Knowles
Designer and manufacturer of MEMS microphones
Maintenance Planner
About the job
- Proficiency with computerized maintenance management systems or enterprise asset management systems such as SAP PM, Maximo, or Fiix, and Excel, including the ability to build reports and dashboards.
- Strong understanding of industrial manufacturing assets and utilities, including winding and pressing equipment, coating equipment, ovens, vacuum systems, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems, compressed air systems, chillers, and boilers.
- Ability to read mechanical and electrical drawings, piping and instrumentation diagrams, and original equipment manufacturer manuals, and convert technical information into executable job plans.
- Working knowledge of predictive technologies including vibration analysis, infrared thermography, and ultrasound, as well as lubrication best practices.
- Experience applying reliability and lean tools including reliability-centered maintenance, total productive maintenance, 5S, Kaizen, and standard work.
- Root cause analysis capability using 5 Whys and fishbone/Ishikawa analysis, with disciplined problem solving.
- Familiarity with industry quality frameworks including ISO 9001, AS9100, and ISO 13485, as well as good documentation practices.
- Practical knowledge of lockout/tagout, confined space, electrical safety and arc flash, and permit systems.
- Effective stakeholder communication and negotiation to balance production priorities with maintenance risk.
- Maintenance, repair, and operations planning and vendor management skills, including bill of materials accuracy, lead-time mitigation, and cost and availability tradeoffs.
- Own the computerized maintenance management system or enterprise asset management planning and weekly scheduling process for preventive, predictive, and corrective work in coordination with Production and Environmental, Health, and Safety.
- Develop clear job plans covering scope, labor, duration, skills, permits, lockout/tagout steps, quality assurance checks, and accurate closeout documentation.
- Create and maintain asset master data, preventive maintenance task lists, bills of materials, and equipment hierarchies, and optimize routes and frequencies.
- Kit and stage materials, parts, tools, and permits, and coordinate with Stores to maintain maintenance, repair, and operations spares availability and minimum and maximum levels.
- Prioritize the maintenance backlog using risk, asset criticality, and production impact, and manage ready-to-schedule status.
- Plan plant shutdowns and maintenance windows, including critical-path activities, contingencies, and contractor sequencing.
- Coordinate original equipment manufacturers and service contractors on scope, quotes, site access, safety orientation, and quality of work.
- Monitor and report key performance indicators including schedule compliance, preventive maintenance completion, wrench time, mean time to repair, mean time between failures, and backlog health, and drive corrective actions.
- Support reliability initiatives including reliability-centered maintenance and total productive maintenance, preventive maintenance optimization, and root cause analysis, and capture lessons learned in standard work.
- Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety and quality requirements, including lockout/tagout, hot work, electrostatic discharge handling, calibration and verification, and documentation.
About the company
Knowles makes micro-acoustic, audio processing, and MEMS components for OEMs. It has three segments: Audio (balanced armature speakers and microphones for hearing health, premium audio, and communications), Precision Devices (high-performance capacitors and RF filters for defense, medical, and industrial use), and Consumer MEMS Microphones (MEMS mics for smartphones, wearables, and IoT). Products combine acoustics, materials science, and signal processing to meet tight performance and miniaturization needs and are sold to a global OEM base. Knowles differentiates by deep expertise in acoustics and materials science, a diversified, high-performance product line, and focus on miniaturized components for demanding markets; its goal is steady supply of reliable components and growth in MEMS microphones and professional audio markets.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Itasca, Illinois
Founded
1946
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Q2 2026 revenue reached $166.8 million, up 14%; management raised 2026 growth to 10-12%.
- Precision Devices revenue rose 25.2% in Q2 2026, driven by multiyear defense and electrification demand.
- Elucent Medical chose Knowles on August 12, 2026, validating micro-molding and medtech manufacturing depth.
What critics are saying
- Precision Devices relies on concentrated defense and medtech wins; one lost program hits 2026 growth.
- Knowles still depends on sole-source ASIC and MEMS foundry partners, exposing supply interruptions.
- A severe China IP dispute can cripple acoustic manufacturing; GoerTek proved this in 2014.
What makes Knowles unique
- Knowles' 2026 portfolio centers on medical, defense, and industrial components, not smartphones.
- RAX mini balanced armature won vivo TWS 5 Pro design-in on July 6, 2026.
- Cornell Dubilier CLS and PPH capacitors extend Knowles into high-reliability power electronics.
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Benefits
Professional Development Budget
Flexible Work Hours
Company News
Knowles introduces CLS Flatpack aluminum electrolytic capacitors. The new series offers up to 83,000 μF, 300 V ratings and 10,000-hour endurance for demanding compact power applications. September 11, 2026 Knowles has broadened its Cornell Dubilier capacitor lineup with the new Type CLS Flatpack aluminum electrolytic capacitors, designed to operate at temperatures of up to 105°C. The series is aimed at compact, high-density power supplies and other systems that need high bulk capacitance in a space-saving package but do not require a 125°C-rated capacitor. The CLS range adds a new 105°C temperature option to the existing Flatpack family. This lineup also includes the MLPS series, rated for 85°C, and the MLSG series, rated for 125°C. The additional rating gives engineers greater flexibility when balancing operating temperature, capacitance, and available space. According to Knowles, the CLS capacitors have successfully undergone 10,000 hours of endurance testing at 105°C. This makes them suitable for applications where dependable long-term performance is essential, including high-density commercial power supplies, military systems, and other mission-critical equipment. The capacitors feature a low-profile stainless-steel housing designed to aid heat dissipation. This construction provides a compact form factor while supporting efficient operation and reliability in space-constrained applications. The wider Flatpack range offers voltage ratings of up to 300 V and capacitance values reaching 83,000 μF. The devices are built to handle demanding environments involving vibration, mechanical shock, and high ripple currents, providing both electrical and mechanical durability. Designers can choose from multiple low-profile stainless-steel case sizes and mounting options, allowing the capacitors to be adapted to different system layouts. Their high capacitance in a single compact package can also reduce PCB connection points and make system assembly simpler. The Flatpack family additionally offers hermetic and near-hermetic sealing options for applications requiring extended service life and improved resistance to vibration. With the launch of the 105°C CLS series, Knowles adds another option for engineers developing compact, high-density power systems where space, reliability, and thermal performance are important considerations.
Knowles has repositioned itself around specialty electronic components for medical technology, defense and industrial markets, divesting approximately $400 million in lower-margin revenue between 2017 and 2023. Chief Executive Officer Jeff Niew said the company generated just under $600 million in 2025 revenue and employs about 5,000 people globally. The company operates through two segments: Precision Devices, supplying RF filters and capacitor technologies; and MedTech & Specialty Audio, selling miniature microphones and speakers for hearing-health applications. Knowles sold its Consumer MEMS Microphone business roughly three years ago, which served smartphone and earbud manufacturers but carried lower margins. The remaining businesses delivered an 8% revenue compound annual growth rate and 11% EBITDA growth between 2017 and 2025, including acquisitions.
Knowles reported Q2 revenues of $166.8 million, up 14.3% year on year and exceeding analyst expectations by 6.3%. The electronic components manufacturer also beat EPS guidance and revenue estimates for next quarter. "We delivered second quarter revenues exceeding the high end of our guided range," said Jeffrey Niew, president and CEO of Knowles. The company, which designs high-performance capacitors, microphones, and speakers for medical technology, defence, and industrial applications, achieved the largest analyst estimate beat amongst its peers in the electronic components and manufacturing sector. Despite the strong results, Knowles' stock has fallen 2.6% since reporting earnings, currently trading at $37.81. The decline suggests investor expectations may have been higher than Wall Street's published projections.
Elucent Medical selects Knowles Corporation to manufacture advanced surgical guidance device. Aug 12, 2026, 08:04 ET Elucent chooses Knowles for micro molding capabilities, design-for-manufacturability expertise, and vertically integrated assembly to accelerate production of their critical surgical guidance device. ITASCA, Ill., Aug. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Knowles Corporation (NYSE: KN), a leading manufacturer of specialty electronic components, including high-performance capacitors, radio frequency ("RF") filters, advanced medtech microphones, and balanced armature (BA) speakers, today announced an agreement to produce Elucent Medical's smart surgical guidance device for use with its EnVisio(R) In-Body Spatial Intelligence(TM) System. Leveraging Knowles' micro molding capabilities and using a design-for-manufacturability (DFM) optimization approach, Knowles worked with Elucent to iterate designs, identify tolerance and material improvement opportunities, and provide guidance throughout product design, development, and launch of their surgical guidance device. "Knowles stands out as a technically capable, highly engaged, and future-focused partner," said Jeremy Klem, Vice President of Operations for Elucent Medical. "By combining deep engineering expertise, uncompromising quality, speed, and cost efficiency, Knowles enabled us to bring an excellent product to market faster and with greater confidence." By focusing on manufacturability and continuous improvement, Knowles: * Improved production readiness, quality, and scalability * Sourced cost-effective materials * Reduced time to market * Built a foundation for future product improvement This approach led to a more manufacturable, reliable product that is produced at one of Knowles' ISO 13485-certified and FDA-registered facilities in Penang, Malaysia. "Our teams worked hands-on with Elucent Medical engineers at every stage, offering proactive input on design, performance, cost, and reliability," said Jon Kiachian, President of MedTech and Specialty Audio at Knowles Corporation. "Our outcome-focused problem-solving approach is what makes Knowles the right long-term manufacturing partner." Knowles offers a wide array of precision manufacturing capabilities ideal for the MedTech market, including micro coiling, molding, stamping, cable assembly, and precision machining. About Knowles Knowles is a leading manufacturer of specialty electronic components. We design parts that perform unique, critical functions for innovative technologies. Through extreme reliability, custom engineering, and scalable manufacturing, we enable businesses to succeed in the most demanding applications across MedTech, Defense, and Industrial markets. Our high-performance capacitors, RF/Microwave filters, advanced medtech microphones, balanced armatures, and miniaturization products enable and enhance the performance of technologies with the power to change, improve, and save lives. Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, Knowles has grown into a global organization with employees spanning 11 countries. About Elucent Medical Elucent Medical is a leading innovator in guided surgical technologies, dedicated to improving patient outcomes through precision and accuracy. EnVisio(R) and SmartClip(R) provide advanced soft-tissue localization and surgical guidance powered by In-Body Spatial Intelligence(TM). Through a commitment to innovation and collaboration, Elucent Medical is advancing precision in soft tissue surgery and making a meaningful impact on patients and the medical professionals who care for them. For more information about Elucent Medical and its innovative technologies, Media Contact SOURCE Knowles Corporation
Knowles reported strong Q2 results, with revenue of $166.8 million beating analyst estimates of $157 million. The company posted 14.3% year-on-year growth driven by demand across its Precision Devices and Medtech & Specialty Audio segments. All core end markets—medtech, defense, industrial, and electrification—posted gains. CEO Jeffrey Niew highlighted the company's ability to secure multiyear defense orders and ramp up production for industrial and energy applications. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $0.33, beating estimates of $0.31. Operating margin improved to 15.2%, up from 12.3% in the same quarter last year. The company guided Q3 revenue to $172 million at the midpoint, above analyst estimates of $163.5 million. Management attributed the outperformance to factory productivity gains and improved product mix.