Lead Process Engineer, Robotics

Form Energy; Weirton (WV); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Stock options

Holistic benefits package

Comprehensive health coverage

Job summary

Form Energy in Weirton, WV is hiring a Lead (Staff) Process Engineer to own automated production lines for iron-air battery manufacturing, driving yield, quality, and throughput while coordinating with controls and equipment teams.

You will define production metrics, implement new automation solutions, mentor engineers, and support a high-volume facility with relocation assistance and competitive compensation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in automated production environments.
• Deep knowledge of semi-manual and automated assembly processes.
• Working knowledge of robotics and PLC-based automation.
• Experience developing assembly methods, tooling, fixtures, and work instructions.
• DFM/DFA principles with actionable feedback for design and process teams.
• Analytical skills to define and apply OEE metrics.

Responsibilities

• Own the transition of automated production lines from ramp to sustained, high-volume output.
• Drive gains in yield, quality, and throughput across robotic cells and automated hardware.
• Define and implement OEE and equipment performance metrics to identify loss drivers.
• Collaborate with product design and process development engineering for optimization.
• Integrate new automation solutions that raise reliability and precision of lines.
• Lead root-cause analysis of assembly and quality issues and implement durable improvements.
• Mentor multidisciplinary engineering teams and promote technical excellence.

Skills

Mechanical Engineering

Manufacturing Engineering

Industrial Engineering

Robotics

PLC Automation

DFM/DFA

OEE Metrics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related discipline

Tools

Fanuc

Siemens

Job description

Are you ready to build America’s energy future? Form Energy is an American manufacturing and energy technology company. We’re revolutionizing energy storage with cost-effective, multi-day technology designed to keep the electric grid secure and reliable, even during extended periods of stress. By strengthening the electric system and reimagining what’s possible, we’re giving clean energy a whole new form!

In recent years, Form Energy has earned a number of accolades, including being named by TIME as a "Best Invention", MIT Technology Review as a "Top Climate Tech Company To Watch", and Fast Company as "One of the Next Big Things In Tech". We are making rapid progress on our mission of delivering energy storage for a better world, and our team is growing just as rapidly to meet demand. We have signed contracts with leading electric utilities across the United States and production of our iron-air batteries is underway at our first high-volume manufacturing facility in West Virginia.

Working for Form Energy is more than just a job, it’s a chance to be part of something extraordinary. And now - right as we significantly scale up battery manufacturing - might be the most exciting moment in the company’s history to join. We are assembling a team of highly talented and driven individuals across the country. Driven by our core values of humanity, excellence, and creativity, our team is determined to deliver on our mission and transform the energy landscape for the better.

Feeling energized to make a meaningful impact on the world? Then keep reading - you’ve come to the right place.

Job Description

We're hiring a Lead (Staff) Process Engineer within our growing Operations Engineering team. In this role, you will serve as the manufacturing process owner for automated production lines that ramp our iron-air battery to scale, driving process yield, quality, and throughput while partnering closely with controls and equipment teams on the supporting automation. You will own the processes and improvements of complex robotic cells and automated hardware, directing technical decisions that eliminate manufacturing bottlenecks and ensure long-term equipment reliability. By continuously improving standards for process control and precision automation, you will ensure our production environment delivers a high volume of top-quality products. Your leadership will be the cornerstone in transforming advanced battery technology into a world-class, automated manufacturing reality that enables global energy reliability.

What You’ll Do:

• Own the transition of automated production lines of modular products from ramp to sustained, high-volume output

• Drive measurable gains in process yield, quality, and throughput across complex robotic cells and automated hardware.

• Define and implement OEE and equipment performance metrics to identify loss drivers and prioritize improvement work across the production line.

• Collaborate with product design and process development engineering to provide feedback, ensuring optimization for fully-automated, high-speed manufacturing.

• Integrate new automation solutions (torque tools, lift devices, vision checks, interlocks, and other instrumentation) that raise the reliability and precision of production lines.

• Lead root-cause analysis of assembly and quality issues, turning findings into durable process improvements that ensure safe and repeatable production.

• Stabilize new production ramps, reducing variation across shifts and accelerating the path to steady-state output.

• Mentor multidisciplinary engineering teams, fostering a culture of technical excellence in process ownership and pragmatic problem-solving.

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline and 7+ years of relevant experience.

• Deep technical understanding of semi-manual and automated assembly processes for complex systems.

• Working knowledge of robotics and PLC-based automation (e.g., Fanuc, Siemens, or similar) sufficient to collaborate effectively with controls engineering and direct integration work.

• Experience developing assembly methods, tooling, fixtures, and work instructions in an automated production environment.

• Fluency in DFM/DFA principles and a track record of translating them into actionable feedback for product design and process development teams.

• Analytical rigor in defining and applying OEE and equipment performance metrics to guide improvement priorities.

• Strong problem-solving skills spanning process, design, and human-factor-driven issues.

• Effective communicator across production, quality, and design teams.

Where you'll work:

This role is based at Form Factory 1 in Weirton, WV—an easy commute from the city of Pittsburgh, PA. This 550,000-square-foot facility is our hub for high-volume battery production and a leader in the new era of American energy manufacturing. Relocation assistance is available.

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Humanity is a cornerstone of Form Energy’s culture, and we make sure our compensation and benefits reflect that. Form Energy offers competitive salaries, stock options, and a holistic benefits package to ensure all employees have what they need to thrive while working here.

When it comes to you and your family’s health, we cover 100% of medical, dental, and vision premiums for full-time employees - and 80% of healthcare premiums for dependents. This starts from day one. We also offer at least 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents (up to 20 weeks for birthing parents), and generous vacation policies to give employees time to recharge when needed.

To build America’s energy future, we need everyone at the table. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply to our open jobs.

If you may require reasonable accommodations to participate in our interview process, please contact [e-mail]. Requests for accommodations will be treated with discretion.
Form Energy is committed to maintaining the privacy of our applicants. Please be aware that we will never solicit sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers or bank account details during the recruiting or hiring process.