Navitas Systems LLC, a leader in comprehensive energy storage solutions, was formed in 2011 with the merger of MicroSun Innovative Energy Storage Solutions and MicroSun Electronics, and the acquisition of lithium battery company A123 Systems’ Government Solutions Group. In 2019, East Penn Manufacturing, one of the world’s leading battery manufacturers, acquired majority interest in Navitas Systems. In SEVEN remarkable decades, East Penn has grown from a one-room shop with a product line of five automotive batteries to one of the world’s leading battery manufacturers with over 10,500 full-time employees, 515 product designs, operations around the world, and hundreds of awards for industry excellence.

At our Navitas facilities we engage in the research, design, development, and manufacture of advanced lithium cells and energy storage products and systems for both commercial customers and U.S. Government/military customers. We invest in our people, they are and always will be the heart of this company. Are you ready to join a family-owned enterprise committed to honoring the contributions of everyone? Then Navitas is the right place for you.

Overview

Navitas is ready to invest in you! We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Advanced Manufacturing Engineer in Ann Arbor, Michigan to relocate, improve, and automate our lithium-ion battery formation equipment to our Center of Excellence manufacturing facility.

Responsibilities

Oversee the analysis, design, and optimization of lithium-ion battery manufacturing processes to improve cycle times, yield, quality, and cost efficiency.
Implement and champion continuous improvement initiatives using methodologies such as Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Kaizen, with a focus on the specific challenges and demands of battery manufacturing.
Lead root cause analysis for production issues related to battery cell quality, capacity degradation, and safety concerns, and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Oversee development of key documents for new processes, such as PFMEA, Work Instructions, Preventative Maintenance Schedules, Spare Parts, etc.
Lead and manage complex engineering projects related to lithium-ion battery manufacturing, from concept to implementation, ensuring alignment with cost, quality, and timeline objectives.
Evaluate, source, and implement advanced lithium-ion battery manufacturing equipment to support scaling production and increasing efficiency. This includes equipment for cell assembly, electrode coating, battery formation, testing, and packaging.
Collaborate closely with battery equipment suppliers to assess equipment capabilities, performance, and compatibility with existing production systems.
Lead the selection, installation, and commissioning of new manufacturing equipment specific to lithium-ion battery production, ensuring it meets stringent performance, safety, and efficiency standards.
Assess lifecycle costs of manufacturing equipment, including maintenance, spare parts, and energy consumption, to drive cost-effective purchasing and investment decisions.
Evaluate automation solutions and robotics specifically suited for battery assembly and testing, to enhance production capacity and quality control.
Collaborate with Production, Design Engineering, Quality Assurance, Safety, R&D, Supply Chain, and other teams to ensure seamless operations and integration of new technologies into the battery production process.
Partner with the procurement team to evaluate suppliers and support the selection of new materials, raw materials, and equipment, ensuring they meet industry-specific requirements for lithium-ion battery manufacturing.
Review new part prints from the Design Team and suggest improvements for manufacturability (Design For Manufacturing & Assembly).
Identify requirements for moving the pack line equipment, such as layout and utilities.
Ensure that all manufacturing processes comply with environmental, health, safety, and regulatory standards specific to the battery manufacturing industry, including lithium-ion battery safety regulations and industry certifications (e.g., UN38.3, UL).
Promote a culture of safety and continuous improvement, ensuring best practices are followed across all operations, particularly in relation to the handling of materials and processes that involve battery cells and electrolytes.
Utilize data analysis and performance metrics to drive decisions that improve manufacturing performance, focusing on key indicators such as battery capacity, energy density, cycle life, and defect rates.
Oversee the collection and interpretation of key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor the efficiency and quality of the battery manufacturing process
Follow Company Policies and Procedures
Physical presence on the job is essential and necessary
Other duties as assigned by management

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree and in Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
Minimum of 5+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, within the lithium-ion battery manufacturing industry is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Must be comfortable supporting US-military funded work and building products for military testing and use.
Knowledge of lithium-ion battery production processes, battery formation such as charging, discharging, capacity, cycle life, and safety testing is preferred.
Proven experience in sourcing, evaluating, and implementing manufacturing equipment.
Experience with high-volume manufacturing processes, such as automated assembly lines, robots, conveyors, PLCs, MES data collection systems, and testing preferably related to battery cell production.
Proven experience working with cross-functional teams and managing complex projects in a manufacturing environment.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing priorities.
Familiarity with Industry 4.0 concepts and smart manufacturing, particularly in battery production.
Experience with CAD software, ERP systems, and data analysis tools.
Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex manufacturing issues and implement practical solutions.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
Up to 20% travel, including supplier visits, equipment FATs.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS: To conform to U.S. Government International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) the individual must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

East Penn Benefits

Navitas/East Penn offers excellent benefits:

Competitive compensation
Group health insurance that includes high quality medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage with a low employee premium
Retirement Savings Plan with company match and a 3% employer contribution
Paid company holidays and Paid Time Off (PTO)
Employee assistance program
Fitness Discounts
Promotional opportunities

At Navitas/East Penn, our employees are our culture; our employees will always be the heart of the company. We are a private, family-owned enterprise committed to cultivating an atmosphere that honors the contributions of everyone. We want our employees to have long-term careers, and many do. More than 38% of our workforce has over a decade of service. Our open-door management policy, comprehensive benefits package, employee appreciation and recognition events, and career advancement opportunities are just some of the ways we show our employees how incredibly valued they are.

EOE/VEVRAA