Manager, Electrode Scaleup

Blue Current•Hayward, CA

2d•$125,100 - $167,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Manager, Electrode Scaleup leads the development, optimization, and scale-up of electrode manufacturing processes at Blue Current, driving the transition from R&D to pilot-scale production and eventually, toward high-volume manufacturing. This role is responsible for managing a team of process engineers while providing strategic and technical leadership across electrode processing operations, including mixing, coating and drying. Working closely with cell engineering, quality, and manufacturing teams, the Manager establishes process development priorities, drives process capability improvements, oversees scale-up initiatives, and ensures the successful execution of projects that impact product performance, manufacturability, cost, and yield. The Manager, Electrode Scaleup plays a critical role in building organizational capability, developing technical talent, and establishing scalable manufacturing processes that support the company's growth objectives.

Requirements

Ph.D. or M.S. in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Electrochemistry, or a related field
5+ years of experience in process engineering, manufacturing engineering, process development, or scale-up within batteries, advanced materials, chemicals, semiconductors, or a related manufacturing industry.
Experience developing and qualifying manufacturing processes, equipment, and process controls in a production setting.
Proven track record of driving process improvements that enhance yield, quality, throughput, and manufacturing efficiency.
Demonstrated expertise in process development and optimization methodologies, including Design of Experiments (DOE), statistical analysis, process control, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement.
Hands on experience with electrode manufacturing processes and equipment, including slurry preparation, coating, drying, calendaring, and related unit operations.
Ability to analyze complex technical data and make sound engineering decisions based on data and business objectives.
Strong project management and cross-functional leadership skills, with the ability to drive execution across technical and operational teams.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting technical recommendations to senior leadership.
Proficiency with standard data analysis tools sufficient to process, visualize, and communicate process and quality data

Nice To Haves

2+ years of experience leading engineers, technical teams, or cross-functional projects.
Demonstrated experience scaling manufacturing processes from laboratory or pilot environments to larger-scale production.
Familiarity with quality systems, process qualification, risk assessment, and manufacturing documentation practices.

Responsibilities

Establish team objectives, priorities, and resource allocation plans to support Blue Current’s electrode process development and manufacturing scale-up goals.
Lead the development, optimization, and scale-up of electrode manufacturing processes, ensuring alignment with product requirements, manufacturing readiness targets, and company milestones.
Manage a team of electrode process engineers through technical leadership, coaching, performance management, mentorship, and career development.
Define and maintain process specifications, critical process parameters, qualification requirements, and process control strategies to ensure robust, repeatable manufacturing operations.
Partner with the Quality team to establish and continuously improve quality systems, process monitoring methods, and manufacturing acceptance criteria.
Identify and implement process and equipment improvements that enhance yield, throughput, quality, manufacturability, and overall process capability.
Develop and execute the electrode process scale-up strategy, identifying technical risks, capability gaps, infrastructure needs, and capital investments required to transition from R&D to pilot and commercial manufacturing.
Serve as the primary technical interface with equipment vendors, external partners, and contractors, ensuring alignment with Blue Current’s technical requirements and manufacturing roadmap.
Drive cross-functional execution across R&D, cell engineering, manufacturing, quality, and operations teams to support process development, technology transfer, and commercialization activities.
Review technical data, project progress, and engineering recommendations, ensuring decisions are data-driven and aligned with engineering and business objectives.
Communicate project status, technical risks, resource needs, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
Build organizational capability by establishing engineering best practices, documentation standards, and technical training programs that support operational excellence and manufacturing growth.
Fosters a culture of safety, accountability, technical excellence, continuous improvement, and collaboration across the engineering team.
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.