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Path Robotics is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer to lead lean and continuous improvement initiatives across our robotic welding cell manufacturing operations as we scale. You will play a central role in designing production layouts for new facilities, optimizing factory flow, and building a continuous improvement culture on the floor.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead production layout planning for new buildings from concept through move-in, including process flow, material flow, workstation design, storage strategy, utilities, equipment placement, and traffic patterns
- Partner with supply chain and build leadership to develop layouts supporting current volume and planned growth
- Plan and manage transitions into new space with minimal disruption to build schedules
- Design intra-factory material flow from receiving through shipment, incorporating flow optimization from the start
- Map current-state and future-state value streams; use data and simulation to drive prioritized improvements
- Lead continuous improvement events (kaizen, 5S, standard work) to reduce lead time, WIP, rework, and cost
- 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
- Develop standard work, work instructions, and visual management with technicians and supervisors
- Design fixtures, tooling, and material presentation (kanban, point-of-use storage) to 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
- Work with ERP and inventory system owners to maintain accurate, real-time material movement data
- Collaborate with design engineering on design for manufacturability and assembly
- Coach engineers and technicians in lean tools and structured problem solving (A3, root cause analysis, PDCA)
Work Environment:
Work is performed on-site at the Columbus, Ohio facility, split between office and production floor. Regular time on the manufacturing floor, including standing and walking for extended periods. Occasional lifting up to 50 lbs. Exposure to typical manufacturing conditions including noise, welding operations, and moving equipment; PPE required in designated areas. Occasional travel to new building sites, suppliers, and equipment vendors (estimated under 10%).
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Industrial, Mechanical Engineering, or 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 (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); 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 comfortable with ambiguity and limited resources in a fast-growing company
- Must be local to Columbus, Ohio or willing to relocate
