Humanity faces two critical challenges: securing reliable energy and aggressively lowering our environmental impact. At Forge, we believe nuclear fission is the key to solving both at once. Today Forge is developing the technology to rapidly scale the deployment of nuclear fission.
The Sr. Manufacturing Engineer role is responsible for leading manufacturing and test of machined components, welded pressure vessels, compact heat exchangers, and other reactor system components to rapidly ramp production of our first nuclear reactor – Ember. Sr. Manufacturing Engineers will own the factory's highest-impact projects — standing up new production cells and driving the continuous improvement and innovation required to achieve high-quality and high-rate throughput — while setting the technical bar for the manufacturing engineering team. Successful candidates will have previously demonstrated extreme ownership in simplifying, innovating, or otherwise improving products and/or production lines and processes, and will be highly motivated to power humanity with abundant, clean energy.
Responsibilities
Provide end-to-end ownership of high-rate reactor production line design, bring-up, operations, and improvements for the factory's most complex, highest-impact areas
Perform hands-on design for manufacturability engineering as part of the reactor development cycle and act as primary liaison between the design and production teams
Responsible for reactor component manufacturability from first prototype builds through introduction into a high-rate manufacturing environment
Contribute to design reviews acting as an expert in design for manufacturability, design for inspectability, yield and cost improvements, supplier assessments, quality control, etc.
Act as primary point of contact for non-conforming product, troubleshooting, root cause, failure investigations and corrective actions
Lead the initial supply chain development for critical materials and outside processes such as forgings, plate and tube stock, and specialty fabrication services
Own the design and validation of fixtures, tooling, and new technology that is introduced to the production line
Prepare engineering documentation necessary for the transition from development to production including assembly procedures, test and inspection procedures, standard operating procedures, process travelers, bills of materials, and mechanical drawings
Lead continuous improvement efforts of established production lines and products
Perform structured root cause analysis of in-process failures
Provide training and mentorship to junior manufacturing engineers, setting the standard for technical rigor across the team
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, or a related technical discipline
3+ years of engineering experience developing manufacturing processes or designing, building, or testing hardware
Preferred Skills and Experience
Strong ability to use data and analysis to make fast data-driven decisions
Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals and core manufacturing processes
Ability to perform trade studies and make clear recommendations using first principles and engineering fundamentals even with partial information
Hands-on shop experience such as machining, welding, fabrication, or assembly, and comfort reading and applying geometric dimensioning and tolerancing
Experience with CNC programming and CAM workflows, process control and capability analysis, or ramping a production line
Experience acting as a technical lead — scoping work, reviewing designs and processes, and guiding other engineers to successful outcomes
Experience working at a nimble engineering organization or in a highly technical position that required a scrappy, entrepreneurial manner to accomplish tasks with tight time or budget constraints
Experience building hardware or have a passion for contributing to a work product that operates in the real world
Demonstrated rapid growth; you've held successive positions of increasing responsibility within an organization, were able to get yourself up to speed at a heroic pace, and accomplished something meaningfully difficult early in your career
Additional Requirements
Position will be based in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County and will require relocation if not already local. The position will be full-time in the office.
Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary
Ability to travel to suppliers and reactor construction sites in other states as necessary
Compensation and Benefits
Pay range:
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Forge. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or stock options, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, paid vacation, paid parental leave, and various other perks. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.
Forge is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Forge is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant's capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls.
Compensation Range: $140K - $190K
