Principal Engineer - Manufacturing Engineering

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.