Mechanical Manufacturing Engineer

American Lithium Energy (ALE); San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

American Lithium Energy (ALE) is seeking a Mechanical / Electrical Engineer to support manufacturing equipment, automation, tooling, calibration, and production quality. You will work closely with mechanical, electrical, and automation teams to improve uptime and process performance, applying CAD and controls knowledge to drive projects from design through implementation.

The role contributes to AS9100D/ISO 9001 quality programs, requires on‑site work, and involves collaboration with suppliers

Qualifications

• Five+ years of post‑degree, direct industry experience in mechanical/automation roles.
• Demonstrated hands‑on troubleshooting and maintenance of manufacturing equipment.
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings, schematics, and specs.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work with cross‑functional teams.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and preventive maintenance on production equipment and facilities systems.
• Diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair mechanical and electromechanical systems; coordinate specialist support as needed.
• Test, tune, and validate machines and automation to ensure safe, reliable production.
• Lead equipment, automation, or process‑improvement projects from design through handoff.
• Coordinate with internal shops and external vendors for tooling, fabrication, or service.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Mechanical‑electromechanical

Project management

Strong communication

On‑site operations

Cross‑functional collaboration

Lean/Six Sigma knowledge

Overseas collaboration (language aPlus

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree in Mechanical/Electromechanical/Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

CAD software

PLC controls knowledge

Job description

Company Description

American Lithium Energy (ALE) is a clean energy leader specializing in advanced lithium-ion battery technology for electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and grid storage solutions. The company focuses on high-performance batteries with superior energy density and long service life to support efficient, reliable energy storage across diverse applications. ALE integrates its batteries into solar and wind installations to improve renewable power efficiency and support a more sustainable energy ecosystem. Sustainability and responsible sourcing are central to ALE’s operations, with strict adherence to industry standards and ethical material practices. The team collaborates with industry partners and research institutions to drive innovation and meet evolving needs in the clean energy market.

Job Purpose

The Mechanical / Electrical Engineer is a hands‑on, mechanical-focused engineering role that supports manufacturing equipment, automation, tooling, calibration, and production quality. The position works closely with mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, automation engineers, and cell assembly technicians to improve equipment uptime, reliability, and process performance. The engineer applies mechanical design and CAD capability together with practical electrical and controls knowledge, including PLC‑controlled systems, motors, sensors, relays, and transformers, and leads assigned equipment or automation improvement projects from design through implementation. The role also contributes to the AS9100D quality management system by helping ensure that equipment, documentation, calibration, and production practices meet applicable requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Equipment Maintenance, Automation, and Troubleshooting

• Perform routine and preventive maintenance on facilities systems, pumps, ovens, machines, and other production equipment.
• Diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair mechanical, electromechanical, and production equipment problems; escalator or coordinate specialized support when appropriate.
• Test, tune, debug, and validate machines and automated equipment to support safe, repeatable, and reliable production performance.
• Troubleshoot and support PLC‑controlled automation and related components, including motors, sensors, relays, transformers, control wiring, and electrical assemblies, within the employee's training, qualifications, and authorization.
• Lead assigned equipment, automation, or process‑improvement projects, including planning, design coordination, installation, commissioning, documentation, and production handoff.
• Manage multiple equipment and project priorities while communicating status, risks, and required support to engineering, production, quality, and leadership.

Mechanical Design, Tooling, and Production Support

• Use CAD tools to create or revise mechanical parts, assemblies, tooling, fixtures, drawings, and related design documentation.
• Fabricate, modify, or coordinate the creation of tools and fixtures required for production, testing, and assembly; welding is not an essential function of this position.
• Interpret engineering drawings, schematics, specifications, procedures, tolerances, and technical documentation.
• Support electromechanical assembly, machine modifications, equipment integration, and production process improvements.
• Coordinate with internal machine‑shop resources and external equipment, machining, fabrication, or technical‑service vendors as needed.

Calibration, Quality, and Documentation

• Calibrate tools, machine components, gauges, and equipment in accordance with quality‑control requirements and approved procedures.
• Ensure required calibrations are current, accurate, traceable, and properly documented; promptly address or escalation overdue, failed, or out-of‑tolerance conditions.
• Prepare and maintain equipment, maintenance, calibration, validation, and quality‑control documentation as assigned.
• Support the AS9100D / ISO 9001 quality management system, including audits, corrective actions, root‑cause investigations, configuration or revision control, and continuous‑improvement activities.
• Inspect work areas, equipment, and production activities to help verify that quality, safety, and documented process requirements are followed.

Training, Safety, and Collaboration

• Train and provide technical guidance to technicians and production employees on the safe and effective use of tools, machines, automated systems, and production equipment.
• Follow all company safety procedures, including applicable lockout / tagout requirements, maintain clean and organized work areas, and promptly report unsafe conditions, incidents, or equipment concerns.
• Use required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, gloves, lab coats, protective footwear, hearing protection, or other equipment required by the task or work area.
• Collaborate effectively with cross‑functional teams and, when assigned, equipment suppliers or technical partners in the United States and internationally.
• Perform other duties consistent with the position's purpose and qualifications, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electromechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a closely related technical field.
• Minimum of five years of post‑degree, direct industry experience in mechanical, electromechanical, automation, equipment, manufacturing, or production engineering.
• Demonstrated hands‑on experience troubleshooting, testing, tuning, maintaining, repairing, or commissioning manufacturing or production equipment.
• Working knowledge of mechanical systems and industrial electrical / controls concepts, including PLCs, motors, sensors, relays, transformers, and electrical assemblies.
• Experience using CAD software for mechanical design, drafting, part updates, tooling or fixture design, and revision control.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, electrical schematics, specifications, procedures, and technical documentation.
• Strong analytical, root‑cause, problem‑solving, project‑management, interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Hands‑on, accountable work style with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively with production equipment and cross‑functional teams.
• Ability to work on‑site in a manufacturing and laboratory environment and to travel domestically or internationally when required by assigned projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in battery, electronics, aerospace, automotive, clean energy, or another regulated manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with AS9100D, ISO 9001, or a comparable quality management system.
• Experience supporting equipment maintenance, calibration, automation, tooling, fixtures, machine integration, or production process improvements.
• Knowledge of machining and fabrication methods, tolerancing, material selection, and collaboration with machine shops or external vendors.
• Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, statistical process control, root‑cause analysis, corrective action, or other continuous‑improvement methods.
• Experience working directly with overseas equipment manufacturers, suppliers, or technical‑service teams.
• Job‑related proficiency in Mandarin Chinese, Korean, or Japanese is a plus when it supports direct technical communication with assigned equipment suppliers or partners; otherwise, additional language proficiency is not required.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position does not currently have direct supervisory responsibility. The engineer may lead assigned technical projects and provide work direction, training, or technical guidance to technicians and production personnel.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds and to request assistance or use appropriate equipment when needed.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, reach, kneel, and work around production equipment for extended periods, as required by job duties.
• Ability to safely use hand tools, small machines, test equipment, and production equipment in accordance with company procedures.

Work is performed primarily on‑site in a manufacturing or laboratory environment where exposure to noise, moving equipment, electrical systems, tools, process materials, and required personal protective equipment may occur.

ALE is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and complying with all federal, state, and local anti‑discrimination laws.