Spark is a venture-backed startup with an experienced team that is working to bring a revolutionary backyard grill, with an exciting business model, to market. Spark is looking for a Senior Process/Manufacturing Engineer as a new addition to our growing team. Our perfect candidate has a background in food science or production, solid biofuels, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, or engineering and is passionate about working towards our big, audacious goal of disrupting the outdoor grilling and cooking industry. 

You will be the guiding force in our solid fuel production, working closely with our materials scientist and head of manufacturing to design, develop, and implement a robust charcoal manufacturing process. This position will also lead sourcing efforts for raw materials, establish quality controls, and take point on continuous process improvement.  

If you have an infectious enthusiasm to create, we want to hear from you. Get in at the beginning. Create something in which you have ownership. Have a real, lasting impact.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead conversion of small-scale processes into commercially viable large-scale operations that includes the mixing, forming, dehydrating, and packaging of high volume BioFuel products.
• Evaluate the manufacturing process from feasibility and economics standpoint prior to release. 
• Lead production processes on a day to day basis, identifying and eliminating waste.
• Executes continuous improvement methodologies to reduce manufacturing costs and increase product and process quality.
• Support tool improvements to reduce equipment cycle time and maintenance costs.
• Participate in concurrent engineering design reviews.
• Conduct PFMEAs (Process Failure Mode and Effect Analysis) on materials manufacturing processes, methods, equipment, and controls.
• Prepare quotations for labor, tooling, and equipment to support the business unit.
• Perform quality analysis and create rigorous fuel performance testing systems. 
• Own the quality of the incoming material and outgoing finished product. 
• Establish QC (test, documentation, monitoring system etc).
• Work in conjunction with BioFuel Design Team to evaluate new materials, recipes, process and sourcing. 
• Eliminates hazards and ensures safety at the production site.

QUALIFICATIONS

• B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering, Food Processing, Manufacturing, Material Science, Ceramic, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering is required.
• Min 3 to 5 years of Powder handling and processing experience. 
• Knowledge of Kaizen and Lean Manufacturing techniques (OPEX or Black Belt Certified preferred). 
• Must be able to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and be flexible in working on multiple areas (process, testing, sourcing, design)  simultaneously.

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS & PERKS

• Generous equity package in a venture-backed startup.
• Market based compensation.
• A fun small-team environment, located right next door to the Rayback.
• Plenty of room for professional growth as part of a small but growing team

DISCUSSION
The backyard barbecue is an American pastime, but we’ve lost something in our transition to the convenience of gas grills over the last 30 years. Eager to be rid of the messy and time-consuming experience of dumping a bag of charcoal on an aluminum grate and dousing it with lighter fluid, we embraced gas, on the promise it would do the job just as well. It doesn’t. 

Spark combines the artisanship of the pre-gas era with the technology of today to give cooks the authenticity, taste and character of charcoal without all the hassle.