Refurbishment Process Engineer

Fragile is a hyper-growth startup redefining the way people access consumer hardware through seamless rentals. Our platform makes premium technology—such as home robotics, smart home devices, wearable technology, gaming PCs, and coffee machines—accessible and affordable with flat monthly rates and no long-term commitments.

At Fragile, we thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment where operations blend the energy of a technology office with the hands-on nature of a warehouse. Our team is driven, focused, and dedicated to scaling a category-defining business. We work with intensity and passion, shaping the future of hardware rentals.

We are seeking a hands-on, proactive Refurbishment Process Engineer to analyze, design, and optimize our growing repair operations, packaging initiatvies, and overhaul workflows. In this role, you will lead continuous improvement initiatives across our multi-category processing lines—spanning desktop/laptop PCs, commercial & consumer coffee machines, robot vacuum cleaners, and small consumer electronics. The ideal candidate will combine industrial engineering principles (Lean, 5S, cellular layout) with practical shop-floor setups to minimize cycle times, eliminate bottlenecks, boost first-pass yield, and lower unit refurbishment costs.

Key Responsibilities

• Workflow Design & Cell Optimization: Map, analyze, and redesign intake, triage, component-level repair, testing, and repacking lines to maximize shop-floor throughput across high-mix product lines.
• Packaging Efficiency & Design: Create innovating packaging solutions that are re-usable across multiple shipments and products, working with our packaging suppliers to custom-make new solutions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Supply Chain to optimize spare parts staging/kitting at point-of-use, and collaborate with HR on technical onboarding and skills matrices for shop-floor repair staff.
• Line Balancing & Bottleneck Resolution: Perform time-and-motion studies across varying product categories (electronics vs. electro-mechanical units) to eliminate idle time, balance operator workloads, and optimize task time.
• Standardized Operations (SOPs): Author clear, scalable Standard Operating Procedures, visual job aids, and quality teardown guides in close collaboration with lead technicians to reduce variance and rework rates.
• Workstation & Tooling Ergonomics: Specify, source, and layout ESD-safe electronics benches, fluidic/descaling stations for coffee equipment, and automated test rigs to optimize technician speed, ergonomics, and safety.
• Yield & Quality Analytics: Track and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) including First-Pass Yield (FPY), Mean Time to Repair (MTTR), scrap rate, and labor efficiency to drive data-driven improvements.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Supply Chain to optimize spare parts staging/kitting at point-of-use, and collaborate with HR on technical onboarding and skills matrices for shop-floor repair staff.

Qualifications

• Hands-on Engineering Aptitude: Strong industrial or manufacturing engineering expertise with a passion for physical process optimization, shop-floor line setups, and technical problem-solving.
• Relevant Experience: 2–6 years of engineering experience in high-mix manufacturing, electronics assembly, remanufacturing, or overhaul/refurbishment facilities.
• Education & Certifications: Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field. Lean/Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification preferred.
• Technical Breadth: Practical mastery of Lean principles (5S, Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen, Kanban, Poka-Yoke) alongside a solid understanding of electro-mechanical systems, circuit board/ESD handling, and fluidic/thermal testing setups.
• Analytical & Data Skills: High attention to detail with proficiency in data manipulation and visualization tools (Excel, Minitab, Power BI, or Tableau) to analyze cycle times and establish operational baselines.