Head of Battery Manufacturing and Automation

Job content

About H55

As the technological spin-off ofSolar Impulse, the first electric airplane to fly around the world, the mission of H55, is tomake aviation clean, safe, and affordable.

The company’s strengths and competencies lie in developingpropulsion and energy storage solutionswhich aremodular, lightweight, and certifiable.

H55 is financed by a reputable group of investors from Silicon Valley and Switzerland, and as such, is well positioned for its next stage of its development. The company’s short-term priorities include building up out of engineering team, putting into place production facilities, and creating a north American subsidiary.

The position

In order to scale H55 up into the next flight level, with a focus on industrialisation and significant growth, we are looking to hire a Head of Battery Manufacturing and Automation.

The Job location will be Sion, Switzerland with frequent travel activities, especially to North America.

The role will report to the Chief Operations Officer and will work very closely with the Head of Production Organisation, the Head of Design Organisation, site as well as with all members of the executive committee.

The Head of Battery Manufacturing and Automation will be responsible for H55’s transition from a manufacturing-style, often manual production to an industrial production in order to ensure the ramp-up and flawless delivery of all products of H55.

In a first step, the future position holder will set up a concept to transfer the mostly manual current manufacturing activities into a highly automated process, thus obtaining the required fast scale up, assuring the continued approval of aviation authorities. In a next step, building on this ‘blueprint factory’, the next step is to transfer this concept to Canada and start production there.

Your role:

Based on the strategy developed by the leadership team, the Head of Battery Manufacturing and Automation will have the responsibility to:

• Lead and coordinate the development of the automation activities for all production
• Develop the production organisation to implement and deliver on the production roadmap
• Develop the best practice in automation to maximize the efficiency of the production organization
• Introduce and implement the necessary tools, methods, processes
• Ensure that H55 keeps the highest standard in the POA

The Head of Battery Manufacturing and Automation will develop the automated production organisation for the team in Switzerland and further sites internationally:

• Be innovative and quick in the execution while optimizing the production processes
• Anticipate needs very early
• Build up a solid and strong skill layer
• Select, develop and lead the key personnel required to fulfil H55’s short- and long-term production requirements
• Create a solid and motivating team spirit, favoring aviation-specific professional behaviors while preserving and developing the start-up spirit

Plan and assess the needs to develop the production infrastructures and premises of the company at international level:

• convert the existing manufacturing infrastructure into a highly automated production and transfer this concept to further sites internationally
• Optimize production costs through a suitable choice of locations and selection of activities adapted to local needs, capabilities and cost structure
• Shape and manage highly efficient production facilities, allowing to curb production cost and to favor aviation-grade quality and safety

Your Profile:

Education & Languages

• University degree in engineering or similar strong relevant academic background, e.g. aerospace / electrical engineering or production technologies
• Excellent proficiency in English; French would be a plus

Professional Experience / Requirements

• Solid leadership experience 10+ years in production and industrialisation development organizations, preferably with a track record in the domain of battery industry with a focus on the set-up and operation of an automated assembly line for electric / electronics systems / battery packs
• Experience with a highly regulated environment and / or with certification authorities is an asset
• Track record in implementing production optimization processes (e.g. LEAN, Kaizen, SMED)
• Strong ability to grow a small & mid-sized organization
• Performance and commitment driven with excellent interpersonal and management skills with an ability to develop strong working relationships with internal and external customers
• Proven track record with robust processes and tools; able to lead effectively in a complex and demanding environment and deliver results
• Has demonstrated leadership skills and is flexible and creative; drives team performance, ensures lean processes always compliant with aviation authorities’ requirements
• Team-player and a convincing communicator personality
• Wide intercultural experience and capacity to adapt to different modes of management (Anglo-Saxon, European, Swiss)

Further Personal Attributes:

• Grounded personality, self-initiated, resilient, pragmatic and used to organizing the work hands-on on a daily basis
• Above-average commitment, determination, entrepreneurial thinking, and pro-active attitude to work
• Focus and dedication on excellence and persistent quality
• Cross-functional thinking by constantly exchanging information with all interfaces within the company
• Knows how to work in an international network and to establish and maintain reliable long-term contacts
• Complete personal integrity, openness and honesty in discussions

Sounds interesting? We look forward to meeting you!

At H55, you will work with a very forward-looking team who are changing the paradigms of air transportation. H55 is composed of highly experienced engineers, entrepreneurs and managers and is seeking like mind talented professionals who understand how to couple creativity and innovation with technical and business considerations.

H55 is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals regardless of nationality, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on competence, performance, and business needs.