Project Lead in Oceanside, California at Harvest Power Inc

Company Overview

Solecta is an exciting early-stage, high-tech company focused on solving real customer issues and commercializing polymeric industrial filtration products. Solecta has manufacturing facilities in Oceanside, CA. The company is backed by True North Venture Partners, an investing firm that specializes in commercializing and scaling disruptive innovations.

Position Summary

The Project Lead is a temporary part-time, non-exempt hourly employee position responsible for supporting manufacturing process analysis and labor-standard validation for the Oceanside manufacturing operation. The role will review production data and camera footage, conduct structured cycle-time studies, analyze process performance and support the development and documentation of updated standard labor calculations used in operational, financial, and commercial decision-making.

This is a remote, part-time, non-exempt hourly employee position. The work will be completed primarily through review of internal production footage, data analysis, documentation, and scheduled collaboration with the Operational Excellence team.

The employee must accurately record all hours worked in accordance with company timekeeping procedures. All time worked, including authorized work performed outside scheduled hours, mut be recorded and will be compensated in accordance with applicable law. Overtime must be authorized in advance; however, all hours actually worked must be reported and will be paid as required by law. Meal and rest periods will be provided in accordance with applicable California requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or ability required. Other duties as assigned.

Duties:

• Review internal production camera footage and collect repeatable cycle-time observations for defined manufacturing processes.
• Conduct structured time studies and labor-standard validation across assigned manufacturing processes and product families.
• Collect sufficient observations across representative product sizes and operating conditions to establish reliable process cycle-time data.
• Apply consistent process definitions, start/stop points, exclusions and data-recording methods across observations.
• Analyze cycle-time data for variation, outliers, process differences and representative operating conditions.
• Maintain organized source data, calculation files, assumptions and traceability between observations and proposed labor standards.
• Partner with Operational Excellence leadership through regular progress and data-review meetings to resolve questions, review findings and incorporate validated data into standard labor calculations.
• Support periodic project reviews and communicate progress, findings, risks and data-quality concerns.
• Prepare organized project documentation and analysis supporting cross-functional review and implementation of updated labor standards.
• Manage assigned project responsibilities independently within established company deadlines and communicate regularly with the Operational Excellence team regarding progress and work status.

Skills

• Strong quantitative analysis and attention to detail, particularly when working with repetitive time-study data.
• Experience conducting manufacturing cycle-time studies, labor-standard analysis, process mapping or similar industrial engineering work.
• Ability to distinguish true process time from delays, abnormalities, rework and other non-representative conditions when reviewing production activity.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data organization, calculations, analysis and documentation.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing workflows, standard work, labor content and process variability.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills and ability to document assumptions and findings for cross-functional review.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when working with internal production footage, manufacturing data and business information.

Abilities

• Ability to work independently with limited day-to-day supervision and deliver against defined milestones.
• Ability to review production footage for extended periods while maintaining consistency and accuracy in observations.
• Ability to quickly recognize manufacturing steps, product configurations normal operating conditions, and process exceptions.
• Ability to apply an established methodology consistently rather than redefining scope or process assumptions without alignment.
• Ability to collaborate remotely with Engineering, Manufacturing and Finance stakeholders.
• Strong ownership mindset with focus on execution, data quality and timely project completion.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical field; equivalent directly relevant manufacturing experience may be considered.
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, process engineering, industrial engineering, operational excellence or a closely related manufacturing role.
• Demonstrated experience with process mapping, cycle-time studies, labor standards, manufacturing data analysis or standard-work development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior direct experience with spiral-wound membrane element manufacturing or closely related filtration manufacturing processes.
• Prior experience supporting the Solecta/Acuriant Oceanside manufacturing operation, including familiarity with its production processes, product families, terminology and standard-work practices, strongly preferred.
• Hands-on familiarity with manufacturing process analysis and the ability to interpret production activity with minimal onboarding.
• Prior experience conducting time studies from production camera footage or recorded manufacturing operations.
• Experience developing, validating, or maintaining standard labor calculations used for costing, capacity planning, quoting or operational decision-making.
• Experience working cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering and Finance on manufacturing standards or cost-model inputs.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma or other continuous-improvement methodologies.
• Ability to become productive immediately using existing internal documentation, data sources and process knowledge.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to use a computer and standard office equipment for extended periods of time.
• Visual acuity sufficient to review production video footage, spreadsheets and technical documentation for extended periods.
• Hearing and speaking ability sufficient for remote meetings and exchange of project information.
• Dexterity of hands and fingers sufficient for computer-based data entry and analysis.

Work Environment

• This role is primarily remote and computer-based.
• Work requires access to a reliable internet connection and an appropriate environment for handling confidential company information.
• The role routinely uses standard office equipment and company-approved collaboration/data systems.
• The company will provide or reimburse required business-related equipment, services, and expenses in accordance with applicable laws.
• Regular remote progress and data-review meetings with project stakeholders are expected.
• No routine travel is anticipated. Any onsite activity, if requested, would be coordinated in advance and is not expected to be a primary component of employment.3

**Temporary Assignment Notice**
This position is offered as a temporary part-time assignment; the anticipated duration is approximately two (2) months. The assignment may be ended earlier or extended at the discretion of the employer. Employment during this period is at-will, and either the employee or the employer may terminate the assignment at any time, with or without cause or notice, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Solecta, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.