Manager, Stator Assembly

Job Purpose

The Manager, Stator Assembly is responsible for building and leading stator assembly operations from early production through full-rate scale, ensuring safe, repeatable, and high-quality manufacturing execution. This role translates engineering intent into disciplined production by establishing standard work, driving process improvements, and maintaining strong control of safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance.

Working closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain, the Manager, Stator Assembly leads day-to-day operations while developing the team, processes, and production systems required to support reliable scale-up. This role combines hands-on execution with operational leadership, owning both immediate build performance and the continuous improvement needed to achieve long-term production readiness.

Duties and Responsibilities

Production Leadership & Execution

• Lead stator assembly operations across all phases of ramp (limited production through full-rate)
• Drive performance against Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SQDC) targets
• Conduct daily go-see-act walks to monitor build progress, issues, and floor conditions
• Lead daily standups and maintain weekly performance reporting to ensure alignment and transparency
• Assign work, manage build priorities, and ensure execution aligns with production schedules

Process & Standard Work Development

• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to develop and deploy standard work, work instructions, torque specifications, and traveler documentation
• Own control plans, line balancing, and cycle-time optimization to improve throughput and efficiency
• Drive lean manufacturing initiatives including 5S and kaizen to continuously improve operations
• Ensure PFMEA risks are mitigated through robust process design and control plan execution rather than inspection

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure disciplined execution of all quality-critical assembly operations (e.g., winding, epoxy/cure processes, ESD controls, electrical and leak testing)
• Maintain full product traceability, including serialized component tracking and configuration control
• Enforce compliance with build travelers and documentation requirements
• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective actions using structured problem-solving methods (8D, 5-Why, fishbone)
• Drive audit readiness and maintain a high standard of quality compliance

Team Leadership & Development

• Supervise, coach, and develop production technicians and contract personnel
• Train team members on processes, tools, safety practices, and quality standards
• Develop and maintain a skills matrix and cross-training program to support scalability
• Foster a culture of accountability, process ownership, and continuous improvement
• Manage performance, attendance, and staffing to ensure consistent coverage

Materials & Flow Management

• Ensure material availability and alignment with production demand and consumption forecasts
• Partner with Supply Chain to address shortages and maintain inventory accuracy
• Maintain work-in-process (WIP) control, FIFO discipline, and organized material flow on the production floor

Scale-Up & Operational Readiness

• Identify process gaps, manufacturability issues, and risks to production readiness
• Support equipment commissioning, tooling validation, and layout improvements
• Contribute to capacity planning, headcount forecasting, and ramp readiness milestones
• Provide feedback to cross-functional teams to improve product and process design for manufacturability

Additional duties and responsibilities as assigned, needed, or required for the business.

Qualifications

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Qualifications include:

• Education, Experience and Certifications
• B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field preferred. MBA with relevant manufacturing or operations experience also considered. Equivalent technical training, military mechanical schooling or trade certification considered.
• Some supervisory or team-lead accountability
• Hands-on experience with electromechanical assembly (stators/rotors, electric motors, generators, EV powertrains, or similar)
• Experience with torque applications, epoxy processes, winding, ESD practices, and electrical/mechanical testing
• Experience in pilot or low-volume build environments where processes are developed, not predefined
• Background in aerospace, automotive EV, or high-reliability electromechanical manufacturing
• Experience scaling operations from prototype to production

• Skills and Abilities
• Proficiency in Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement (5S, Standard Work, PFMEA, root-cause analysis)
• Ability to manage and optimize production processes (line balancing, cycle time, control plans, WIP/FIFO flow)
• Knowledge of quality systems and manufacturing metrics (traceability, audit readiness, SQDC)
• Experience with manufacturing systems and tools (MES, digital travelers, SPC)
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and assembly documentation
• Leadership and team management skills (coaching, performance management, cross-training)
• Strong cross-functional communication and collaboration
• Problem-solving and execution skills (identifying process gaps, supporting scale-up and equipment readiness)
• Ownership mindset with high standards, accountability, and results-driven execution
• Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, ambiguous, early-stage environments

Role Classification and Working Conditions

This is a salaried, exempt-exempt-level position. This position typically works in a production/assembly/engineering lab environment.

Physical/Other Requirements

• Ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods on a production floor
• Ability to perform frequent “go-see-act” walks and move between workstations
• Ability to visually inspect components, assemblies, and production processes
• Ability to occasionally lift or move light-to-moderate weight materials (typical manufacturing environment)
• Ability to work around manufacturing equipment, processes and materials. PPE is provided.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to interact with tools, parts, or demonstration of assembly processes as needed
• Ability to travel, as needed, by plane, automobile, etc.

Direct Reports

This position has or may have direct reports.