Advanced Manufacturing Engineer, Automation and Equipment Design

Advanced Manufacturing Engineer (Process & Equipment Design)

Estes develops and manufactures exceptional zero-emission power systems that unlock true scale and performance for the electrification of the commercial vehicle and equipment markets. Estes will democratize electrification by enabling powertrain solutions at better cost and performance than diesel solutions, for both high-volume established OEMs making thousands of vehicles per year, and industry newcomers making next generation electrified vehicles and equipment.

Here's the ugly truth. Approximately 3.9 million barrels of diesel fuel (equal to 5.8 Terawatt-hours of energy) are consumed every day across the United States, mostly by commercial vehicles and equipment. That's 1.66 megatonnes of CO2 GHG emissions every day. That's 353 kilotonnes of NOx and 9.92 kilotonnes of SOx gases emitted, poisoning our people and planet, every day. We exist to move the needle on transitioning a century old diesel burning industry to electric.

What are our principles to solve this problem? Simple.

1. Start with People

• A company can only be as good as its people.
• Generate a gravity well to attract the people of the best character and competence.
• Foster an incredible culture where the best people work together to solve deeply meaningful problems.

2. Drive solutions from first principles with a 3rd generation approach

• Architect and engineer systems to make a simple, reliable, and cost-competitive product.
• Liberate lightweight and low or zero carbon footprint materials that can be used in automotive-grade processes at scale.
• Solve the battery cell multi-chemistry problem to serve both mass-sensitive and cost-sensitive commercial markets.

3. Make things. Here.

• Raw material in. Product out. In the United States.
• Put the right atoms together - at scale - in a cost-efficient manner.
• Partner with the best technology partners. Cells. Electronics. Materials. We will innovate together and share success with those who dare to be bold with us.

The Impact You'll Make / About the Role: An Associate Equipment Design and Process Development Engineer will focus on development of new manufacturing lines, including equipment and process. You Will

• Conceive, design and implement new processes & equipment
• Collaborate with suppliers to develop new advanced equipment and methods
• Concept, design and built inhouse fixtures and tooling for prototype and manufacturing
• Develop battery pack assembly line DFM, automation and process projects
• Specify equipment and develop processes based on product design requirements and tolerances
• Champion manufacturing equipment and processes from concept through factory launch
• Conceive and implement new processes to allow manufacturing of high-quality batteries
• Develop equipment calibration and validation plans for prototype and production equipment
• Work cross functionally with internal and external teams, providing light project management of development schedule
• Create work instructions based on developed assembly processes
• Procure new manufacturing tools and accessories necessary for supporting a production line
• Work cross functionally with internal and external teams to ensure equipment development launch success
• Provide analysis to confirm equipment and processes are meeting requirements

About You

• Proactive and able to work independently
• Creative and confident in bringing new ideas to the team
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality, establish trust and credibility, and act with complete integrity
• Detail-oriented, resourceful, and diligent
• Flexible and open to change
• Demonstrate sound judgment and problem-solving skills including challenging assumptions
• Able to prioritize tasks and manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills

Your Experience Includes

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or similar technical field.
• 0-2 years experience in MFG engineering, equipment design, process development, applicable classwork or internships;
• Experience designing fixtures and jigs, integrating various automation and data collecting elements
• CAD/Catia Experience
• Experience with manufacturing environments
• Experience managing a project with cost, safety, performance, and schedule metrics
• Providing DFM for new hardware design
• Demonstrated ability to keep projects on track and ensure the timely launch of your projects

Bonus

• Subject matter experience in electromechanical assembly
• Developing new automation cells or equipment to support manufacturing production experience
• Project Management experience
• Programming experience
• Battery safety experience
• Electrical Panel/Controls experience

Working at Estes: Our Core Tenets

At Estes, we operate with shared values and virtues that set our culture. We are a small, deeply technical team with ambitious goals. Reason from First Principles

• We don't solely rely on precedent, anecdotes — we ask "why," challenge assumptions, and get to the root of every problem before building up from fundamentals.

Only Data Can Save Us

• We prioritize experimentation over speculation. We build orthogonal approaches towards data test hypotheses, and we deeply care about data integrity. This is what separates data from lore.

Take Deep Ownership and Excel at Your Craft

• You are never on an island, we work for each other, and together. Along with that, every team member is empowered and expected to own and lead. We take full ownership of our domains and continuously refine our skills with intellectual honesty and humility.

Design for Cost and Scale at Every Stage

• Whether we're building a prototype or defining a spec, we're always asking: How will this scale? How does it become affordable?

Operate with Good Faith and Accountability

• We trust each other's intent and integrity. We challenge directly, support wholeheartedly, and hold ourselves and each other to high standards.

Commitment to Diverse Perspectives and Equal Opportunity At Estes, we are building a team grounded in competence, character, and mutual respect. We believe diverse perspectives are essential to solving meaningful and complex problems of our industry. We provide a workplace free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, and we ensure equal opportunity in all employment practices. Every team member is valued for their contributions and empowered to grow in a culture of integrity, autonomy, and shared purpose. This is a full-time role with a base salary of $90,000–$120,000 and meaningful equity participation. Compensation is tailored to experience and role scope. Benefits include health, dental, vision, and a 401(k).