Engineering and Maintenance Manager

Engineering & Maintenance Manager

Location: College Station, TX 

Position Summary

US Modules is seeking an experienced Engineering & Maintenance Manager to lead the equipment/process engineering, and maintenance functions within our state-of-the-art solar module manufacturing facility. This role is responsible for maximizing equipment reliability, driving continuous improvement initiatives, managing capital projects, and ensuring the manufacturing operation achieves world-class standards in safety, quality, throughput and productivity.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on manufacturing leader with experience in high-volume automated production environments who thrives in a fast-paced startup and growth environment.

Key Responsibilities

Engineering Leadership

• Lead the Manufacturing Equipment Engineering and Maintenance teams to support daily production operations.
• Drive manufacturing process capability and implement equipment and process improvements to achieve short term KPIs and strategic initiatives.
• Develop engineering initiatives that improve safety, uptime, throughput, yield,  and product quality.
• Manage new equipment installation, commissioning, validation, and process optimization.
• Collaborate with Production, Quality, Supply Chain, and EHS teams to achieve operational objectives.
• Drive root cause analysis for equipment failures and manufacturing issues using structured problem-solving techniques and LEAN manufacturing methodologies
• Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations and company safety standards.

• Promote a proactive safety culture throughout the organization.
• Ensure compliance with environmental regulations and manufacturing best practices.
• Drive lockout/tagout (LOTO), electrical safety, and machine guarding programs

Predictive and Preventive Maintenance Management

• Manage, Mentor and coach Maintenance team supporting 24x7 operations.
• Develop and drive comprehensive preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs to drive standard KPIs of OEE,  MTBF, MTTR.
• Ensure capable and rapid response to production equipment failures.
• Develop and manage an efficient spare part process

Budget, Capital  and Compliance

• Manage project budgets, schedules, and vendor relationships, Lead equipment improvement projects.
• Coordinate factory layout improvements and production line modifications.
• Support installation of new automation systems and manufacturing technologies.
• Ensure all activities and projects are completed safely, on schedule, and within budget.

Continuous Improvement

• Collaborate and champion Lean Operating initiatives throughout the Operations.
• Identify opportunities to reduce waste, improve cycle times, and increase manufacturing efficiency.
• Utilize data analysis to improve production performance.
• Support implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies and manufacturing automation.

Team Leadership

• Recruit, train, coach, and develop engineering and maintenance personnel.
• Establish performance expectations and conduct regular performance reviews.
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous learning.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years of engineering and maintenance leadership experience in a high volume manufacturing environment.
• 3+ years managing engineering and maintenance teams.
• Experience with automated manufacturing equipment.
• Strong knowledge of preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
• Experience leading capital equipment projects.
• Knowledge of PLC-controlled equipment, robotics, and industrial automation.
• Experience with CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems).
• Strong understanding of electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and controls systems.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.

Preferred

• Experience in solar, semiconductor, electronics, automotive, battery, or other high-volume manufacturing industries.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• TPM (Total Productive Maintenance) experience.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Familiarity with vision inspection systems and automated assembly equipment.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to walk production floors for extended periods.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 30 pounds.
• Ability to work around industrial manufacturing equipment.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).