Manufacturing Engineer
Lightship
Summary
As a Manufacturing Engineer, you'll help build the processes, tooling, and documentation that our production floor runs on, much of which doesn't exist yet in mature form. You'll evaluate how we build vehicles today, design safer, faster, and better ways to do it.
Job description
About the Role
As a Manufacturing Engineer, you'll help build the processes, tooling, and documentation that our production floor runs on, much of which doesn't exist yet in mature form. You'll evaluate how we build vehicles today, design safer, faster, and better ways to do it.
You'll work directly with technicians, peer engineering, and quality to solve real floor problems, then translate those solutions into repeatable processes in the form of work instructions, tooling fixtures, and time standards.
This is an in person, in office role 5 days a week with willingness to work extended hours and weekends when necessary.
Responsibilities
- Interpret engineering drawings and apply manufacturing knowledge to design efficient, high-quality processes, jigs, and workstations
- Select and procure equipment, tools, and fixtures that meet Lightship specifications, balancing near-term need with long-term reliability
- Apply structured problem-solving and process improvement methods (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma) to reduce waste and improve quality
- Support line capacity planning and lead yield improvement projects in collaboration with production and engineering
- Estimate manufacturing costs, determine time standards, and recommend tooling and process requirements
- Investigate quality feedback, drive corrective action, and confirm it holds
- Develop and maintain production documentation (work instructions and test procedures)
- Complete readiness assessments and support successful launches into production
- Provide floor-level troubleshooting support and guidance to production personnel
- Participate in daily standup to keep the team aligned on daily goals
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Electrical, Materials, Industrial Engineering, or equivalent practical experience
- 3+ years of experience in a hardware manufacturing environment
- CAD experience for jig, fixture, and workstation design
- Experience building or substantially reworking manufacturing processes, tooling, or documentation
- Ability to read and apply GD&T drawings and technical documents
- Comfortable planning capacity, floor layout, and line balancing
- Solid working knowledge of Google workspace or equivalent tools
- Self-motivated, able to multitask, and thrives under general direction in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment
- Strong interpersonal and cross-functional communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in automotive, aerospace, or another regulated manufacturing environment
- CATIA preferred CAD experience
- Experience with NPI and transition to production
- Project management experience
- Experience with Atlassian suite of products (Jira / Confluence)
- Experience with facility layout and expansion in a hardware Manufacturing/Production environment
- Experience implementing and troubleshooting MES systems
- Experience with DFM/DFA feedback across complex electro-mechanical systems
Requirements
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Electrical, Materials, Industrial Engineering, or equivalent practical experience
- 3+ years of experience in a hardware manufacturing environment
- CAD experience for jig, fixture, and workstation design
- Experience building or substantially reworking manufacturing processes, tooling, or documentation
- Ability to read and apply GD&T drawings and technical documents
- Comfortable planning capacity, floor layout, and line balancing
- Solid working knowledge of Google workspace or equivalent tools
- Self-motivated, able to multitask, and thrives under general direction in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment
- Strong interpersonal and cross-functional communication skills
Benefits
- Healthcare, Dental & Vision
- 401(k)
- Flexible PTO
- 13 Company Holidays
- 12 weeks paid parental leave
- Yearly LightTrip stipend
Company overview
Lightship is a modern clinical trial site organization founded in 2018 that specializes in delivering on-site, hybrid, and virtual clinical trials through a single, trusted partner. The company operates with an expanded access model that places each clinical visit in the most practical setting, whether in-clinic, at-home, or through mobile research units (MRUs). This innovative approach increases patient reach, strengthens enrollment and engagement, and improves representation across diverse communities. Lightship partners with biopharma companies, CROs, and academic institutions to design and conduct studies that expand access and choice while accelerating new therapies to market. With a growing footprint of eight physical sites and mobile research units that extend site capabilities into communities, Lightship focuses on making clinical research more accessible and patient-centered. The company has demonstrated strong performance with a 96% retention rate, over 30 sponsor audits, and multiple FDA engagements, establishing itself as a reliable partner for high-performing trial execution. Through strategic mergers and acquisitions, including with Circuit Clinical and Veda Trials, Lightship continues to expand its capabilities and reach in the clinical research landscape.