Cell Development Engineer, SMTS
About The Position
QuantumScape is on a mission to transform energy storage with solid-state lithium-metal battery technology. The company’s next-generation batteries are designed to enable greater energy density, faster charging and enhanced safety to support the transition away from legacy energy sources toward a lower carbon future. What we need: We’re looking for a Senior Cell Development Engineer to help shape the technical direction of our next generation cells. You’ll define strategy, orchestrate multi‑quarter development programs, and mentor engineers while staying close to the work—uncovering mechanisms and translating them into concrete changes to cell components, design, and processes.
Requirements
- Recent PhD in a engineering or science (or Master’s 3+ / Bachelor’s 5+ with equivalent impact).
- Repeated track record of leading complex, cross‑functional programs from concept to production impact.
- Deep expertise in electrochemical systems and reliability of lithium‑based cells; strong intuition for mechanisms.
- Advanced statistics and Python‑based analysis; comfort with survival analysis, tolerance intervals, and DoE at scale.
- Exceptional technical communication
Nice To Haves
- Experience shipping cell technologies into pilot or production and improving yield/reliability at scale.
- Experience with mentoring and technical leadership.
- Strong background with automated assembly, in‑line inspection, and metrology data pipelines.
- IP contributions (patents/publications) in batteries, reliability, or manufacturing science.
Responsibilities
- Own segments of the development roadmap for key cell platforms; identify mechanisms, prioritize bets, and set validation strategies.
- Operationalize hypothesis-driven loops (design → build → evaluate) generating fast feedback to drive design decisions
- Lead reliability modeling and risk quantification (e.g., Weibull, Kaplan–Meier); connect insights to design rules and process windows.
- Mentor and develop engineers; review designs/analyses; publish internal guidance that accelerates learning org‑wide.
- Communicate decisions crisply to executives and partners; ensure corrective actions stick in production.
Benefits
- QuantumScape also offers an annual bonus and a generous RSU/Equity package as part of its compensation plan.
- In addition, we do offer a tremendous benefits plan including employee paid health care, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), and other benefits.
- We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
- We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive benefits and privileges of employment.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
Number of Employees
501-1,000 employees
