Launch Manager, Cell Factory Expansion

This role requires a technical program manager who can go deep on equipment and process issues while keeping the whole program moving. The ideal candidate has led multiple production line or factory launches and leads through influence, aligning Cell Industrialization, Cell Process Development, Manufacturing, Quality, Facilities, Controls/MES, EHS, Supply Chain, Finance, and equipment suppliers around a single plan and clear priorities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Own the integrated launch plan for cell factory expansion, covering equipment, facilities and utilities, dry room, controls/MES, process validation, staffing and training, materials, and production ramp.

- Define and run the launch gate process, including readiness criteria, gate reviews, and go/no-go decisions, and report status, risks, and decisions to executive leadership.

- Own the launch budget and capital plan, tracking committed and actual spend, forecasting, and change control together with Finance and Supply Chain.

- Drive the critical path across equipment suppliers and internal teams; identify schedule and technical risks early and lead mitigation and recovery plans.

- Partner with Cell Industrialization on equipment specifications, supplier selection, FAT, installation, and SAT, making sure acceptance criteria include rate, yield, Cpk, uptime, and reliability and maintainability (MTBF/MTTR).

- Partner with Cell Process Development to make sure process specifications, transfer packages, PFMEAs, and control plans are ready ahead of each launch milestone, and that process validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) is complete.

- Coordinate with Facilities and EHS on layout, construction, utilities, dry room readiness, permits, and safety reviews.

- Work with Manufacturing and HR on staffing plans, operator and maintenance training, SOPs, critical spares, and preventive maintenance readiness before handover.

- Own the ramp plan after SAT, tracking OEE, yield, scrap, MTBF, and MTTR by station, leading daily ramp reviews, and driving bottlenecks and open items to closure.

- Lead structured technical problem solving for launch-critical issues, pulling in the right experts and making sure root causes are fixed rather than worked around.

- Capture lessons learned and build a standard launch playbook, templates, and readiness checklists for future expansions and new cell programs.

- Support customer programs, including defense and aerospace programs, with launch status, capacity readiness, audits, and documentation as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience

- Bachelors degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, or Manufacturing Engineering, or a related engineering field. Masters degree or MBA is a plus.

- 8+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, industrialization, or program management in a high-volume manufacturing environment.

- Led at least 2 production line or factory launches, from equipment specification or construction through ramp to rate.

- Lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing experience strongly preferred; automotive, semiconductor, or other high-volume, highly automated manufacturing experience will also be considered.

- Strong technical understanding of automated manufacturing equipment and processes, with the ability to engage directly on equipment, process, and SAT issues.

- Demonstrated ability to own a program schedule and budget, including capital projects, critical-path management, and change control.

- Experience with launch and quality frameworks such as APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, control plans, and IQ/OQ/PQ.

- Working knowledge of equipment and production performance metrics, including OEE, yield, Cpk, MTBF, and MTTR.

- Proven ability to lead through influence across functions and with suppliers, without direct authority.

- Proficiency with project scheduling tools such as MS Project or Smartsheet; PMP certification is a plus.

- Experience with IATF 16949, AS9100, or similar quality systems; experience supporting defense or aerospace customers is a plus.

- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presenting status, risks, and recommendations to executives.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS AND EEO:

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

An individual must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Our Next Energy Inc. (ONE) is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to disability or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.