Specialist Pilot line Formation

Agratas; Ahmedabad District; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Agratas is seeking an experienced Formation Pilot Line Lead to manage trial builds and chemistry changeovers, ensuring alignment with SQDC KPIs and safe, compliant operations on the formation line.

You will coordinate with R&D, Quality, and Pilot Line Management to plan changeovers, capture data in MES/SAP, and drive problem solving using standard tools, while ensuring adherence to IATF 16949 and waste disposal norms.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years leading Production/pilot-line ops in Li-ion cell/manufacturing with multi-chemistry changeovers.
• Strong knowledge of Formation ops (Electrolyte Injection, HT Baking, Ageing, Laser welding, EOL Testing).
• Experience with problem-solving tools: 8D, Six Sigma, 7 QC, 5-Why, Fishbone, FMEA, DOE.
• Familiar with IATF 16949, SAP/ERP and MES; cross-functional coordination.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Formation Pilot Line for trial builds and chemistry changeovers.
• Coordinate with R&D, Quality, and Pilot Line Manager to align trial plans and deliverables.
• Capture data inputs in MES/SAP to drive data-based decisions.
• Ensure safety, quality, and waste disposal compliance on shift; handle non-standard procure/ consumables.

Skills

Pilot-line leadership

Li-ion cell manufacturing

multi-chemistry changeovers

NPI

process validation

Six Sigma

FMEA

DOE

IATF 16949

SAP/MES

safety leadership

line management

Education

BE in Electrical or Chemical

Six Sigma Certified

Tools

SAP/ERP

MES

8D

Job description

Purpose of the Role

Manage the Formation team on the Pilot Line to execute trial builds and chemistry changeovers (e.g., LFP to NMC or other emerging chemistries), achieving trial-run SQDC KPIs. Organize and control Formation process operations Electrolyte Injection, HT Baking, Ageing, Laser welding, EOL Testing including manpower deployment and line management within the shift. Handle process/quality abnormalities and exceptions, driving problem solving using the organisations standard problem-solving tools.

Coordinate with R&D, Quality, and the Pilot Line Manager to align Formation-zone trial plans, changeover schedules, and production deliverables. Ensure timely data inputs are captured in MES/SAP to drive data-based decisions. Ensure full compliance to statutory, safety, and quality requirements (including IATF 16949), timely disposal of waste per set standards, and effective handling of non-standard procurement/consumables needed for trial builds.

Key Responsibility Areas

Greenfield

• Support execution of chemistry changeovers on the Formation Pilot Line - adjusting Electrolyte Injection, HT Baking, Ageing, and EOL Testing parameters (e.g., formation voltage/current profile, bake temperature, ageing duration, electrolyte formulation) for each new chemistry with minimal downtime.
• Support qualification of new cell designs, materials, and process parameters on the Pilot Line ahead of scale-up to mass production; capture DOE trial data and document changeover process windows for technology transfer to the Gigafactory line.
• Work closely and collaborate with CFTs process engineering (global/advanced PE and plant PE, ME), R&D, Quality, construction, HR, Maintenance to ensure the right physical and operational standards are in place for pilot-line trials.

Knowledge Generic

E ssential - 5 -10 years leading Production/pilot-line operations in Li-ion cell, EV battery pack, or solar cell manufacturing, with NPI, process validation, or multi-chemistry changeover exposure. Strong knowledge of Formation operations (Electrolyte Injection, HT Baking, Ageing, Laser welding, EOL Testing) and how parameters shift across chemistries. skilled in exception/NG/CAPA handling and problem-solving tools (8D, Six Sigma, 7 QC, 5-Why, Fishbone, FMEA, DOE). Working knowledge of IATF 16949, SAP/ERP, and MES. Proven cross-functional coordination with R&D and Quality to execute the Formation Pilot Line plan. Hands-on manpower/line management, safety leadership, and non-standard procurement/consumables handling.

Job Context

• Ensure physicals like SOPs/WI/Check sheets are ready and well understood by Team Leaders/Operators and updated for each chemistry changeover.
• Ensure Formation Pilot Line throughput is as per trial plan and issues are timely escalated.
• Plan and manage manpower deployment and line management within the shift, including attendance, work allocation, and multi-skilling to support changeover-driven workload swings.
• Drive a strong safety culture on the shop floor - safety compliance, PPE discipline, risk assessments, and incident/near-miss reporting for the Formation Pilot Line, including chemistry-specific handling considerations.

Job Context Specific

• Manage non-standard procurement and consumables required for trial builds (trial materials, spares, tooling, chemistry-specific PPE), coordinating with Maintenance/SCM to avoid trial downtime.
• Ensure 100% compliance to all statutory, safety, and quality-management-system requirements, including IATF 16949.
• Log and track production, quality, and changeover data in SAP and MES, ensuring accurate real-time shop-floor data capture for traceability and reporting.
• Drive problem solving using the full range of standard tools 8D, Six Sigma, 7 QC Tools, 5-Why, Fishbone/Ishikawa, FMEA - and manage NG products.

Knowledge Specific

Role Specific Qualifications/Certifications

B.E in (Electrical / Chemical), Six Sigma Certified