Engineering Manager

TAF Carbon is looking for an Engineering Manager to lead our Process Scale‑Up & Manufacturing effort, bridging the gap between R&D scientists and industrial manufacturing partners to bring carbon foam materials to commercial scale. Key Responsibilities Lead the translation of laboratory and pilot‑scale carbon foam processes into robust, reproducible industrial manufacturing operations, including testing, certification, prototyping, and product launch. Hands‑on engineering and problem‑solving in a fast‑growing start‑up environment. Define and implement process control and improvement frameworks (Six Sigma, SPC, MSA) to establish and sustain process capability across manufacturing environments. Drive continuous improvement in process efficiency, energy performance, heating uniformity, cost of goods, and time to market. Develop and evaluate innovative approaches to mold design, heating technology, and process configuration that enable scalable, high‑throughput production. Establish and maintain high engineering standards, including documentation, design review processes, and technical governance. Manufacturing Partner Development Identify, qualify, and develop long‑term technical relationships with external manufacturing partners. Serve as TAF Carbon’s primary technical interface with manufacturing operations, ensuring alignment on process requirements, quality standards, and scale‑up milestones. Collaborate with R&D teammates to translate research outcomes into manufacturable processes and clear manufacturing inputs, streamlining time to market. Team & Organization Mentor and grow a high‑performing engineering team, fostering a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and pragmatic problem‑solving. Support project planning, prioritization, and budgeting in alignment with organizational goals and timelines. Partner with leadership on strategic product and manufacturing roadmaps across all phases of commercial development. Model a culture of demanding excellence, scientific rigor, problem‑solving, and challenging conventional corporate culture. Longer‑Term Contributions Lead engineering contributions to new product development and cost reduction from the process and tooling side. Contribute to early planning and capability‑building for TAF Carbon’s future manufacturing assets. Develop and maintain strong customer relationships, supporting tailored product solutions and long‑term partnerships. Skills & Requirements Education / Experience Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering (or related field). 8+ years of progressive engineering experience in industry with 3+ years in a leadership or management role. Demonstrated track record taking a material or chemical process from lab or pilot scale to industrial production. Deep working knowledge of foamed materials and the industrial processes used to make them: polymer foams, carbon foams, ceramic foams, or closely analogous materials. Hands‑on experience with mold design and molding processes, including thermal analysis, dead mass minimization, and scale‑up. Experience designing or improving industrial heating systems – convective or other non‑conventional approaches is a strong plus. Experience working with toll manufacturers or contract manufacturers as a technical owner, not just a customer. Proven expertise in Statistical Process Control (SPC), Measurement System Analysis (MSA), and process capability (Cpk, Ppk) – you use these instinctively. Expertise with Design of Experiments (DOE) for process optimization. Experience with continuous or semi‑continuous manufacturing line concepts (belt press, or equivalent) is a strong plus. Experience with controlled atmosphere processing and/or high‑temperature industrial environments preferred. Experience in gas handling, exhaust treatment and waste heat collection and re‑use is a plus. Proven track record driving product qualification, regulatory certification and new product introduction. Specific Skills / Abilities You distinguish a research result from a manufacturable process and communicate it. Strong process and systems mindset – experience implementing design control, setting and meeting specifications, and moving product from lab to pilot to prototype to full manufacturing. Skilled in partner engagement, technical presentations, and developing tailored engineering solutions. Able to work at the bench and on the whiteboard for manufacturing line design the same week. Excellent leadership, communication, and mentoring skills with a collaborative, hands‑on approach. Entrepreneurial drive: comfortable with ambiguity, fast iteration, and doing more with less. Benefits Fast‑paced, entrepreneurial culture focused on innovation. Flexible, autonomous work environment. Culture of respect, learning, and excellence. Experienced, highly talented experts as team peers. Growth and travel opportunities. Impact on people and the planet. Position Engineering Manager Employment Type Full‑Time Location On‑Site, Syracuse, NY Compensation Base salary range: $140,000 USD - $160,000 USD. #J-18808-Ljbffr