The posting
Build the Path Forward
At Path Robotics, we’re attacking a trillion dollar opportunity - doing things that have never been done before to support an industry hurting from a lack of skilled labor. Big, hard problems are what Path tackles every day and our people are our greatest asset to get that job done. Our intelligent, hardworking team of people do the impossible every single day, yet remain incredibly kind, humble, and always ready to support one another.
We're looking for a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to shape how we build our robotic welding cells as we scale. You'll lead lean and continuous improvement work across our build floor, and you'll play a central role in planning the production layout for the new facilities we're moving into over the next few years. This role reports to the Director of Manufacturing Operations.
What You’ll Do
- Lead production layout planning for our new buildings, from initial concept through move-in, including process flow, material flow, workstation design, storage strategy, utilities, equipment placement and traffic patterns for both material and people
- Partner with supply chain and build leadership to develop layouts that support today's volume and planned growth
- Plan and manage the transition of production into new space with minimal disruption to build schedules
- Design intra-factory material flow from receiving and storage through kitting, line-side delivery, WIP movement and shipment of finished cells, so flow is built into the new buildings from the start rather than added later
- Map current-state and future-state value streams across build, kitting and test, and use the data, along with simulation where it helps, to drive prioritized improvements on the floor
- Lead continuous improvement events (kaizen, 5S, standard work) that reduce lead time, WIP, rework and cost; push changes to the floor quickly, measure the impact and iterate
- Build takt time, line balancing and capacity models to size workstations, staffing and floor space
- Identify and resolve flow imbalances caused by inventory processes, layouts, part shortages or staffing constraints, and drive fixes with Supply Chain, Quality and design engineering
- Develop standard work, work instructions and visual management with technicians and supervisors on the floor
- Design fixtures, tooling and material presentation (kanban, point-of-use storage) that improve flow and ergonomics
- Define and track KPIs such as cycle time, throughput, first-pass yield, on-time delivery, line-side material availability, inventory accuracy, WIP dwell time and material-driven downtime, and report progress to operations leadership
- Work with ERP and inventory system owners to keep material movement data accurate and visible in real time
- Work with design engineering on design for manufacturability and assembly as new products and configurations are released to the floor
- Coach engineers and technicians in lean tools and structured problem solving (A3, root cause analysis, PDCA)
Who You Are
- Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Industrial or Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
- 7+ years of manufacturing engineering experience in a production environment, ideally low-volume, high-mix assembly of complex electromechanical equipment, machinery or automation systems
- Proven experience leading production facility layout projects, such as a new building, plant expansion or line relocation, from concept through move-in
- Strong understanding of factory design, line layout and intra-factory logistics for hardware manufacturing, including fabricated structures, electromechanical assemblies, wiring and controls
- Experience supporting new products from introduction through production ramp
- Hands-on lean manufacturing practitioner with measurable results from value stream mapping, kaizen, 5S, standard work and pull systems
- Track record of building a continuous improvement culture on the floor, not just running projects
- Proficient in CAD for layout work (AutoCAD and/or SolidWorks) and comfortable reading engineering drawings; experience with plant layout or flow simulation tools is a plus
- Comfortable with data: time studies, capacity models and line balancing analysis in Excel or similar tools
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification preferred
- Experience with robotics, welding or industrial automation is a plus
- Clear communicator who can lead cross-functional projects and earn buy-in from technicians through senior leadership
- Self-starter who is comfortable with ambiguity and limited resources in a fast-growing company
- Must be local to Columbus, Ohio or willing to relocate
Physical Requirements & Working Conditions
- Work is performed on-site at our Columbus, Ohio facility, split between the office and the production floor
- Regular time on the manufacturing floor, including standing and walking for extended periods
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs occasionally
- Exposure to typical manufacturing conditions, including noise, welding operations and moving equipment; PPE is required in designated areas
- Occasional travel to new building sites, suppliers and equipment vendors (estimated under 10%)
Who We Are
At Path Robotics we love coming to work to solve interesting and tough challenges but also because our ideas are welcomed and valued. We encourage unique thinking and are dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
Regulatory and Compliance Requirements
This position may support work performed under U.S. Government contracts and requires compliance with applicable federal regulations, including FAR and DFARS where applicable.
The role may involve access to export-controlled information subject to ITAR and/or EAR.
Candidates must be able to comply with U.S. export control regulations, which may include meeting the definition of a “U.S. Person” where required.
This position may also involve handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and requires adherence to company and federal data protection and confidentiality standards. Employment may be contingent upon successful completion of a background check consistent with applicable requirements
If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process or any part of the hiring process, please contact [email protected]. We are committed to providing equal access and will work with qualified individuals to ensure a fair and accessible hiring experience. We will respond to your request within 48 hours.
