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Production Systems Lead - MES

Garden Grove, CA

About Harbinger

Harbinger Motors Inc. is a Southern California-based electric vehicle manufacturer on a mission to transform the automotive and transportation industries, bringing to market EVs developed from the ground up to address the needs of the Medium Duty vehicle industry. This broad, and to date poorly addressed, market segment includes class 4 to 7 commercial delivery vehicles, RVs and utility vehicles, among others. Leveraging a foundation of proprietary, in-house developed vehicle technologies, Harbinger's first-of-its-kind EV platform will bring enhancements in vehicle performance, durability and operator comfort. And importantly, Harbinger's vehicles will be priced for zero acquisition premium relative to traditional gas- and diesel-based competitors, removing one of the most tenacious barriers to EV adoption.

Harbinger's team, with operations in Southern California and Michigan, includes industry veterans with expertise in powertrain, battery, chassis and software development, along with leaders in advanced manufacturing, corporate development, operations and finance. Our team members come from leading innovators, both in and out of the automotive industry, including Tesla, Rivian, Canoo, Ford, Anduril, and SpaceX.

Founded in 2021, Harbinger is a venture-backed startup on a rapid growth trajectory, looking for candidates that thrive on tackling complex challenges and who share in our passion to bring clean transportation alternatives to a segment of the market starving for innovation.

 

Job Overview

The Automotive MES (Manufacturing Execution System) Implementation Leader will be responsible for leading the successful deployment and continuous improvement of MES solutions across manufacturing operations. This role requires strong technical knowledge of MES systems, hands-on experience in automotive manufacturing processes, and proven leadership skills to manage cross-functional teams. The MES Implementation Leader will work closely with IT, engineering, production, and quality teams to ensure the system aligns with operational goals, enhances production efficiency, and complies with industry standards.

What You’ll Do:

  1. Project Management & Leadership:
    • Lead MES implementation projects from initiation to completion, ensuring alignment with business objectives and timelines.
    • Coordinate with stakeholders across departments including production, quality, IT, and supply chain.
    • Manage project resources, timelines, and budgets while ensuring compliance with automotive industry standards.
  2. MES System Deployment:
    • Plan and oversee the configuration, customization, and integration of MES solutions within manufacturing environments.
    • Collaborate with system vendors, internal IT teams, and external partners to ensure successful system installation, testing, and validation.
    • Develop detailed implementation plans, including timelines, milestones, and deliverables.
  3. Stakeholder Communication & Training:
    • Serve as the primary point of contact between MES vendors, internal teams, and leadership.
    • Communicate project progress, challenges, and deliverables to stakeholders.
    • Provide training and support to end-users, ensuring proper usage of the MES system for optimal performance.
  4. Process Improvement & Optimization:
    • Continuously analyze and assess manufacturing processes and MES performance, identifying areas for improvement.
    • Develop and implement best practices, including automation and data analytics solutions, to enhance production efficiency and quality control.
    • Ensure that MES systems align with lean manufacturing principles and automotive industry standards (e.g., IATF 16949, ISO 9001).
  5. Data Integration & Reporting:
    • Oversee data integration between MES, ERP, PLM and other production systems, ensuring accurate and timely information flow.
    • Implement reporting mechanisms to provide real-time visibility into production status, quality metrics, and performance KPIs.
  6. Compliance & Risk Management:
    • Ensure that the MES system adheres to relevant industry regulations, including safety, quality, and environmental standards.
    • Identify potential risks associated with MES implementation and mitigate them through contingency planning.
  7. Continuous Improvement & Support:
    • Provide ongoing support for MES systems, addressing technical issues and upgrading functionalities as needed.
    • Lead post-implementation reviews to identify areas for system improvements and future enhancements.

Who You Are:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field (Master's preferred).
  • Minimum 5+ years of experience in MES implementation, particularly within the automotive industry.
  • Strong knowledge of automotive manufacturing processes, industry standards (IATF 16949, ISO 9001), and lean manufacturing principles.
  • Proven experience in project management, including leading cross-functional teams and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Familiarity with MES software such as Siemens Opcenter, Rockwell Automation, or equivalent.
  • Hands-on experience with ERP, PLCs, and SCADA systems integration.
  • Strong problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
  • PMP or similar certification is a plus.

Soft Skills:

  • Excellent leadership and team management abilities.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills to engage stakeholders at all levels.
  • Problem-solving mindset with the ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
  • Ability to foster collaboration across diverse teams and departments.

This job requires a deep understanding of both technology and automotive manufacturing, along with a leadership mindset to ensure seamless MES implementation and continued success.

Rev up your career with our electrifying compensation and benefits package! At Harbinger Motors, we understand that your skills, experience, and expertise are as unique as our cutting-edge electric vehicles. That's why we tailor our offers to suit your individual profile, considering your years of experience, specialized knowledge, and market demands.

In addition to a competitive base salary, our perks charge ahead of the competition:

  • 100% Comprehensive Health Coverage: You and your loved ones are covered with top-tier medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Accelerate Your Wealth: As an early stage employee, you'll have the opportunity to rev up your financial future with early-stage stock options.
  • Unleash Your Time: Take control of your work-life balance. Salaried teammates receive flexible PTO and the freedom to celebrate holidays and wellness days as you see fit.
  • Cruise into Vacations: Enjoy an exciting annual vacation stipend to help you recharge your batteries.
  • Fuel Your Day: Forget brown bag lunches; we've got you covered with paid lunches and dinners to keep you energized.

These are just a few of our benefits and perks, as we're constantly adjusting and adding more benefits to best serve our teammates. At Harbinger Motors, we don't just offer jobs; we provide the fuel for your career journey. Join us in shaping the future of sustainable transportation, where your hard work and dedication are always rewarded.

Get ready to drive your career forward with us!

California Pay Range

$130,000 - $160,000 USD

Equal Opportunity
Harbinger is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.
 
Harbinger is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at info@harbingermotors.com.
 
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Harbinger may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes (“Candidate Personal Data”). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Harbinger may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.
 
Harbinger may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our HR, legal, and finance teams, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Harbinger affiliates; and (iii) Harbinger’s service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.
 
Harbinger may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions.
 
Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services. Any unsolicited resumes or candidate profiles submitted in response to our job posting shall be considered the property of Harbinger and are not subject to payment of referral or placement fees if any such candidate is later hired by Harbinger unless you have a signed written agreement in place with us which covers the applicable job posting.

 

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