Equipment Manager

Position Summary

The Equipment Manager is responsible for leading all equipment-related activities within Gotion Pack battery manufacturing in Manteno Illinois facility. This role oversees equipment calibration, validation, testing, commissioning, SOP development, future equipment projects and long-term reliability performance. Experience managing a team of more than 50 equipment engineers. This role requires strong technical depth, cultural adaptability, and unwavering commitment to safety, integrity, and innovation.

• Startup Leadership
  • Lead equipment commissioning for new production lines.
  • Coordinate factory acceptance testing (FAT) and site acceptance testing (SAT).
  • Oversee equipment calibration, validation, and performance verification.
  • Develop equipment startup timelines aligned with production ramp plans.
• Equipment Installation, Calibration & Testing
  • Manage installation of key battery pack production equipment.
  • Ensure precision calibration and alignment of automated and high-voltage systems.
  • Develop standardized calibration procedures.
  • Validate equipment capability against process specifications and yield targets.
• SOP & Standardization Development
  • Develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for equipment operation, preventive & predictive maintenance, troubleshooting & escalation, and safety compliance.
  • Establish equipment documentation control and revision management.
  • Ensure SOP alignment with global headquarters standards and local regulatory requirements.
• Reliability, Equipment Uptime & Continuous Improvement
  • Establish preventive and predictive maintenance systems.
  • Track KPIs such as OEE, MTBF, MTTR, and downtime trends.
  • Drive root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective action implementation.
  • Lead TPM and continuous improvement initiatives in a startup environment.
  • Reduce unplanned downtime and improve overall equipment efficiency.
• Cross-Cultural & Global Collaboration
  • Serve as the primary liaison between local operations and Gotion headquarters support.
  • Collaborate with international OEM vendors and technical teams.
  • Demonstrate cultural awareness, respect, and adaptability in communication styles.
  • Support translation and technical alignment between global engineering standards and local implementation.
• Leadership & Communication
  • Build and lead a high-performing equipment engineering and maintenance team.
  • Provide hands-on coaching during startup and ramp phases.
  • Communicate clearly across engineering, production, quality, EHS, and executive leadership.
  • Present technical performance updates to senior management and global support team.
• Equipment Lifecycle Management
  • Oversee installation, commissioning, qualification, and validation of new equipment and future equipment projects.
  • Develop long-term asset management strategies.
  • Manage capital equipment planning and budget forecasting.
  • Coordinate equipment upgrades, retrofits, and obsolescence management.
• Manufacturing Process Support
  • Support critical battery pack production processes of the equipment.
  • Ensure equipment performance meets production yield and quality targets.
• Team Leadership
  • Lead a team of over 50 equipment engineers, technicians, and maintenance supervisors.
  • Develop training programs for technical staff and operators.
  • Build succession planning and technical competency development programs.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Safety & Compliance
  • Ensure compliance with OSHA, NFPA, environmental, and battery safety standards.
  • Enforce lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures and high-voltage safety protocols.
  • Participate in safety audits and risk assessments.
  • Ensure safe handling of materials used in battery pack production.
• Continuous Improvement
  • Drive Lean Manufacturing, TPM, and Six Sigma initiatives.
  • Improve OEE and reduce scraps related to equipment performance.
  • Implement digital maintenance systems (CMMS).
  • Benchmark best practices across global battery manufacturing sites.
• Budget & Vendor Management
  • Manage maintenance and spare parts budgets.
  • Oversee critical spare parts inventory strategy.
  • Coordinate with OEMs and international equipment suppliers.
  • Negotiate service contracts and support agreements.

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in high-volume manufacturing.
• 3+ years in equipment engineering or maintenance leadership role.
• Experience with automated manufacturing lines.
• Strong knowledge of PLCs, robotics, servo systems, and industrial controls.
• Experience with CMMS systems.
• Strong leadership and team management experience.

• Experience in Lithium-ion battery manufacturing (LFP preferred).
• Knowledge of dry room operations and humidity-controlled environments.
• Experience in battery pack production.
• Lean / Six Sigma certification.
• Experience working in union manufacturing contractors.
• Exposure to international equipment integration (Asia, Europe suppliers).

• Overall…