Electrical Engineering Manager

Manager – Depot Operations & Field Return RepairMainspring Energy manufactures and delivers fuel-flexible, low-emissions local power solutions that rapidly add new capacity and deliver reliable, affordable, and sustainable electric power. The company began commercial shipments of its Mainspring Linear Generators in 2020 and today has hundreds of megawatts in advanced development and field operations for leading Fortune 500 companies, data centers, and utilities. Mainspring also partners with global energy leaders including AEP, NextEra Energy Resources, Schneider Electric, and more.The core values that ground our work, guide our decisions, and connect us together:Pragmatic OptimismExcellence without EgoProactive CollaborationJob Overview The Manager – Depot Operations & Field Return Repair is responsible for the end-to-end lifecycle management of all field-returned electronic control assemblies supporting the installed fleet of Linear Generators (LGENs). This role owns the complete reverse logistics process for electronic field replaceable units (FRUs), including return authorization, receiving, diagnostics, repair, testing, refurbishment, inventory replenishment, warranty administration, engineering feedback, and redeployment into the field. The objective is to maximize fleet availability by ensuring repaired electronics are returned to inventory quickly, reliably, and with full traceability while continuously improving product reliability through structured failure analysis.Lead the complete reverse logistics process for field-returned electronic assemblies from RMA authorization through repair, testing, refurbishment, and redeploymentManage daily depot operations to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality repair of electronic field replaceable units (FRUs)Establish standardized repair, testing, and quality control procedures for all electronic assembliesEnsure exchange inventory is available to support rapid replacement of failed field electronics and maximize customer uptimeDevelop and manage repair technicians, test technicians, and depot support personnel while promoting a culture of operational excellenceDrive improvements in repair turnaround time, first-pass repair yield, inventory accuracy, and overall depot productivityPartner with the FOA (Field Analytics) and Field Service teams to prioritize critical repairs and respond to customer escalationsCollaborate with Engineering and Product Development to identify recurring failure modes and implement corrective actions that improve fleet reliabilityWork with Supply Chain and Supplier Quality to recover warranty costs, improve supplier performance, and maintain component availabilityDevelop depot capacity plans, staffing models, repair tooling requirements, and capital investment plans to support fleet growthImplement Lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives to eliminate waste and improve depot performanceMonitor key operational metrics and communicate performance through regular business reviews and executive reportingEducationBachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical disciplineMaster's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or Business Administration preferredExperience10+ years of experience in industrial electronics manufacturing, depot repair operations, or field service supportMinimum of 5 years leading technical operations or repair organizationsExperience supporting industrial power generation, distributed energy systems, automation equipment, or other mission-critical industrial productsExperience managing reverse logistics and repairable asset programsExperience leading cross-functional teams across Engineering, Supply Chain, Service, and QualityExperience developing repair procedures, functional test processes, and quality systemsTechnical SkillsStrong understanding of industrial electronic control systemsExperience with PCB troubleshooting and component-level repairKnowledge of embedded controllers, PLCs, power electronics, and industrial communication protocolsFamiliarity with firmware management and configuration controlWorking knowledge of ERP, service management, and inventory systemsStrong analytical and root cause investigation skillsExperience using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologiesThe ideal candidate demonstratesA strong customer-first mindset with a focus on maximizing fleet availabilityOperational discipline and the ability to build repeatable, scalable processesExcellent technical judgment in electronics diagnostics and repair operationsStrong communication skills with the ability to influence engineering, operations, and executive stakeholdersA data-driven approach to decision-making and continuous improvementA passion for developing people, coaching technical teams, and fostering accountabilityThe ability to balance short-term operational demands with long-term strategic improvements to depot capability and fleet reliabilityPreferred CertificationsIPC-A-610IPC-7711/7721IPC J-STD-001Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black BeltCertified Reliability Engineer (CRE)APICS CPIM or CSCPSuccess in this RoleBuilding a depot organization that consistently delivers repair turnaround times of less than five business daysEstablishing standardized repair, testing, firmware management, and quality control processes across all electronic assembliesImplementing complete asset traceability from field removal through repair and redeploymentDeveloping performance dashboards that provide visibility into depot throughput, repair quality, warranty costs, inventory health, and fleet reliabilityCreating a structured feedback loop between Depot Operations, Engineering, Supplier Quality, and Product Management that drives measurable improvements in product reliabilityBuilding a highly engaged technical team focused on safety, quality, customer responsiveness, and continuous improvementSupporting fleet availability exceeding 99.5% through reliable execution of the electronics repair and exchange programScaling depot operations efficiently to support future fleet growth without compromising repair quality or customer service$130,000 - $153,000 a year This position is onsite at our Menlo Park HQ. The salary will be adjusted to reflect local market conditions based on employee location as well as the experience of the employee. Along with the base salary, Mainspring offers pre-IPO stock options + benefits.Does your experience not meet all of our posted requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to positions unless they meet every listed requirement. At Mainspring, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, flexible, and collaborative environment, so if you want to help us transition the world to clean and affordable electricity, and don't meet all posted requirements for a particular role, we'd still love to hear from you. Mainspring can sometimes be flexible enough to shift responsibilities for the right person, or otherwise identify open or upcoming roles that may better fit your professional background.Mainspring Energy, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.This compensation and benefits information is based on Mainspring Energy's estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future. We generally do not negotiate on salary once we have made an offer. The level of pay within the range will depend on a variety of job-related factors that may include location, relevant prior experience and/or education, or particular skills and expertise. New hires joining the company tend to be paid within the starting base pay range noted above, with opportunities to increase pay over time based on development of additional skills, competencies, and company-specific knowledge.