Maintenance Group Lead, Coating & Bonding

ABOUT SLATE

At Slate, we're building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize and love-and doing it here in the USA as part of our commitment to reindustrialization. The spirit of DIY and customization runs throughout every element of a Slate, because people should have control over how their trucks look, feel, and represent them.

WORK HOURS AND SCHEDULE

The regular work schedule will require availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays to meet business needs.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Slate is looking for a highly skilled and detail-oriented Maintenance Group Lead, Coating & Bonding to oversee all aspects of Coatings, including Thinfilm / Electrocoat systems, conveyance, sealer systems (robotic and manual), robotic bonding cells, breakdown management, and root-cause analysis (RCA) - from urgent repairs to capital projects. This role sets the standard for safety, efficiency, and reliability across equipment, machinery, and facility systems.

The Maintenance Group Leader will lead a skilled maintenance team to support production uptime and equipment reliability, while championing a culture of safety, continuous improvement, and technical excellence. They will partner with Production, Engineering, and Plant Leadership to minimize downtime and drive performance.

* Must be willing to relocate to Warsaw, Indiana. Relocation assistance will be provided. *

WHAT YOU GET TO DO

• Supervise, coach, and develop a team of maintenance technicians, setting expectations and ensuring adherence to safe work practices (LOTO, PPE, SOPs).
• Plan, execute, and continuously improve preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
• Troubleshoot and repair systems, including mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, PLCs, robotics, and vision systems.
• Coordinate and oversee contractors, vendors, and capital project work to ensure compliance with safety, quality, and performance standards.
• Partner with Production to minimize downtime, lead root-cause analysis (RCA), and implement corrective actions.
• Manage spare parts inventory, reorder points, and cost controls; recommend critical spares.
• Lead installations, rigging, alignments, rebuilds, and equipment upgrades.
• Review blueprints, schematics, and technical drawings to support repair and project work.
• Ensure accurate documentation of work orders, PMs, and downtime events; report on KPIs (MTBF, MTTR, backlog).
• Oversee vendor quotes, scheduling, quality checks, and contractor safety compliance.
• Drive housekeeping, 5S standards, and safety culture across the shop.
• Advise leadership on long-term equipment reliability, capital investment, and facility upgrades.

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (or equivalent discipline) is preferred.
• 3+ years of directly relevant experience in maintenance / manufacturing with Bachelor's degree, OR 7+ years of directly relevant experience in maintenance / manufacturing without Bachelor's degree.
• 2+ years of experience in a supervisory or lead role in maintenance / manufacturing.
• Hands-on proficiency with conveyors, bearings, seals, shafts, hydraulics, pneumatics, and pipefitting.
• Skilled in welding / fabrication, machining, rigging, cranes / hoists, and forklifts.
• Proficiency in PLC systems, robotics, and electrical troubleshooting.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and technical manuals.
• Knowledge of TPM, Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, and CI practices with measurable impact on MTBF / MTTR.
• Experienced in vendor management, budgeting, and capital improvement projects.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and CMMS systems.
• Safety-focused, results-driven, and committed to operational excellence
• Proven ability to coach, schedule, and manage multi-skilled trades teams.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Certifications in maintenance, safety, Six Sigma, or leadership development / training are preferred.
• Certifications in fork truck, man lift, etc. are preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must have the ability to travel (up to 10%).
• Must have the ability to lift up to 35 pounds.
• Must have the ability to stand, walk, and perform repetitive tasks for extended periods.

WHY JOIN TEAM SLATE?

At Slate, we're fueled by grit, determination, and attention to detail. The start-up spirit of ingenuity and resourcefulness move our business forward. Team Slate fosters a culture of excellence, innovation, and mutual respect, and is motivated by shared principles.

• Safety First
• Delight Customers
• One Team
• Relentless Improvement
• Fast, Frugal, and Scrappy
• Respectful Collaboration
• Positive Legacy

WE WANT TO WORK WITH PEOPLE THAT REFLECT THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH WE OPERATE.

Slate is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, organizational level, work styles, tenure and life experiences. Or for any other reason.

Slate is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at recar-talent_acquisition@slate.auto.