Principal R&D Professional

Lyten Sweden is seeking a professional and experienced Principal Engineer withing Manufacturing Engineering function. The Principal Engineer is a senior technical leader responsible for defining, scaling, and optimizing manufacturing processes across one or multiple process areas. This role provides strategic direction, technical authority, and mentorship while driving the process development of next-generation battery technology. The Principal Engineer leads complex, high-impact initiatives from concept through industrialization, including process design, equipment strategy, and factory integration. Acting as a key interface between R&D, operations, quality, and external partners, the role ensures robust, scalable, and cost-efficient manufacturing solutions that support production ramp-up and long-term operational excellence. In addition to hands-on technical contribution, the Principal Engineer establishes engineering standards, drives cross-site alignment, and shapes the technology roadmap for manufacturing processes. Key Responsibilities Technical Leadership & Strategy Define and own process technology strategy and roadmap for assigned manufacturing areas. Serve as the subject matter expert (SME) and technical authority across multiple process domains. Establish engineering standards, best practices, and design guidelines across the organization. Drive alignment between R&D, manufacturing, and supply chain to ensure scalable process development. Process & Equipment Development Lead the development of advanced process and equipment specifications for new and existing manufacturing systems. Identify, evaluate, and select strategic equipment suppliers and technology partners. Oversee and lead design reviews with equipment suppliers, ensuring technical rigor and scalability. Provide guidance and oversight for process development from pilot through high-volume production. Program & Project Leadership Lead large-scale, complex equipment and process development projects with significant business impact. Guide cross-functional project teams through all phases: concept, design, FAT, SAT, commissioning, validation, and ramp-up. Act as escalation point for critical technical challenges across projects and sites. Equipment Lifecycle Management Provide leadership and governance for installation, commissioning, and validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) of manufacturing equipment. Ensure lifecycle strategies are in place for equipment reliability, maintainability, and performance optimization. Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement Identify and lead high-impact continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and other methodologies. Drive improvements in yield, throughput, cost, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). Establish and track process capability metrics and KPIs across production lines and sites. Troubleshooting & Advanced Problem Solving Lead complex root cause analysis (RCA) efforts, including 8D and A3 methodologies, for critical process or equipment failures. Provide hands-on expertise for resolution of escalated manufacturing challenges. Implement robust corrective and preventive actions to eliminate recurrence. Data Analysis & Digitalization Leverage Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), advanced analytics, and statistical tools to monitor performance and drive optimization. Champion data-driven decision-making and digital transformation initiatives within manufacturing engineering. Governance & Documentation Approve and govern process documentation, including SOPs, work instructions, and equipment documentation. Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards across all processes. Coaching & Mentorship Mentor and develop process engineers, fostering technical growth and engineering excellence. Promote knowledge sharing and capability building across the engineering organization. Requirements Educational background and previous experience required for the role Qualifications and Experience University advanced degree (Ph.D. preferred) or Master degree Mechanical Design, or related field. Minimum of 15 years in cell development or battery manufacturing engineering in senior technical roles Proven track record in advanced cell technologies, including lithium-ion, solid-state, or next-gen battery chemistries. Strong team management and mentorship abilities, with experience managing teams Ability to set a clear vision and execute strategies that balance innovation with practical, scalable solutions. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with experience presenting to executive teams and stakeholders. Able to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving industry, making data-driven decisions and adjusting strategies as needed.

PRINCIPAL ELECTRICAL ENGINEER (HARDWARE DESIGN) Freeform builds AI-native manufacturing systems that unify software, hardware, and physics to produce industrial-scale parts at the speed of human ideation. By treating manufacturing as a single integrated system, we unlock a new era of innovation where complex hardware is designed, built, and scaled without limits. As a Principal Electrical Engineer at Freeform, you will play an integral role in the design and development of custom electronics and compute systems that bring our AI-native metal 3D printing factory systems to life. You will solve challenging problems in fields such as high-performance compute, high speed communications, embedded hardware, motion control, autonomous robotic systems, and much more. You will use a first principles approach to solving problems and tackling new areas within electrical engineering that you may not have directly worked on before. The ideal candidate is capable of running projects from cradle to grave, acting as a technical lead, and has the ability to work effectively with other engineering disciplines. 3D printing experience is not required to be successful here - rather we look for smart, motivated, collaborative engineers who love solving hard problems and creating amazing technology! Responsibilities:  * Rapidly design, develop and test highly reliable electronics and compute systems that enable complex autonomous systems to perform reliability, repeatedly, and scalable  * Serve as the senior engineer on the team, driving technical direction, electrical architecture, product requirements, component selection, analysis, schematic capture, prototyping, bring-up, debugging, documentation, productization, manufacturing, and testing * Challenge assumptions and learn new design approaches * Drive component selection, analysis, schematic capture, prototyping, bring-up, debugging, documentation, manufacturing, and test * Hands-on debugging of the unexpected via the use of laboratory test equipment, custom instrumentation, and testing setups * Model and simulate circuit designs for analysis and performance * Act as a technical lead, driving schedule and ensuring a continuous rate of innovation Basic Qualifications:  * Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or similar engineering discipline * 15+ years of professional experience designing and delivering complex electrical hardware * Broad electrical engineering background; well versed in electrical engineering fundamentals and comfortable taking a first-principles approach to solving problems * Experience operating as a technical lead and system owner, responsible for architectural decisions, execution quality, and technical accountability across the full lifecycle Nice to Have:  * Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in electrical engineering * Experience with heterogeneous compute environments, including FPGA, GPU, and mixed architecture systems, with the ability to make thoughtful tradeoffs across performance, latency, and system complexity. * Experience with sensors, high speed cameras/imaging systems, and similar physical telemetry systems * Experience with embedded microcontroller design and firmware * Experience with high-speed data acquisition systems, high-accuracy motion systems, high-speed scanning systems, optomechanical assemblies, and complex electromechanical systems * Familiarity with industrial automation technologies and robotics Location:  * Based in Hawthorne, our vertically integrated facility brings technology development, R&D, and production together under one roof. We operate at the center of LA’s deep tech ecosystem, surrounded by some of the most ambitious hardware innovation happening anywhere in the country. * Our fast-paced, cross-functional environment is built on close collaboration, and as such, this role requires full-time onsite presence (five days a week), with very limited exceptions. What We Offer:  * We have an inclusive and diverse culture that values collaboration, learning, and making deliberate data-driven decisions.  * We offer a unique opportunity to be an early and integral member of a rapidly growing company that is scaling a world-changing technology.  * Benefits   * Significant stock option packages  * 100% employer-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance (premium PPO and HMO options)  * Life insurance  * Traditional and Roth 401(k)  * Relocation assistance provided  * Paid vacation, sick leave, and company holidays  * Generous Paid Parental Leave and extended transition back to work for the birthing parent  * Free daily catered lunch and dinner, and fully stocked kitchenette  * Casual dress, flexible work hours, and regular catered team building events  * Compensation     * Our intent is to offer a salary that is commensurate for the company’s current stage of development and allows the employee to grow and develop within a role.  * In addition to the significant stock option package, the estimated salary range for this role is $160,000-$300,000. The upper end of the range is reserved for individuals who demonstrate exceptional experience, deep domain mastery, and a proven history of high performance and impact.  * Freeform is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity; employment with Freeform 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.