Prototype Workshop Lead

With over a century of experience in battery research and manufacturing, Leclanché is well placed to tackle the challenges of the transition to a carbon-free society. As the only European manufacturer of both power and energy lithium-ion battery cells, Leclanché provides the most effective energy storage solutions for electric vehicles, industrial, marine, grid and microgrid applications.

Our world leading in-house technologies and ownership of the full value chain from electrochemistry to energy management software, make us unique and a partner of choice for customers who require smarter and faster energy storage solutions.

To support our Engineering team, we are looking for our offices in Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland for a:

Purpose:

The Prototype Workshop Lead is a senior technical expert and team coordinator responsible for guiding the development and refinement of prototypes, accelerating the product development process while ensuring the highest standards of quality and performance. This role involves rigorous testing and validation to identify and address potential issues before full-scale production. Additionally, the leader is responsible for streamlining the prototyping process to reduce time and costs and providing strategic direction and leadership to foster a culture of innovation, agility, and continuous improvement within the team.

Role&Responsibilities:

• Prototype Development:
o Oversee the end-to-end development of prototypes, from initial concept to functional models, ensuring alignment with product design and engineering requirements.
o Use internal tools (e.g. 3D printing, laser cutting and the available workshop machines) or outsource the manufacturing to rapidly produce and iterate on prototype components.
o Enable fast turnaround cycles for design testing and validation, allowing engineering teams to quickly assess feasibility, functionality, and ergonomics of new concepts.
o Maintain detailed records of prototype and tooling versions, test results, and design changes to support continuous improvement and knowledge sharing across teams.

• Quality and Performance:
o Define and uphold rigorous quality benchmarks for all prototypes, ensuring alignment with industry regulations and internal engineering specifications across railway, marine, and automotive sectors.
o Design and oversee comprehensive testing procedures—including functional, mechanical, electrical, environmental, and safety tests—to validate prototype performance under real-world conditions.
o Provide feedback on test results to detect performance gaps, material weaknesses, or design inconsistencies, and collaborate with engineering teams to implement corrective actions.
o Ensure all testing activities, results, and modifications are thoroughly documented to support traceability, certification processes, and continuous improvement.
o Foster a quality-first mindset within the prototyping team, encouraging proactive problem-solving, attention to detail, and accountability at every stage of development.

• Collaboration and Coordination:
o Act as the primary technical interface for the prototype workshop with Mechanical Design, Electrical Design, BMS R&D, Functional Safety, Technical Leaders, Manufacturing, and Quality teams.
o Promote a collaborative environment that supports rapid feedback loops and iterative improvements, allowing teams to respond quickly and timely to design changes and technical challenges.
o Organize and lead prototype review sessions, hands-on workshops, and design validation meetings to foster engagement and collective problem-solving.
o Maintain clear records of feedback and lessons learned to support continuous improvement and knowledge transfer across teams and future projects.

• Efficiency and Cost-effectiveness:
o Analyse and refine internal processes to eliminate bottlenecks, reduce lead times, and improve throughput across design, fabrication, and testing stages.
o Apply lean manufacturing principles to minimize waste, improve resource use, and enhance overall operational efficiency within the prototyping lab.
o Monitor material usage, tooling expenses, and labour allocation to maintain cost-effective operations without sacrificing innovation or performance.

• Leadership:
o Provide day-to-day leadership, mentorship, and technical guidance to prototype technicians and engineers, fostering a high-performance, collaborative, and innovative team culture.
o Champion a mindset of continuous learning and process enhancement by encouraging experimentation, post-project reviews, and the adoption of best practices.
o Oversee the planning and allocation of lab resources—including personnel, equipment, and budget—to ensure optimal support for current and future development programs.

o Responsible for performing other duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Skills & Experiences:

• Bachelor/master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 5+ years of progressive experience in a technical role (e.g. mechanical product design, testing, validation, manufacturing), preferably for battery systems, EVs, or similar complex industrial products.
• At least 2-3 years of proven experience in technical leadership or laboratory management role.
• Track record of driving innovation through iterative prototyping and resolving complex design and manufacturing challenges.
• Hands-on experience in setting up and managing prototyping labs, including equipment selection, safety protocols, and workflow optimization.
• Experience with the full product development lifecycle from concept to production launch in a regulated industry.
• Direct experience with marine, railway, or automotive battery system applications is highly advantageous.
• Knowledge in mechanical, electrical, and systems engineering principles relevant to battery technologies.
• Proficiency in 3D + 2D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks).
• In-depth knowledge of various manufacturing processes relevant to prototyping activities.
• Knowledge of materials used in industrial prototyping, including metals, polymers, composites, and sustainable alternatives.
• Familiarity with electrical safety principles, creepage and clearance distances, EMC/EMI shielding concepts as applied to mechanical design.
• Familiarity with concept-to-production workflows, including design validation, testing, and industrialization.
• Knowledge of relevant international standards for safety and performance in target applications (e.g., IP ratings, fire safety, vibration/shock).

Competencies:

• Technical Expertise: Possesses deep and broad technical knowledge in mechanical engineering, with the ability to solve complex technical challenges and provide authoritative guidance.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Ability to inspire, guide, and develop a team of engineers/technicians; fosters a collaborative and growth-oriented environment.
• Problem Solving & Analytical Thinking: Exceptional analytical skills, capable of dissecting complex problems, identifying root causes, and devising innovative, practical, and robust solutions.
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of clearly articulating technical concepts to diverse audiences (engineers, managers, cross-functional teams). Strong ability to influence and negotiate.
• Attention to Detail & Quality Orientation: Meticulous attention to design details, ensuring high-quality outputs, compliance with specifications, and robust product performance.
• Proactivity & Initiative: Takes initiative to identify opportunities for improvement, anticipates challenges, and drives solutions without constant supervision.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Highly collaborative, able to build strong relationships and work effectively with other engineering disciplines and departments.
• Project Mindset: Ability to manage multiple technical tasks within a project context, adhering to schedules and budgets.

Languages:

• English fluent spoken and written.
• French fluent spoken and written.
• German or another European language would be a plus.

Others:

• Availability for occasional business travel (up to 10%).
• The position is based in Switzerland.

We offer an interesting employment opportunity in an international growing company, dynamic and collaborative working environment, possibility to work on innovative projects and continuous professional growth. 

If you are Swiss or EU citizen, or hold a valid work permit, please apply and send your full application only in English. 

A note to recruitment agencies - we do not accept unsolicited agency resumes and we are not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited CVs. Thank you for your understanding.