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Manufacturing execution systems (MES) engineer

Join South 8 Technologies in San Diego as a MES Engineer. Lead MES development, integration, and troubleshooting with diverse manufacturing equipment. Benefit from a competitive salary, health benefits, and stock options in a cutting-edge renewable energy environment.

On-site Full time UTC-07:00 Updated today
Salary
US$110,000–148,000 /year

Applies on south8.com

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As a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Engineer, you will lead development, implementation, and sustainment of our MES. An ideal candidate has excellent knowledge/experience with MES and how to integrate equipment from a wide variety of manufacturing equipment from multiple suppliers. This includes PLC connectivity and data interpretation, as well as MES integration with other applications and data systems used by the broader technical group and business teams.

Responsibilities

  • Planning, Development, implementation, and sustainment of our Manufacturing Execution System (MES)
  • Integrate externally purchased and internally produced manufacturing tools with the MES, either by means of PLC communication or file sharing
  • Troubleshoot and resolve any technical issues related to the MES, working closely with service engineers where necessary
  • Integrate MES with various other software programs, such as ERP/MRP systems, and other data tools
  • Ensure data integrity of MES, at both internal and external production sites
  • Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for MES functions, and train a wide range of cross-functional users to those procedures
  • Develop visualization tools as requested by various users, such as yield monitoring, SPC charts, OEE monitoring
  • Ensure compliance with various requirements/standards for data systems (e.g. ISO, DoD)
  • Identify and drive corrective actions for process quality and performance issues
  • Establish roadmap for the future of MES and related software at South 8

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Data Science/Engineering, or related field.
  • 3+ years experience with PLC, MES, and other database software
  • Experience with Honeywell Experion Process Solution is strongly preferred
  • Experience with PLC communication is strongly preferred
  • Solid understanding of MES technology operation and enterprise IT/OT integration
  • Ability to lift 35 lbs.

At the time of posting, the expected starting salary range for this role is $110,000 - $148,000 annually. The actual pay depends on multiple individualized factors, including education, job-related knowledge, experience, and skills, which will be assessed during the interview process. The comprehensive compensation package for this position may also include other elements, such as health benefits, 401k, and company stock options. The base pay range and package is subject to change and may be modified in the future.

Pay & benefits

US$110,000–148,000 /yr
Health insurance Dental insurance Vision insurance Life insurance Retirement plan Paid time off

About this role

Posted
23 Sep 2026
Updated
23 Sep 2026
Job type
Full time
Workplace
On-site
Sectors
Working hours
UTC-07:00
Experience
3+ years experience

About South 8 Technologies

Company Overview

Name

South 8 Technologies, Inc.

Headquarters

San Diego, United States

Founded

2015

Size

Approximately 50 employees ranged from 20 to 47 in recent years (source: linkedin.com, pitchbook.com). Total funding raised of about $51.8 million including grants (source: caplight.com).

What They Do

South 8 Technologies is a battery technology company specializing in the development and commercialization of LiGas®, a patented liquefied-gas electrolyte platform for lithium-ion batteries (source: south8.com). Their core innovation enables lithium-ion cells to operate reliably across an extreme temperature range from approximately -60°C to +60°C, significantly enhancing safety, fast-charging capabilities, and compatibility with existing battery manufacturing processes (source: linkedin.com). South 8’s technology targets demanding applications in defense, aerospace, electric vehicles, and specialty mobility markets, where harsh environmental conditions require robust battery performance (source: auvsi.org). Their product offerings include finished LiGas battery cells for defense and specialty markets, as well as a LiGas electrolyte and injection integration kit designed for cell manufacturers to incorporate into their production lines (source: south8.com). Additionally, South 8 provides research and engineering services focused on devices utilizing liquefied-gas electrolytes, positioning themselves as a key innovator solving the "fire and ice" challenge by combining wide temperature operation with improved safety and manufacturability (source: anzupartners.com).

Projects & Track Record

South 8 Technologies has established a growing track record with customers actively building prototype systems using LiGas cells manufactured in San Diego, with plans to expand cell-finishing capacity for specialty customers by 2026 and onsite Gigafactory integration targeted for 2028 (source: south8.com). Their technology has been publicly linked to defense and aerospace applications, including extreme cold-weather battery solutions designed for Arctic defense operations, demonstrating their focus on high-performance, mission-critical environments (source: auvsi.org). South 8’s LiGas platform also unlocks new possibilities in electrified transportation markets, broadening their impact beyond defense (source: south8.com). A notable partnership was announced in late 2025 with LG Energy Solution, marking LG’s entry into the aerospace battery sector through collaboration with South 8 (source: south8.com). In 2026, South 8 signed a letter of intent with 3ME Technology to jointly advance extreme cold-weather battery solutions for defense applications, further cementing their role in specialized battery innovation (source: south8.com). Earlier strategic investments from Lockheed Martin Ventures underscore the company’s strong ties to defense markets (source: sdbj.com).

Recent Developments

In December 2025, South 8 Technologies announced an $11 million follow-on funding round co-led by W. L. Gore & Associates’ venture arm and Lockheed Martin Ventures, aimed at accelerating commercialization of LiGas battery cells for aerospace and defense markets (source: south8.com). On April 2, 2026, the company executed a $9.2 million PowerForward Battery Manufacturing Grant Agreement to expand advanced battery manufacturing capabilities in San Diego, signaling a significant scale-up in production infrastructure (source: south8.com). The same day, South 8 and 3ME Technology formalized their collaboration through a letter of intent to develop battery solutions tailored for extreme cold-weather defense operations, reinforcing their strategic focus on harsh environment applications (source: auvsi.org). The company’s 2025 and 2026 news flow also highlights the LG Energy Solution aerospace partnership and ongoing efforts to build specialty production capacity in San Diego, supported by an expanding investor base and grant funding that extend their commercialization runway (source: south8.com).

Working There

South 8 Technologies offers roles primarily focused on battery chemistry, cell manufacturing, business development, strategy, and operations, reflecting the company’s specialized technology and growth stage (source: south8.com). Leadership positions include CEO, CSO, and VP of Strategy, indicating a structured executive team guiding innovation and commercialization efforts (source: south8.com). The company’s small-team environment, consistent with approximately 50 employees, is headquartered in San Diego and fosters close collaboration across departments (source: linkedin.com). Commercial and partnership-facing roles are also integral, as evidenced by the appointment of a Senior Business Development Manager in 2026, highlighting the importance of external stakeholder engagement with defense, aerospace, and battery manufacturing sectors (source: south8.com).

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Manufacturing execution systems (MES) engineer
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