Principal AME Equipment Engineer, Powertrain

Job Title:

Principal AME Equipment Engineer, Powertrain

Job Description

The Principal AME Equipment Engineer, Powertrain will provide strategic leadership for the design, deployment, and optimization of advanced manufacturing equipment for electric vehicle powertrain lines. This role owns the full equipment lifecycle, from concept and specification through installation, ramp-up, and continuous improvement, with a strong focus on high-precision automation, quality, and safety. The position requires deep technical expertise in Electric Drive Unit and drivetrain assembly, as well as proven experience leading large-scale, highly automated manufacturing projects in a high-volume environment.

Responsibilities

+ Define and implement the long-term process and equipment strategy for EV powertrain manufacturing lines, including precision CNC machining for housings and shafts, winding, motor magnet assembly, component pressing, precision balancing, gearbox assembly, fluid filling, leak and pressure testing, and EDU end-of-line dynamometer performance testing.

+ Lead the complete equipment lifecycle from concept definition, SOR and specification development, vendor selection, detailed design review, FAT and SAT execution, through installation, commissioning, production ramp-up, and ongoing continuous improvement.

+ Plan and lead new powertrain assembly line setups, including process flow definition, layout development, and installation of new lines, while managing integration of utilities such as compressed air, specialized coolants and oils, and high-voltage power.

+ Ensure seamless integration of automation cells, heavy material handling systems, and supporting equipment into existing and new manufacturing environments.

+ Serve as the technical subject matter expert for all powertrain equipment, applying deep knowledge of high-precision automation, servo and torque control fastening, process control methods such as force and displacement monitoring, and quality inspection systems including NDT, metrology, and gear inspection.

+ Drive Design for Manufacturing and Design for Assembly initiatives with powertrain product engineering teams to optimize EDU and chassis component designs for automated assembly, reducing complexity and maximizing process capability in critical mechanical and electrical processes.

+ Partner with Tier 1 equipment suppliers, leading complex technical discussions, negotiating precise equipment specifications, and ensuring on-time delivery while meeting quality, performance, and cost targets.

+ Lead process optimization and validation activities to improve equipment performance, OEE, yield, and cycle time using statistical process control, design of experiments, root cause analysis, PFMEA, and control plans.

+ Collaborate closely with Product Design, Quality, Controls, and Operations teams to ensure successful project execution and smooth integration of new equipment into production, with particular focus on the marriage of the EDU with the chassis structure.

+ Apply structured problem-solving and rigorous data analysis to identify issues, implement robust corrective actions, and sustain improvements in equipment and process performance.

+ Provide technical guidance, mentoring, and leadership across cross-functional teams to promote best practices in advanced manufacturing engineering and high-precision automation.

+ Support domestic and international travel as needed to visit suppliers, support equipment builds and buy-offs, and oversee installation and ramp-up activities at manufacturing sites.

Essential Skills

+ At least 15+ years of experience in advanced manufacturing engineering within automotive or a related high-volume industry.

+ At least 8+ years of focused experience in high-precision Electric Drive Unit assembly, ICE drivetrain assembly, or highly automated chassis or sub-assembly manufacturing.

+ Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technical field.

+ Deep expertise in high-speed rotor and stator assembly, winding, precision balancing, and component pressing such as bearings and shafts.

+ Strong familiarity with precision liquid dispensing processes, including sealants and thermal paste, and automated leak and pressure testing methods.

+ Expert knowledge of electric motor end-of-line dynamometer testing and interpretation of test data.

+ Proven track record of bringing new, complex, and highly automated manufacturing equipment from concept into stable high-volume production.

+ Strong proficiency with CAD software such as Solid Works or CATIA for reviewing complex equipment designs, tooling, and layouts.

+ Experience using simulation tools such as Delmia for process or layout simulation is a plus.

+ Demonstrated project leadership experience managing multi-million-dollar, large-scale equipment projects with critical safety and quality requirements.

+ Ability to perform rigorous statistical analysis and apply structured root cause analysis…