Senior Factory Engineer

At 1872 AI, we are transforming industrial manufacturing in the United States by building AI-native factories capable of lights-out production—from CAD to finished part with minimal human input. Our initial focus targets the energy and infrastructure sectors—power generation, grid infrastructure, and compute facilities—where critical supply chain bottlenecks in steel fabrication are limiting growth.

About the Role

Be the technical owner for the physical deployment of 1872's first production facility — from blank floor to ready-to-run. You will lead the infrastructure buildout, equipment selection, and heavy asset installation, ensuring the facility is a stable, high-performance platform for our automation systems. As we grow, you will define the "Factory Standard"—the equipment and facility playbook used to rapidly deploy future automated production sites co-located with our strategic customers.

• Primary Interfaces : Head of Operations, CTO, Automation & Controls Engineers, Manufacturing Engineers, contractors and vendors
• Key Metrics: Facility uptime, equipment commissioning timeline, safety compliance, infrastructure reliability
• Key Systems/Tools: CAD (AutoCAD), MES/ERP systems, electrical distribution, pneumatics, overhead cranes, robotic welding cells

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Facility Stand-up: Manage the complete buildout of the Cincinnati facility, including contractor management for electrical drops (480V), compressed air, network cabling, and structural reinforcement.
• Equipment Installation & Commissioning: Oversee the physical installation and rigging of major production assets (automated welding cells, material handling systems, overhead cranes), ensuring infrastructure requirements are met before arrival.
• Capital Equipment Selection: Scout, qualify, and select future production equipment (lasers, press brakes, automation hardware) to vertically integrate our supply chain and expand capabilities.
• Contractor & Vendor Management: Serve as the primary point of contact for local GCs, electricians, and inspectors to ensure compliance with building codes, safety regulations, and aggressive timelines.
• Safety Infrastructure: Design and implement the physical safety layer of the factory, including fencing, light curtains, ventilation, and lockout/tagout procedures to meet RIA/OSHA standards.
• Scalable Layout Design: Partner with the Head of Operations to design floor plans that optimize material flow (raw steel to finished part) and allow for modular expansion.
• Long-term: Develop the "1872 Factory Playbook"—a repeatable template of equipment specs, utility requirements, and layout strategies to scale operations into future customer-co-located factories.

Base Qualifications

• 5–10 years in Facilities Engineering, Plant Engineering, or Capital Projects — ideally in heavy manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, or industrial automation environments.
• Demonstrated experience managing "Greenfield" or "Brownfield" factory buildouts (taking an empty shell to operational status).
• Deep familiarity with industrial infrastructure: high-voltage electrical distribution, pneumatics, foundation requirements, and overhead rigging.
• Hands-on and pragmatic — capable of reading drawings, troubleshooting wiring, and working side-by-side with tradespeople.

We consider equivalent experience. If you meet most of the requirements, apply.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience selecting and procuring heavy capital equipment (CNC, Laser, Robotics) and managing the vendor integration process.
• Comfortable with CAD (AutoCAD LT) for facility layout and spatial planning.
• Background at SpaceX, Tesla, Rivian, or similar high-performance manufacturing environments.

Why Join

• What you'll build first: Complete buildout of Cincinnati facility with automated welding cell installation, utility infrastructure (480V power, compressed air, network), safety systems, and scalable floor layout
• Impact: You build the physical infrastructure that allows our Manufacturing and Software teams to run "lights out" production without facility constraints. Your work directly enables world-class lead times and high equipment uptime.
• Growth: Build the physical template for our first production facility that will serve as the model for future plants co-located with hyperscalers and strategic partners. Work directly with the founding team to create the hardware foundation of an AI-native manufacturing company.

How to Apply

Fill out our application form and see what we can build together! Please include:

• Resume or LinkedIn profile
• Brief description of the most complex facility project you've owned from start to finish, including the biggest infrastructure challenge you overcame

This role is based on-site in Cincinnati, OH and is not open to remote work.

1872 AI is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. To request a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact [email protected].

This position may be subject to a background check in accordance with applicable law. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration.