R&D Technician

Blue Current•Hayward, CA

109d•Onsite

About The Position

Blue Current is seeking an experienced and talented R&D Technician with a passion for batteries to join our team in Hayward, California. As a hands-on member of Blue Current’s R&D team, you will be instrumental in developing next-generation solid state battery chemistries for high performance applications such as electric vehicles. The successful candidate will build and test prototype batteries in furtherance of Blue Current’s technology.

Requirements

Minimum 5 years experience working in an R&D environment
Ability to work in a dry room and in gloveboxes for extended periods of time
Ability to follow written SOPs and identify errors or clarity issues
Working knowledge of Excel, Word, Google Sheet, Airtable, and similar software
Strong interpersonal skills. Must be able to deal with a fast paced working environment with changing priorities and evolving assembly and test procedures
Respect and adherence to lab and work safety policies
Required to wear personal protective equipment when applicable.
Able to pass a respirator fit test and wear a respirator periodically.
Able to work in office, lab, and manufacturing environments with chemicals, moving mechanical parts, and electrical hazards.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with battery assembly and/or testing
Previous glovebox/dry room experience
Experience assembling R&D cells, including electrode punching, tab welding, alignment, taping, and quality control checks
Previous chemical handling experience, including slurry mixing, coating, inventory management

Responsibilities

Work with team members to perform all tasks related to R&D cell building and testing
Follow recipes to create slurries for various battery formulations
Coat slurries using a Dr blade or similar coating method
Calender electrodes to target porosities, following instructions from engineers
Assemble solid state cells according to work order instructions specifying certain material combinations to test
Perform visual quality checks on coating quality, and take measurements to ensure various weights, voltages, dimensions, etc. are within specifications
Enter measurement results into internal data portal, ensuring completeness and accuracy
Assemble completed cells into test fixtures
Place cells on test with specific test protocols, and with specific test channels as determined by the team.
Monitor cell test status. Alert team members to tests with status changes such as errors, completion, and change orders.
Perform electromechanical assembly tasks as needed, such as terminating cables and soldering wires