Lightship is an early-stage hardware startup launched in 2020 by Tesla alumni that is bringing the $26B recreational vehicle industry into the electric age. Based in San Francisco and Broomfield, Colorado, Lightship is designing and producing an aerodynamic, battery-powered trailer that liberates travelers from the noise, emissions, and range anxiety of gas RVing.
Overview
Lightship is the first American all-electric recreational vehicle manufacturer currently developing an aerodynamic, battery-powered trailer for the electric age. As the macro transition to an all-electric transportation ecosystem accelerates, Lightship is bringing the increased convenience and superior performance that electrification offers to a pastime enjoyed by over 11 million American families.
Honoring Diverse Perspectives
Lightship is committed to hiring and developing top talent from diverse backgrounds. We believe representing and supporting diverse groups is key to the success of our team members, customers, shareholders and the achievement of our mission and vision. We operate in a collaborative environment with a flat organizational structure and expect a high degree of integrity, autonomy and creativity from all members of the team.
Employee Benefits & Philosophy - Applies to Full Time Employees only
- Healthcare, Dental, Vision
- 401k
- Flexible Paid Time Off - that we actually want you to use!
- 13 Company Holidays: 8 throughout the year + the company observes a week of scheduled downtime during the end of the year, allowing all employees to enjoy a break
- 12 weeks paid parental leave
- Yearly LightTrip stipend for an RV trip &/or professional development opportunities
Lightship offers all of its full time employees and their dependents full benefits including health, dental and vision insurance. We are on a mission to create a more healthful all-electric experience for a pastime that millions of families enjoy and believe strongly that our team should not have to worry about quality healthcare for themselves or their loved ones along the way.
About the Role
As a Manufacturing Engineer, you'll help build the processes, tooling, and documentation that our production floor runs on, much of which doesn't exist yet in mature form. You'll evaluate how we build vehicles today, design safer, faster, and better ways to do it.
You'll work directly with technicians, peer engineering, and quality to solve real floor problems, then translate those solutions into repeatable processes in the form of work instructions, tooling fixtures, and time standards.
This is an in person, in office role 5 days a week with willingness to work extended hours and weekends when necessary.
Responsibilities
Interpret engineering drawings and apply manufacturing knowledge to design efficient, high-quality processes, jigs, and workstations
Select and procure equipment, tools, and fixtures that meet Lightship specifications, balancing near-term need with long-term reliability
Apply structured problem-solving and process improvement methods (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma) to reduce waste and improve quality
Support line capacity planning and lead yield improvement projects in collaboration with production and engineering
Estimate manufacturing costs, determine time standards, and recommend tooling and process requirements
Investigate quality feedback, drive corrective action, and confirm it holds
Develop and maintain production documentation (work instructions and test procedures)
Complete readiness assessments and support successful launches into production
Provide floor-level troubleshooting support and guidance to production personnel
Participate in daily standup to keep the team aligned on daily goals
Minimum Qualifications
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Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Electrical, Materials, Industrial Engineering, or equivalent practical experience
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3+ years of experience in a hardware manufacturing environment
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CAD experience for jig, fixture, and workstation design
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Experience building or substantially reworking manufacturing processes, tooling, or documentation
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Ability to read and apply GD&T drawings and technical documents
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Comfortable planning capacity, floor layout, and line balancing
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Solid working knowledge of Google workspace or equivalent tools
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Self-motivated, able to multitask, and thrives under general direction in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment
Strong interpersonal and cross-functional communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in automotive, aerospace, or another regulated manufacturing environment
CATIA preferred CAD experience
Experience with NPI and transition to production
Project management experience
Experience with Atlassian suite of products (Jira / Confluence)
Experience with facility layout and expansion in a hardware Manufacturing/Production environment
Experience implementing and troubleshooting MES systems
Experience with DFM/DFA feedback across complex electro-mechanical systems
