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Principal Advanced Manufacturing Engineer - Equipment

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 Summary:

The Principal Advanced Manufacturing Engineer – Equipment plays a key leadership role in the design, development, and implementation of advanced manufacturing equipment and automation solutions for electric vehicle (EV) production. This position focuses on optimizing manufacturing efficiency, ensuring scalability, and driving innovation in EV battery and vehicle assembly processes. The role requires expertise in equipment specification, automation, process validation, and integration of Industry 4.0 technologies.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Lead the development and deployment of advanced manufacturing equipment for EV production, including battery assembly, powertrain systems, and vehicle integration.
  • Define equipment specifications and work with suppliers to procure and validate state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies.
  • Drive automation and smart manufacturing initiatives, leveraging robotics, AI-driven process control, and digital twin technologies.
  • Oversee process validation and commissioning of new equipment, ensuring compliance with quality, safety, and performance standards.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams including R&D, product development, and operations to ensure seamless integration of new equipment.
  • Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities to enhance efficiency, reduce cycle times, and optimize production costs.
  • Develop and maintain predictive maintenance strategies using IoT, machine learning, and data analytics.
  • Ensure compliance with industry standards such as ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and OSHA regulations.
  • Mentor and provide technical leadership to junior engineers and manufacturing teams.
  • Stay ahead of industry trends and emerging technologies to drive innovation in EV manufacturing.

Qualifications & Skills:

  • Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
  • Experience: 10+ years in advanced manufacturing engineering, equipment development, and automation within the automotive or EV industry.
  • Technical Expertise:
    • Deep knowledge of EV battery manufacturing, powertrain assembly, and high-volume vehicle production processes.
    • Strong experience with automation, robotics, PLCs, SCADA, and smart manufacturing systems.
    • Proficiency in CAD/CAM software, simulation tools, and digital factory technologies.
    • Hands-on experience in machine design, process optimization, and predictive maintenance systems.
  • Problem-Solving & Leadership:
    • Proven ability to lead complex projects from concept to full-scale production.
    • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for process troubleshooting and optimization.
    • Effective communication and leadership skills to collaborate across multiple departments.

Preferred Certifications:

  • Six Sigma Black Belt or Lean Manufacturing Certification.
  • PMP (Project Management Professional) certification.
  • Certification in automation or Industry 4.0 technologies.

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 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

$160,000 - $180,000 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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