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Director of Manufacturing Engineering Job Description

Ion Storage Systems is scaling its solid-state battery manufacturing from a low-throughput prototype line to a high-volume automated production line - a >100x increase in throughput. We're looking for a Director of Manufacturing Engineering to lead this transformation, with the primary mandate being equipment and automation: designing, specifying, and integrating the automated systems that will carry us from prototype to high-volume production. Process engineering support is part of the role, but the center of gravity is machine design, controls, robotics, and line architecture - not process/yield work.

This is not a role for someone who only optimizes an existing process, or who has only ever integrated a single automation cell in isolation. We need a leader who has designed and built the automated equipment and line architecture behind a major scale-up before - from pilot volumes to high-volume, automated production - ideally in battery, semiconductor, MEMS, or another precision manufacturing environment.

What You'll Do

• Own the equipment and automation roadmap to take our prototype line to >100x throughput: line architecture, automated material handling, robotics, in-line metrology/inspection, and process control systems.
• Lead line design and layout from an equipment-first perspective - bottleneck/constraint analysis, line balancing, and capacity modeling driven by machine and station design.
• Direct the design, specification, and build/integration of automation systems, partnering closely with equipment vendors and integrators, and building custom equipment in-house where it makes sense.
• Own capital equipment planning: build-vs-buy decisions, vendor selection, equipment budgets, and project timelines
• Establish the controls, in-line inspection, and equipment-level metrics needed to run a high-volume automated line reliably and continuously (OEE, uptime, in-line inspection, traceability).
• Build and lead a team weighted toward automation, controls, and equipment engineers, with process engineering support embedded.
• Partner with cell and metrology engineers to ensure equipment designs accommodate cell process requirements

What You Bring

• 10+ years in automation/equipment/manufacturing engineering, with at least one prior experience designing and building the automated equipment behind a major scale-up (pilot/prototype → high-volume automated production) - this is the single most important qualifier.
• Deep, hands-on experience in automation and equipment engineering: machine design, robotics, controls (PLC/motion/vision systems), in-line metrology/inspection, and line integration.
• Experience leading and successfully executing multiple projects in parallel, through all phases of design, from early concept through validation and handoff.
• Demonstrated excellence at building and leading teams. Experience managing team members to emphasize their strengths and support their professional development.
• Strong systems-level thinking: comfortable with capacity/throughput modeling, constraint analysis, and translating that into a concrete roadmap.
• B.Eng. M.Eng, B.Sc. M.Sc. in Mechanical, Electrical/Controls, Chemical, or Materials Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related discipline.

Preferred:

Background in battery, semiconductor, MEMS, or another precision, high-throughput manufacturing industry strongly preferred

Department: Cell Engineering

Location: Beltsville, MD (On-Site)

Reports To: SVP Cell Engineering

Benefits:

In addition to a competitive salary and meaningful equity upside, we offer the following company benefits:

• Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance
• RSU options with significant upside as the company scales towards a public offering
• Hybrid - in-person preferred at our Beltsville, MD headquarters
• Company and floating holidays
• 17 days of PTO to start, with increase upon tenure
• 401k plan with a 4% company match beginning after first paycheck
• Wellness allowance of $1k annually

Company Description

Ion Storage Systems Inc., located in Beltsville, MD, is a rapidly growing company commercializing its breakthrough lithium metal battery technology based on discoveries made at the University of Maryland. The company is committed to developing products that will impact everyday life on a global scale. Our technology improves product performance and safety in a variety of applications including, defense and aerospace, consumer electronics, electrified transportation, and renewable energy storage. Our team is made up of innovative, driven & creative individuals who are passionate about their work. The company offers an inclusive environment, growth opportunities and encourages work/life balance.

To all recruitment agencies: Ion Storage Systems, Inc. will not accept agency resumes for this role. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs email, or to any Ion Storage Systems employees or any other company email address. Ion Storage Systems is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

Ion Storage Systems, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, ancestry, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or Veteran status.

*Eligibility to work in the United States as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. permanent resident or having current TN Visa authorization is required for consideration.