Production Systems Engineer, Operational Excellence

Job Description

Job Description

Who we are

Powerus builds an American autonomous systems platform that moves, protects, and sustains critical assets in the world’s most demanding environments. We blend autonomy, manufacturing, and operational expertise to serve defense, national security, critical infrastructure, and commercial customers globally.

Purpose

Advance resilient autonomous technologies that elevate safety, reinforce national security, and extend capabilities in complex operations.

Why this role matters

As we scale across new programs and sites, we need durable processes, dependable throughput, and data-driven execution. You’ll be a key builder of our operational foundation.

Role at a glance Process design and optimization

• Engineer production processes that meet targets for safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Analyze flows to remove waste and elevate efficiency.
• Author and maintain standard work, process documentation, and specifications.
• Lead corrective actions using 8D, 5 Whys, and Ishikawa analysis.
• Instrument processes with KPIs and SPC for visibility and control.
• Drive Lean and Six Sigma improvements.

Operations support

• Serve as on-floor engineering support for day-to-day production needs.
• Troubleshoot equipment and process issues to minimize downtime.
• Partner with maintenance on reliability upgrades and PM strategies.
• Build business cases for capital equipment and process changes.
• Enable capacity increases and optimize line balance and workflow.

Industrialization (NPI)

• Prepare new products for manufacture and validate readiness for volume.
• Produce process flow diagrams, work instructions, tooling/fixture lists, and control plans.
• Coordinate DFM with design engineering to simplify builds and cut cost.
• Participate in formal DFM reviews.

Quality and compliance

• Elevate process capability and product quality in partnership with Quality.
• Execute and support CAPA.
• Plan and run process validations and capability studies.
• Meet safety, environmental, and regulatory obligations; support audits.

Project leadership

• Own CI and capital projects from scoping to launch.
• Define schedules, budgets, and resources; report status to leadership.
• Contribute to facility expansion, automation, and modernization initiatives.

Qualifications Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial Engineering, or related technical field.

Experience

• 3–7 years in a production manufacturing or process engineering role.
• Demonstrated NPI and production ramp experience.
• Hands-on lean/CI delivery on the shop floor.

Core competencies

• Lean/Six Sigma; process development and standard work creation.
• Problem solving via 8D, 5 Whys, fishbone; PFMEA and control plans.
• DFM and specification of tooling and fixtures.
• Statistical Process Control and data-centric analysis.
• ERP and CAD experience; advanced Excel capability.

Preferred

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt.
• Automation/robotics/modernization exposure.
• Background in aerospace, automotive, or industrial manufacturing.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS9100, or other regulated frameworks.

How you work

• Kaizen mindset
• Lean manufacturing principles
• Single-piece flow orientation

Tools & technologies

• NetSuite (ERP), CAD platforms, and advanced Excel

Life at Powerus

Build systems that matter, with a team that values precision, speed, and integrity. Your work will directly shape how autonomous platforms are produced and scaled.