Battery Systems Engineer

The Battery Engineer will play a key role in planning, launching, and optimizing advanced battery production lines at a new manufacturing facility. This position focuses on process planning, equipment procurement and commissioning, networked manufacturing systems, and continuous improvement to ensure safe, high-quality, and efficient production. The role operates in a highly collaborative environment, working closely with engineering, construction, operations, vendors, and cross-functional teams to achieve critical project milestones and support mass-production readiness.

Responsibilities

• Participate in daily written and verbal reporting to senior leadership, clearly communicating project status, risks, and countermeasures.
• Develop detailed process plans for battery production lines within the Battery PE department, working closely with leadership and other engineers.
• Collaborate with engineers, construction management, technicians, vendors, general contractors, and other stakeholders to achieve project milestones on schedule.
• Lead and support equipment procurement activities, including specification, vendor coordination, and alignment with process and quality requirements.
• Plan and oversee equipment installation through execution, commissioning, pre-production trials, and successful launch of battery production lines.
• Participate in and support advanced cleanliness protocols, including clean room practices, to maintain the required environment for battery manufacturing.
• Lead and/or support equipment trials at vendor sites before shipment and on the manufacturing floor after installation, ensuring safety, quality, and productivity targets are met.
• Support shop floor implementation of networked manufacturing systems, including andon systems and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), and their connectivity to higher-level IT-managed systems such as Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM).
• Support battery network system plans and specifications by applying knowledge of OPC-UA, CC-Link, SQL, and SCADA system implementation.
• Configure manufacturing equipment PLCs, primarily Mitsubishi, for network connectivity using SLMP and Ethernet IP protocols.
• Identify punchlist items, perform root cause analysis, and manage countermeasures to closure for equipment and process issues.
• Summarize key performance indicators (KPIs), support mass-production handover, and assist with production issue resolution.
• Engage with cross-functional teams, both domestically and internationally, to discuss open items, resolve issues, and align on key project schedules and milestones.
• Create and maintain detailed schedules for assigned areas, including equipment installation, trials, and ramp-up activities.
• Maintain and track budgets for assigned areas, ensuring capital expenditures align with project objectives and constraints.
• Execute and complete required internal and external training to stay current with technologies, processes, and safety requirements.
• Apply continuous improvement methodologies to enhance manufacturing processes, equipment performance, and system reliability.
• Use 2D and 3D drawings and drafting tools to support equipment layout, process design, and facility coordination.
• Collaborate with IT and network teams to maintain machine networks, including Cisco-based infrastructure and related systems.
• Utilize Ignition and related tools for programming andon visualization and other manufacturing support applications.

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering or a similar technical field.
• At least 3 years of professional experience in a manufacturing environment, with exposure to production preparation and execution.
• Experience in planning and executing capital projects for manufacturing, preferably from initial strategy through start of mass production.
• Project management experience with capital investments greater than $0.5M, including scope, schedule, and budget control.
• Proven ability to create and maintain detailed project schedules, including milestones for manufacturing equipment installation and ramp-up.
• Ability to read and interpret 2D drawings, including building facilities layouts and process equipment drawings.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, for reporting, analysis, and presentations.
• Proficiency with 2D and 3D drafting software such as AutoCAD for equipment and process design support.
• Hands-on PLC experience, including the ability to read, interpret, and modify PLC logic.
• SQL, Oracle, or other database experience for data collection, analysis, and integration with manufacturing systems.
• Experience with Cisco networks and maintaining machine networks in an industrial environment.
• Experience using Ignition for programming andon visualization and related manufacturing applications.
• Mechanical engineering and mechanical design experience relevant to manufacturing equipment and processes.
• Experience with manufacturing processes and manufacturing engineering in a production setting.
• Experience with project management for capital projects and manufacturing initiatives.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to approximately 10% as required by project needs.
• Ability to work weekends, holidays, and plant shutdown periods (such as July and December) when project conditions and schedules require it.

• Experience in drafting, reading, and interpreting 2D and 3D drawings and related software beyond AutoCAD.
• Experience with Mitsubishi PLC programming.
• Experience with SCADA systems for monitoring and controlling manufacturing operations.
• Experience with MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) implementation and support.
• Experience with Kepware or similar SCADA data systems.
• Familiarity with OPC-UA, CC-Link, and SCADA system implementation in a production environment.
• Experience with Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) or similar higher-level manufacturing IT systems.
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies and tools to optimize safety, quality, and productivity.
• Familiarity with capital expenditure (CAPEX) planning and management for manufacturing projects.
• Experience working with networked manufacturing systems, including andon systems and shop-floor connectivity.
• Comfort working in cross-functional and cross-cultural teams, including domestic and international collaboration.

This role is fully onsite at a new battery manufacturing plant in Liberty, North Carolina. The facility includes advanced battery production lines and clean room areas that require adherence to strict cleanliness and contamination control protocols. The position involves hands-on work on the shop floor alongside engineers, technicians, construction teams, vendors, and general contractors during equipment installation, commissioning, and production trials. The typical schedule is full-time with an expected overtime load of around 20%, and the role may require working some weekends, holidays, and plant shutdown periods such as July and December to meet project milestones. Business travel is required up to approximately 10%, primarily within the United States and potentially internationally. The environment is highly collaborative and project-driven, with long-term programs, stable contract structures, and significant opportunities to learn and grow as the plant ramps up and expands its operations. Standard industrial safety practices apply, including appropriate personal protective equipment as required for manufacturing and clean room areas.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Liberty, NC.

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $77.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Liberty,NC.

This position is anticipated to close on May 19, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.