Principal Engineering Technician I, Development

Sila•Alameda, CA

9d•$44 - $55•Onsite

About The Position

Sila is a next-generation battery materials company working to advance clean energy through battery materials that increase energy density while reducing battery size and weight. The Principal Engineering Technician I supports Sila’s R&D teams in developing and operating pilot-scale tool sets. The role facilitates rapid technology development and operationalization by balancing development flexibility with the rigor needed in production environments. It serves as a bridge between R&D, Operations, and Maintenance on the manufacturing and pilot floor, with a strong focus on safety, procedural detail, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or an associate or technical degree in an engineering or technical discipline, such as mechanical, chemical, or industrial technology; equivalent military training is also accepted.
At least 5 years of experience as an operations technician, lab technician, chemical process operator, or pilot plant technician in a hardware, semiconductor, battery, chemical, or advanced manufacturing environment.
Comfort using basic hand tools, torque wrenches, impact drivers, and similar tools, and ability to train peers in their proper use and operating procedures.
Experience working safely with hazardous materials, pyrophoric or flammable specialty gases, or fine powders in compliance with OSHA and site E&HS guidelines.
Track record of following, executing, and improving rigorous SOPs and standard work instructions without taking unauthorized shortcuts.
Proficiency with digital data-entry and inventory systems and basic digital collaboration tools such as Google Workspace or MS Office.
Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting operational status updates to engineering teams and teaching or cross-training team members.
Optimization mindset and openness to collecting and giving feedback to drive system improvements.

Responsibilities

Manage and execute test runs on pilot-scale reactors, including preparing inputs, loading and unloading reactors, starting and monitoring runs, and troubleshooting faults.
Track and collect pre- and post-run samples, package and store intermediate products, and route samples for analytics.
Track run-quality data and maintain test-run data entry and labeling.
Label input and output materials accurately and manage inventories of raw materials, consumables, spares, PPE, and related items.
Partner with Maintenance and Development teams to develop SOPs and schedule preventative maintenance for development reactors and supporting systems, including powder hoods, dust-handling systems, and abatement systems.
Author and refine SOPs for development reactors and associated subsystems.
Train and check off operators and drive 5S organization for development areas.