Supervisor, Engine Build

Job Purpose:

The Supervisor, Engine Build is a Player-Coach and a hands-on manufacturing leader responsible for both executing and supervising the precision assembly of KARNO™ linear genset engines. This role spends 50–70% of time on the floor actively overseeing the building engines, while also owning daily production coordination, quality discipline, and technician development.

This position bridges engineering intent and production reality, ensuring engines are built right the first time while continuously improving repeatability, learning velocity, and scale readiness. Success in this role requires deep mechanical skill, strong situational leadership, and the ability to teach by example.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Hands-On Engine Assembly (Player Role)

• Oversee and be able to personally perform critical or high-risk engine assembly operations, including:
• Free-piston and linear motion assemblies
• Axial alignment and stack-up sensitive builds
• Critical sealing interfaces (dynamic and static)
• Final engine check-out and verification steps
• Serve as the go-to technical expert for complex assemblies and rework.
• Validate new or revised work instructions through first-article builds.
• Support engine teardown, inspection, and rebuild following test events.

Daily Production Leadership (Coach Role)

• Lead daily engine build execution aligned to:
• Production & test plans
• Engineering priorities and change flow
• Assign work based on:
• Technician skill level
• Build risk and criticality
• Run start-of-shift standups covering:
• Safety, Quality and Cleanliness
• Build priorities and constraints
• Engineering & Quality updates and lessons learned

Quality & Process Ownership

• Own first-time-through build quality at the engine level.
• Ensure strict adherence to:
• Build travelers and work instructions
• Torque, preload, alignment, and sealing specs
• Serialization and traceability requirements
• Lead immediate containment for:
• Assembly errors
• Fitment or tolerance stack-up issues
• Seal or cleanliness escapes
• Drive corrective actions into:
• Standard work
• Tooling and fixtures
• Training and qualification requirements

Technician Development & Coaching

• Actively train technicians on the floor through:
• Side-by-side builds
• Demonstration of best practices
• Real-time coaching and feedback
• Qualify technicians on:
• Critical operations
• Special processes
• New or updated build steps
• Set and reinforce expectations for:
• Craftsmanship
• Documentation discipline
• Accountability for quality
• Behavioral performance in the workplace

Test Feedback & Continuous Improvement

• Partner with End of Line (EOL) test and engineering to:
• Prepare engines for genset integration and test readiness
• Support post-test teardown and inspections
• Translate test findings into:
• Assembly improvements
• Updated work instructions
• Risk reduction actions
• Support PFMEA updates and error-pr