Manufacturing Equipment Engineer

Job Title: Manufacturing Equipment Engineer

Location: Burlingame, CA

Department: Manufacturing Engineering

Reports to: Manufacturing Equipment Engineering Manager

Position Type: Full Time

About the Company

Peak Energy is the first American venture to advance globally proven Sodium-Ion battery systems as the storage standard for the new era of renewable energy on a resilient grid. Sodium-Ion is cheap, readily available and safe, making it the leading contender in a rapidly evolving market. Our leadership team is powered by decades of expertise in scaling gigawatt-level innovation at world-class companies such as Tesla, Northvolt, SunPower, Fluence, and Enovix. We are backed by strategic investment and product partners such as TDK Ventures and Eclipse Ventures. 

About the Job:

Peak Energy is seeking a highly motivated Manufacturing Equipment Engineer to lead the development, deployment, and optimization of manufacturing equipment across our current operations and future factory expansions. This role will play a critical part in building out production lines at our Sacramento facility, owning the end-to-end execution of equipment strategy—from early concepting and Design for Manufacturability (DFM) through vendor coordination, installation, commissioning, and validation.

In this position, you will be responsible for designing and implementing manufacturing equipment and tooling to enable efficient, scalable production processes. You will drive the introduction of new machinery, automation systems, and production line enhancements, ensuring all equipment meets production requirements, safety standards, and operational efficiency goals.

As the central point of ownership for equipment-related workstreams, you will partner closely with cross-functional teams including process, quality, design, and manufacturing to deliver fully operational, production-ready lines. This is a highly hands-on, cross-functional role that will directly impact Peak Energy’s ability to scale ESS production toward 1 GWh capacity by 2027.

Responsibilities:

• Design and develop complete manufacturing lines for both in-house builds and supplier sourced equipment, bringing lines from concept through commissioning and ramp.
• Define equipment concepts, technical specifications, and performance requirements for high volume manufacturing
• Lead the RFQ process, supplier selection, and technical reviews for new manufacturing equipment
• Coordinate factory readiness, utility requirements, installation, and commissioning activities
• Travel domestically and internationally, up to 20%, as required
• Support the transition of products and processes from low‑volume prototype builds to full‑scale manufacturing
• Collaborate with Process Engineering to refine, industrialize, and deploy scalable manufacturing processes
• Support line optimization efforts throughout ramp and production maturity

Minimum Qualifications:

• Strong understanding of mechanical design fundamentals, including materials, GD&T, drafting standards, and engineering calculations
• Proficiency in mechanical CAD and layout development (e.g., SolidWorks, NX, CATIA 3DEXPERIENCE, AutoCAD). AutoCAD & CATIA 3DEXPERIENCE preferred.
• Experience designing and sourcing custom manufacturing equipment, tooling, and mechanical systems.
• Experience supporting multiple equipment installations and product launches.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing quality practices (e.g., PFMEA, control plans)
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field (or equivalent practical experience)
• Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• 4+ years of experience in manufacturing equipment design, commissioning, or industrial automation (All experience levels encouraged to apply).
• Knowledge of machine safety standards and regulatory requirements
• Familiarity with automation architectures, sensors, actuators, and PLC‑based systems
• Experience working with integrators and capital equipment suppliers
• Background in high‑volume, highly regulated industries (automotive, energy storage, aerospace, medical devices)
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects in fast‑paced environments
• Experience applying Design for Manufacturability (DFM) principles

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this role is $125k- $185k, with actual pay varying based on work location, experience, and skills. Our competitive benefits package includes flexible time off, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, a strong 401(k) plan, and equity opportunities. Join us to thrive in a supportive environment while making a meaningful impact in the energy sector.