Who we are:

We're transforming one of the world’s oldest industries with cutting-edge technology and an innovative approach. Backed by top-tier investors and recognized by Time as one of the "best Inventions of 2024" and Fast Company as one of 2024's "Next Big Things in Tech", Electra is scaling rapidly and we're looking for bold, driven individuals to help us reshape the future of iron production. If you're ready to make a real impact in a company that's redefining heavy industry for a cleaner, smarter world, we want to hear from you.

What you will do:

The Manufacturing Engineer III applies comprehensive manufacturing engineering knowledge to support the design, development, implementation, and improvement of electrochemical cell manufacturing processes at Electra. This role works independently on complex assignments, evaluating moderately to highly varied information to develop practical solutions.

The Manufacturing Engineer III translates cell (product) and process requirements into efficient, reliable and repeatable manufacturing methods, contributes to equipment and tooling development, authors-controlled documentation, and collaborates cross functionally to ensure manufacturing readiness. The engineer will transfer the cell build process to higher volume build in the demonstration plant. The engineer will transfer the cell refurbishment process to the demonstration plant. This position will advise others on difficult technical issues and adapt established approaches to fit evolving product development and production needs.

Responsibilities include:

• Develop and pioneer the electrochemical cell build/manufacturing process
• Create and document cell build processes in early prototype activities
• Optimize, and develop the electrochemical cell manufacturing processes for demonstration scale operations and early production activities
• Apply solid understanding of manufacturing process design and electrochemical workflows to resolve moderately complex technical and operational challenges related to quality, cost, performance, safety, and scalability
• Evaluate and recommend manufacturing methods, tooling strategies, and process controls using judgment and interpretation of available information and precedent.
• Develop tooling/equipment to enable the smooth and efficient manufacturing process
• Design, procure, and validate fixtures, jigs, and assembly tooling to support consistent fabrication, assembly, and inspection activities
• Create and maintain manufacturing process workflows, production layouts, and material flow plans aligned with safety, throughput, and efficiency objectives
• Develop and maintain standardized manufacturing documentation including SOPs, work instructions, and process checking/inspection specifications
• Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for manufacturing, yield, and quality issues; contribute recommendations and partner with stakeholders on resolution
• Provide DFM and DFA input to Design Engineering to support manufacturable, cost-effective components and assembly designs
• Collaborate cross functionality (e.g., Design Engineering, Quality Inspection, Operations, Supply Chain) to resolve issues, support process readiness, and drive continuous improvement
• Offer guidance to technicians, machinists, and junior engineers as needed; will lead defined projects without formal supervisory responsibilities
• Utilize CAD (SolidWorks preferred) to develop detailed component, tooling, and assembly models and drawings for internal or external manufacturing
• Interface with vendors to support fabrication, quality expectations, and production timelines
• Maintain a safety-first mindset and ensure compliance with applicable safety, health, and company policies

What we need you to bring to the team:

• Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
• 5+ years of related experience with a bachelor’s degree; 3+ years with a master’s degree; or a PhD without experience (excluding internships, co-ops and other school projects)
• Proven experience supporting manufacturing process development and improvement activities independently
• Strong hands-on experience to build the product
• Familiarity with all typical manufacturing tools (ie. Die cut)
• Full understanding of manufacturing engineering principles, electrochemical processes (preferred), and production readiness
• Ability to assess unusual circumstances, analyze diverse information, and adapt existing approaches to solve problems
• Experience with DFM, DFA, and GD&T (ASME Y14.5)
• Proficiency with Solidworks (or AutoCAD) for component, fixture, and tooling design
• Experience developing SOPs, workflows, and controlled manufacturing documentation
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Effective communication skills with the ability to adjust messaging for different audiences and influence without authority
• Ability to build relationships and collaborate across functional boundaries
• Organized, adaptable, and effective in a fast-paced, evolving startup environment