Process Engineer II (Drying and Crystallization)

Solid Power•Thornton, CO

42d•Onsite

About The Position

Solid Power is seeking a Process Engineer II to join our talented team of engineers and scientists working to revolutionize the battery industry through the development of next-generation, all solid-state rechargeable batteries. Solid Power is a public company with a dynamic, fast-paced, and highly collaborative environment where innovation thrives. This role will play a key part in commissioning, qualifying, and sustaining the drying and crystallization unit operations on our electrolyte line as we introduce new process equipment. The preferred candidate will have hands-on process engineering experience with drying and high temperature solid-state crystallization processes, along with the ability to take a unit operation from new equipment through qualification and into stable production.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science Engineering, or a related field of study.
2+ years of process engineering experience in chemical, battery, advanced materials, or powder manufacturing.
Hands-on experience developing, commissioning, or sustaining a drying process in an industrial or pilot-scale setting.
Hands-on experience developing, commissioning, or sustaining a high temperature solid-state crystallization or calcination process in an industrial or pilot-scale setting.
Working knowledge of the fundamentals underlying drying and thermal processing, including heat and mass transfer, drying kinetics, and phase transformation.
Experience developing or scaling processes and commissioning new equipment, from development or pilot scale into production.
Experience characterizing powder products against specifications such as particle size distribution, morphology, moisture or residual solvent, and phase or crystallinity.
Working knowledge of design of experiments and statistical analysis, with proficiency in JMP or Minitab.
Experience with PFMEA, process hazard analysis, and root cause analysis.
Comfortable working with powder processes and handling materials safely.
General knowledge of OSHA standards, international fire code, electrical area classification (C1D2 or C1D1) and EPA requirements.
Strong communication skills and the ability to build working relationships with operators, production, and other engineering teams.
Willingness to work hands-on in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.
Familiarity with lean manufacturing and Six Sigma tools

Nice To Haves

Experience handling air and moisture sensitive materials, or working in dry room or inert atmosphere environments preferred.

Responsibilities

Own the process for the drying and crystallization unit operations of electrolyte production, including defining and maintaining process parameters, operating windows, and control strategies that consistently meet material specifications.
Use process development data and engineering inputs to define the process windows and conditions to explore during equipment commissioning, validation and normal operations.
Lead the process side of commissioning and validation for new drying and crystallization equipment, working closely with electrolyte systems engineering, production, and equipment engineering to confirm the process is capable and ready for production.
Translate material specifications such as particle size distribution, morphology, residual solvent, and crystallinity into process parameters and in-process controls.
Use SCADA and batch record data to monitor process performance, identify drift, and determine critical process parameters.
Lead root cause analysis and corrective action for process issues affecting throughput, yield, quality, safety, and process stability.
Apply statistical tools such as JMP or Minitab to evaluate process changes and confirm whether results are meaningfully different.
Participate in and lead PFMEAs, process hazard analyses, and management of change for these unit operations, and implement layers of protection to keep the process safe.
Develop and maintain SOPs and work instructions for equipment and process operations.
Provide the process requirements that equipment engineering uses to specify new equipment with vendors, and support installation and start-up from the process side.
Build strong working relationships with operators and the production team and support day-to-day operations on the line.
Partner with process optimization engineering on continuous improvement projects for these unit operations.
Assist EH&S in maintaining occupational safety on the manufacturing floor.