About Blue Current
Blue Current (the “Company”) is the industry leader in the development of silicon solid state batteries. Free of flammable liquid electrolytes, Blue Current’s fully dry, inherently safe batteries significantly reduce risks to human and environmental health while providing a higher-performance alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries. Blue Current’s silicon-based platform is highly adaptable, enabling a cost-effective solution for both the mobility and stationary storage markets. Blue Current’s team works out of its state-of-the-art headquarters and pilot line facility in Hayward, California. To learn more about Blue Current, Inc., visit http://bluecurrent.com.
Position Summary
We're looking for a Sr Cell Engineer to lead the technical work of moving Blue Current's cell technology from early-stage R&D through scaled production. You'll stay engaged across the full cell development arc, from working alongside scientists on novel cell designs and materials, to partnering with manufacturing and process engineers to make those designs buildable at scale. An ideal candidate brings genuine expertise, creativity, open-ended problem solving capability, and the ability to work cross-functionally in mid-size-and-growing organizations. In this role, you'll operate independently on complex technical problems, own your area of work end-to-end, and will be responsible for project design and execution within your domain.
Essential Functions & Responsibilities
- Designs and executes hypothesis-driven experiments to understand and improve cell performance, using a mix of analytical techniques (chemical/material metrology like SEM, spectroscopy, etc) and statistical techniques (design of experiments, regression, and capability analysis)
- Leads root cause analysis on cell underperformance and unexpected failures, developing mechanistic explanations rather than correlations, and driving the design or process changes that eliminate the cause.
- Investigates material and interface failure modes (e.g. degradation, delamination, contact loss, mechanical fracture, contamination), and quantifies their contribution to performance loss and yield loss
- Directs cell characterization and post-mortem analysis in partnership with metrology, selecting the techniques that discriminate between competing failure hypotheses rather than merely describing the result
- Leads new cell design introduction from small-format research samples through pilot and production-representative builds. Successful engineers identify scale-sensitive failure modes early, and work with the manufacturing team and R&D to iterate and solve problems
- Defines cell design requirements that balance electrochemical performance, mechanical robustness, and process capability, and develops cell designs and processes as the cell is scaled out of the lab to ensure high quality product rollout
- Collaborates with research scientists on new cell chemistries, electrolyte systems, electrode architectures. Collaborates with process engineers to ensure scalability.
- Documents experimental findings, cell specifications, and design-of-record revisions so that conclusions and the evidence behind them remain traceable across research, engineering, and manufacturing
- Mentors junior engineers and technicians in experimental design, failure analysis, and characterization practice. Represents cell engineering in cross-functional technical planning and project execution
- Models and improves laboratory safety practices, demonstrating sound experimental technique and helping implement best-practice updates
- Other duties as assigned, consistent with the scope and level of this position
Minimum Qualifications
Education
- PhD in relevant field, or MS (with 3+ years of relevant experience), or BS (with 5+ years of relevant experience); relevant fields include Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or a related field, with a focus on batteries or electrochemical devices
Experience
- Demonstrated experience taking a cell design from laboratory scale through at least one meaningful scale-up stage, such as a format change, process transfer, or production pilot
- Hands-on experience with cell build unit operations (including 3 or more of: coating, calendering, slitting, stacking or winding, electrolyte or separator integration, sealing, and formation) and an understanding of how variation in each affects performance and yield
- Experience designing and interpreting cell characterization studies, including rate testing, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and cycle life testing
- Experience conducting failure analysis and connecting observed failure modes to upstream process or design root causes
Skills & Knowledge
- Technical foundation in electrochemical cell design, including electrode architecture, stack design, electrolyte-electrode compatibility, and the trade-offs between performance and manufacturability
- Statistical fluency sufficient to design experiments that support defensible conclusions, and to analyze cell test results (A/B, run charts, DOE analysis, and related)
- Clear technical writing sufficient to author and maintain cell specifications, SOPs and build documentation that other functions rely on
- Ability to communicate across research, process engineering, quality, and operations, and to make decisions with incomplete information while stating assumptions explicitly
Certifications / Licenses
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with dry room or glovebox build environments and the constraints they place on cell design and material handling
- Experience defining cell architecture (format, stack design, current collector configuration, sealing approach) in a scaleup environment
- Experience contributing to equipment and capability roadmap planning, including identifying gaps between current infrastructure and scaleup requirements
- Background in structured problem-solving methods such as design failure mode and effects analysis or experience in root cause analysis with cell teardowns and deep material analytics
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
- Regularly works in an active laboratory and manufacturing environment; standing and walking for a significant portion of the workday (approximately 4-6 hours per day)
- Frequent hands-on interaction with cell build equipment and components, requiring manual dexterity and the ability to make detailed visual inspections of electrodes and assembled cells
- Occasional lifting and carrying of items up to 30 lbs (e.g., material containers, equipment components, test fixtures)
- Prolonged periods of screen-based work for data analysis, documentation, and communication
- Regular use of personal protective equipment including safety glasses, gloves, and lab coat; additional protective equipment may be required depending on materials handled
- Able to pass a respirator fit test and wear a respirator periodically
- Work in dry room and glovebox environments with extremely low humidity may be required
- Travel is estimated at less than 10% of working time and is primarily domestic; overseas travel is possible in the event of factory acceptance testing or vendor and supplier visits
- Standard weekday business hours; occasional evening or weekend availability may be required during build campaigns or long-running tests
Salary Range
$111,600 - $160,000 USD
Equal Opportunity Employment Statement
Blue Current is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
At-Will Employment & Disclaimer
Employment at Blue Current is at-will. This means that either the employee or Blue Current may terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason or no reason, with or without cause, and with or without advance notice, subject to applicable law. This job description does not create an express or implied contract of employment, nor does it alter the at-will nature of the employment relationship. The duties, responsibilities, and qualifications described herein are subject to change at the Company's discretion and do not represent all tasks that may be required of this role.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for sponsorship now or in the future.