Staff Cell Assembly Engineer

Position Summary

The Staff Cell Assembly Engineer is Blue Current’s technical authority for cell assembly, responsible for establishing and validating processes and tooling for large-format solid-state battery cells. This engineer will scale processes from a nascent R&D state to larger formats by working closely with team members in other functions such as equipment engineering, process engineering, and cell engineering. Blue Current’s solid-state technology is novel, and successful candidates will be able to advance the technology in areas with little precedent in literature or traditional lithium ion cells. This will require transforming open-ended concepts into actionable goals and timelines. Ideal candidates are experienced engineers or scientist with backgrounds in electrochemical engineering, process scaleup, project management, and vendor relationship management.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Owns cell assembly processes for Blue Current’s solid-state battery platform in all facets, from new process development, to scaleup, and through quality system implementation
• Collaborates closely with Cell Engineering, R&D, and Facilities to design and implement equipment, develop and scale large-format cell assembly processes, and improve process yield
• Serves as a key technical interface with assembly equipment vendors and external development partners. Leads vendor evaluation, equipment specification, and FAT/SAT activities
• Characterizes and formally documents the relationship between assembly process parameters and cell structural and electrochemical outcomes
• Applies and establishes use of advanced metrology techniques in partnership with the Metrology and Cell Engineering teams, including X-ray imaging, electrochemical characterization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to evaluate assembly quality and diagnose process failures
• Owns the assembly-stage quality system in partnership with the Quality team, including defining visual inspection criteria, edge alignment and layer tolerancing standards, acceptance criteria for finished cells, and the process control framework for monitoring ongoing assembly quality
• Collaborates with other engineers, and mentor junior engineers as appropriate by providing technical direction on complex process challenges, reviewing experimental design and data interpretation, and developing team capability in assembly process fundamentals
• Leads PFMEA and root cause analysis activities for assembly processes. As part of this activity, the engineer is expected to develop systems to monitor and respond to defects or process deviations, and to implement/document the problems and corrective actions.
• Represents the cell assembly function in executive and cross-functional technical reviews, communicating process status, capability gaps, and scale-up readiness in a form that informs strategic and resourcing decisions
• Contributes to manufacturing execution system (MES) development and implementation from the assembly process perspective, including defining what process data must be captured to support quality traceability and yield improvement
• Collaborates with electrode process and cell engineering teams to ensure assembly process decisions account for upstream material and electrode constraints and downstream cell performance requirements
• Leads projects by developing clear, actionable plans with defined milestones and success metrics, managing timelines and cross-functional dependencies effectively, and ensuring high-quality, on-schedule execution
• Supports a strong safety culture by following and improving laboratory safety practices, demonstrating exemplary experimental techniques, and helping implement best-practice updates
• Other duties as assigned, consistent with the scope and level of this position

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• PhD (with 3+ years of relevant experience), Master's (with 6+ years of relevant experience), Bachelor's (with 8+ years of relevant experience) in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and industry experience

Experience

• Experience troubleshooting and diagnosing assembly-related failures using advanced characterization techniques such as X-ray imaging or electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, going beyond visual inspection to identify root causes
• Experience translating process requirements into tooling or fixture specifications, and working iteratively with engineers to validate that the resulting hardware meets process needs

Skills & Knowledge

• Deep understanding of solid-state or lithium-ion battery electrochemistry sufficient to design characterization strategies, interpret complex data sets, and connect assembly process decisions to cell performance 
• Ability to design experiments, analyze results, and draw data-driven conclusions in the absence of established reference points, and to synthesize findings into process specifications and documentation 
• Ability to communicate process strategy, capability gaps, and scale-up readiness clearly to audiences across engineering, quality, and executive teams
• Hands-on experience with the full assembly sequence, including electrode handling, lamination, layer stacking, and pouch sealing, with a demonstrated history of driving improvements

Certifications / Licenses

• N/A

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with solid-state battery assembly specifically, including firsthand familiarity with the unique handling and process challenges of solid-state electrode materials
• Experience with dry room or controlled environment assembly processes, including operational constraints, tool design considerations, material handling requirements, and quality implications of controlled atmosphere work
• Demonstrated experience leading the translation from manual to semi-automated or automated assembly operations, including contributing to equipment specification, process transfer planning, and validation of automated systems against manually established process baselines
• Experience leading cell assembly scale-up efforts, including formal identification of critical process parameters, documentation of process knowledge for manufacturing transfer, and engagement with manufacturing engineering teams on process readiness criteria
• Experience leading or owning PFMEA exercises on novel processes and driving corrective actions to closure

Core Values — Minimum Qualifications

Safety & Security First For employees, customers, and intellectual property

Demonstrated commitment to maintaining a safe and secure work environment, including adherence to workplace safety protocols, data privacy standards, and confidentiality requirements. Proven ability to identify and appropriately escalate potential risks to personnel, customers, or sensitive information.

Trust & Respect Treat everyone with honesty, dignity, and sensitivity. Embrace different perspectives. Be humble.

Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with individuals of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and working styles. Track record of maintaining professionalism, integrity, and discretion in all workplace interactions.

Ownership & Accountability Take responsibility and action. Set goals and deliver. Don't wait for others.

Demonstrated ability to independently prioritize, execute, and follow through on responsibilities with minimal supervision. Proven track record of setting measurable goals, meeting deadlines, and taking initiative to resolve challenges proactively.

Technical Excellence Always strive for the best solution possible.

Demonstrated commitment to quality and continuous improvement in delivering work product, solutions, and outcomes within area of expertise. Ability to evaluate options critically and apply sound judgment to identify the most effective and scalable solution.

Learn & Be Curious Think outside the box. Always learning.

Demonstrated ability to quickly acquire new skills, tools, or domain knowledge in response to evolving business needs. Proven track record of applying creative or unconventional thinking to solve problems.

Be Resourceful Be hungry, frugal, and flexible. Use what you have. Find a way.

Demonstrated ability to deliver results in resource-constrained environments by maximizing existing tools, processes, and partnerships. Proven ability to adapt and find effective solutions in ambiguous or rapidly changing situations.

Delight Customers Build stronger relationships with internal and external customers.

Demonstrated commitment to understanding and exceeding the needs of internal and/or external customers. Track record of building and maintaining strong, trust-based relationships that drive positive outcomes for all stakeholders.

 

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Able to pass a respirator fit test and wear a respirator periodically.
• Regularly works in an active manufacturing and laboratory environment; standing and walking for a significant portion of the workday (approximately 4-6 hours per day)
• Frequent interaction with process equipment, requiring manual dexterity and the ability to make detailed visual inspections of materials and coated electrodes
• Occasional lifting of items up to 30 lbs (e.g., material containers, equipment components)
• Prolonged periods of screen-based work for data analysis, documentation, and communication
• Regular use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including safety glasses, gloves, and lab coat; additional PPE may be required depending on materials handled
• Travel is estimated at less than 10% of working time. Overseas travel is possible in the event of FAT program execution or in the event of vendor or supplier visits.