Senior Applications Engineer, Concept Development

Who You Are

You are a meticulous, proactive, and hands-on engineer who thrives at the intersection of battery research and manufacturing systems. You understand the potential of novel materials and combine creativity and technical excellence to bring to life new applications and products. You possess a rigorous analytical mindset and understand the critical importance of reliable quality and metrology. You are able to translate lithium-ion battery performance targets into tractable operational problems, applying your expertise in batteries and metrology to improve electrode and cell preparation and operations. You possess a diverse skill set and are equally effective working with material development partners, customers, proactively capturing IP opportunities, and rigorously developing structure/process/property relationships to support new product commercialization.

Responsibilities and Duties  

• Lead advanced metrology execution, implementing continuous improvement projects to ensure robust, repeatable quality systems. 
• Develop battery characterization and test methods to address needs for scientific understanding and process control.
• Own cell testing, planning and operation, failure analysis, and driving yield optimization for next-generation battery materials.
• Plan and execute designed experiments (DOEs) both internally and with external development partners to elucidate structure/process/property/function relationships in novel battery materials.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and technical resource, mentoring junior engineers and technicians in best practices for electrochemical testing and data analysis.
• Document and communicate findings for a broad set of partners.
• Proactively identify safety hazards and work cooperatively to implement improvements

Knowledge and Skill Requirements 

• BS or MS degree in engineering, materials science, or physical sciences with 3-5+ years of battery materials or metrology industry experience, OR a PhD with 0-2 years of experience.
• Proven track record in hands-on lithium-ion battery research, cell testing operations, and failure analysis.
• Demonstrated capability in developing and validating new test methods.
• Proficiency in advanced data analysis and statistical software (e.g. JMP, Minitab).
• Experience using Quality Systems (e.g. SPC, Control Plans) and continuous improvement methodologies in a laboratory or pilot manufacturing environment is a plus.
• Experience as data scripting/database tools (e.g. Python, SQL) is a plus.
• Demonstrated success collaborating in a highly technical interdisciplinary setting, with the ability to clearly communicate technical findings to diverse audiences (verbal, written, and presentation).

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Pass a respirator fit test and be able to wear respiratory protection on a periodic basis
• Wear personal protective equipment including, but not limited to, a lab coat, gloves, safety glasses, and steel toe safety shoes
• Use a glove box to prepare samples
• Move items up to 25 lbs with the assistance of lift equipment and carts
• Move long distances (such as from building to building) and be stationary for extended periods of time
• Operate a computer and other office equipment, such as a laptop, copier/printer, etc in a fixed location

The starting base pay for this role is between $128,000 and $162,000 at the time of posting. The actual base pay depends on many factors, such as education, experience, and skills. Base pay is only one part of Sila’s competitive Total Rewards package that can include benefits, perks, equity, and bonuses.  The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. 

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