Senior Equipment Engineer

Slate; Warsaw (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Slate is seeking an experienced Equipment Engineer to build and refine production systems for automotive manufacturing in the USA. You will lead the design, procurement, and validation of production equipment, fixtures, and tooling within General Assembly, and develop functional specs and acceptance criteria for new and existing processes.

You will also support NPI with tooling strategies, workstation layouts, PFMEAs, control plans, and launch readiness, while reviewing supplier designs and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher in mechanical/industrial/manufacturing engineering.
• 8+ years of process engineering in automotive or high-volume manufacturing.
• Proven success supporting General Assembly processes, including launch and ramp-up.
• Startup/greenfield or rapid-scale experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, specification, procurement, and validation of production equipment and tooling.
• Develop equipment requirements, specifications, and acceptance criteria for processes.
• Support NPI with tooling strategies, workstation layouts, PFMEAs, and launch readiness.
• Conduct supplier design reviews, equipment run-offs, and commissioning activities.
• Analyze equipment data to identify bottlenecks and improve cycle times.
• Drive root-cause analysis and corrective actions for equipment issues.

Skills

Assembly tooling

Fixture design

Ergonomics

Equipment integration

GD&T

Problem solving

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

CATIA

SolidWorks

Job description

About Slate

At Slate, we’re building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize and love—and doing it here in the USA as part of our commitment to reindustrialization. The spirit of DIY and customization runs throughout every element of a Slate, because people should have control over how their trucks look, feel, and represent them.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking an experienced Equipment Engineer with deep automotive manufacturing expertise to help build and refine world‑class production systems. The ideal candidate brings strong knowledge of assembly tooling, production equipment, fixture design, and equipment integration within General Assembly or related automotive environments.

You will play a critical role in developing, validating, and improving the equipment and tooling that drive safety, quality, throughput, and cost performance. Beyond technical capability, we’re looking for someone who elevates others, communicates with clarity, and helps shape the culture of a fast‑moving, mission‑driven manufacturing organization. This is a rare opportunity to build equipment and tooling capability from the ground up.

WORK AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENT

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship at this time.

WHAT YOU GET TO DO

• Lead the design, specification, procurement, and validation of production equipment, fixtures, and tooling within General Assembly.
• Develop equipment requirements, functional specifications, and acceptance criteria for new and existing manufacturing processes.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) by creating tooling strategies, workstation layouts, PFMEAs, control plans, and launch readiness documentation.
• Conduct supplier design reviews, equipment run‑offs, and commissioning activities to ensure readiness for production.
• Analyze equipment performance data to identify bottlenecks, improve cycle times, and enhance reliability and maintainability.
• Drive structured root‑cause analysis and implement corrective actions for equipment‑related issues originating from the plant, field, or suppliers.
• Support layout development, ergonomic assessments, and material‑flow improvements to ensure efficient and repeatable operations.
• Lead or support continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, error proofing, uptime, and cost reduction.
• Develop and maintain equipment documentation, including drawings, specifications, maintenance plans, and troubleshooting guides.
• Monitor key equipment KPIs (cycle time, uptime, MTTR, MTBF, OEE) and build dashboards and action plans to drive improvement.
• Train and mentor technicians, operators, and engineers on tooling usage, equipment operation, safety protocols, and best practices.

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM

Education & Experience

• B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years of process engineering experience in automotive or high‑volume manufacturing.
• Proven success supporting General Assembly processes, including equipment launch, commissioning, and production ramp‑up.
• Experience in startup, greenfield, or rapid‑scale environments is a plus.

Skills

• Strong understanding of assembly tooling, fixture design, ergonomics, and equipment integration.
• Proficiency with CAD or layout tools (AutoCAD, CATIA, SolidWorks, or similar).
• Knowledge of GD&T, tolerance stack‑ups, and mechanical design fundamentals.
• Experience with equipment validation, capability studies, and structured problem‑solving methodologies.
• Strong communication, leadership, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver sustainable improvements in safety, quality, and cost.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and engineering documentation tools.

WHY JOIN TEAM SLATE

At Slate, we’re fueled by grit, determination, and attention to detail. The start-up spirit of ingenuity and resourcefulness move our business forward. Team Slate fosters a culture of excellence, innovation, and mutual respect, and is motivated by shared principles.

• Safety First
• Delight Customers
• One Team
• Relentless Improvement
• Fast, Frugal, and Scrappy
• Respectful Collaboration
• Positive Legacy

WE WANT TO WORK WITH PEOPLE THAT REFLECT THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH WE OPERATE

Slate is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affimative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, organizational level, work styles, tenure and life experiences. Or for any other reason.

Slate is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at

[e-mail].