Defect Engineering Manager

Title:Manager, Defect Engineering

Department:Cell

Report To:Director, Cell

Location: Holland, MI

Work Arrangement: On-site

Employment Type:Full-Time

Employment Classification:Exempt

Schedule: Monday – Friday, standard business hours | Schedule may vary based on business needs. Occasional support outside normal business hours may be required for international coordination.

Benefits: LG Energy Solution offers a competitive total rewards package, including 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for eligible employees
, paid time off, a 401(k) with company match, and additional voluntary benefits. Benefit eligibility and plan details are subject to the applicable benefit plans.

LG Energy Solution Michigan, Inc. is a global leader in advanced lithium-ion battery technology, delivering innovative battery solutions for electric vehicles (EVs) and Energy Storage Systems (ESS). With expanding operations across the United States, we are committed to innovation, quality, safety, and sustainability while powering the future of clean energy. Join our team and help shape the next generation of advanced battery technology.

The Manager, Defect Engineering is responsible for leading defect reduction and continuous improvement activities within lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing operations. This position leads engineering efforts to identify, analyze, and eliminate defects related to contamination, equipment, processes, materials, and manufacturing conditions.

The Manager provides technical and people leadership to the Defect Engineering team, drives root cause analysis and corrective actions, monitors key quality and process indicators, and partners cross-functionally with Production, Quality, Equipment, Process Engineering, and other teams to improve product quality and manufacturing performance. This role also supports the development of a quality-focused culture through technical leadership, training, standardization, and continuous improvement.

• Lead the Defect Engineering team and establish priorities aligned with quality, production, and business objectives.
• Develop and execute strategies to reduce manufacturing defects, contamination, and process-related quality issues.
• Monitor defect trends, KPIs, and process performance to identify risks and improvement opportunities.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective and preventive actions for recurring or significant manufacturing defects.
• Drive equipment, process, procedural, and environmental improvements to prevent defect recurrence.
• Partner with Production, Quality, Equipment, Process Engineering, and other cross-functional teams to resolve internal and external quality concerns.
• Review manufacturing and quality data to identify trends, abnormalities, and potential sources of defects.
• Establish and maintain defect reduction standards, controls, procedures, and improvement plans.
• Ensure corrective actions are implemented, documented, and evaluated for effectiveness.
• Provide technical direction and support for complex defect investigations and manufacturing issues.
• Communicate defect performance, risks, countermeasures, and improvement progress to leadership and key stakeholders.
• Develop and deliver training related to defect prevention, contamination control, process changes, and quality best practices.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on product quality, process capability, operational efficiency, and defect prevention.
• Promote a culture of quality, accountability, problem-solving, and continuous improvement throughout manufacturing operations.
• Maintain cleanliness at work-site in accordance with 5S3R Standards:
  • Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain
  • Right Location, Right Quantity, Right Container
• Perform other duties as assigned

• Lead by example by demonstrating LG Energy Solution’s Core Values, policies, standards, and expected leadership behaviors in all actions and decisions.
• Foster a safe, respectful, inclusive, and accountable work environment and ensure employees understand expectations for safety, quality, attendance, performance, and workplace conduct.
• Set clear goals, responsibilities, and performance expectations for employees and hold team members accountable for results.
• Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, recognition, and development to strengthen employee performance, capability, and engagement.
• Complete performance management activities accurately and on time, including goal…