Electrochemical Scientist

HRL Laboratories•Malibu, CA

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated Electrochemical Scientist to drive the understanding and development of electrochemical materials, processes, and systems. This role emphasizes a science-first approach—grounded in experimental rigor, mechanistic insight, and curiosity—while maintaining a strong bias toward practical execution and real-world impact. The successful candidate will design and conduct experiments to investigate electrodeposition, interfacial electrochemistry, and electrolyte systems. This includes developing a deep understanding of nucleation, growth, mass transport, and interfacial phenomena, and using those insights to guide the development of robust, scalable processes and technologies.

Requirements

M.S. degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field
Minimum of 3 years of relevant industry or applied research experience in electrochemical systems
Strong foundation in fundamentals of electrochemical kinetics, thermodynamics, and transport phenomena
Hands-on experience with electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and chronoamperometry
Experience with electrodeposition, electrochemical synthesis, or related experimental systems
Familiarity with materials characterization techniques (e.g., SEM, TEM, XRD) and correlating structure to electrochemical behavior
Demonstrated ability to design thoughtful experiments and extract meaningful insights from complex data
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts across disciplines
Self-motivated, curious, and eager to learn, with a focus on driving progress and delivering results, not just completing tasks

Nice To Haves

Experience in semiconductor electrochemistry, thin-film growth, or energy storage systems
Experience or aptitude building electrochemical apparatus for synthesis, processing, or analysis
Exposure to scaling electrochemical processes from lab to pilot scale
Experience collaborating closely with engineering teams to translate scientific findings into applications
Programming experience (e.g., Python or similar) for data analysis, automation, or experimental control
Familiarity with modeling or simulation of electrochemical systems

Responsibilities

Designing and executing hypothesis-driven experiments to probe electrochemical mechanisms and material behavior
Developing and refining electrodeposition processes and electrochemical synthesis routes with attention to reproducibility and scalability
Translating experimental findings into actionable insights that inform process development and system design
Analyzing and interpreting electrochemical and materials data to connect structure, properties, and performance
Investigating interfacial phenomena, charge transfer processes, and transport limitations to uncover performance drivers
Contributing to the development of functional systems or prototypes (e.g., energy storage, semiconductor processing, coatings)
Communicating results clearly and effectively through presentations, reports, and cross-functional collaboration
Partnering with engineers and materials scientists to bridge fundamental understanding with practical implementation