Senior Cell Engineer, Cathode

Blue Current•Hayward, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

As a Sr. Cell Engineer, you will be focused on developing new solid state electrode materials with a specific focus on Blue Current’s composite cathode technology. Through careful design of experiments, you will be testing and integrating novel cathode active materials and solid electrolytes into a solid-state battery cathode. Hands-on experience in electrochemistry of lithium-ion battery, electrode formulations and processing is required. A background in materials science, chemical engineering, chemistry, physics, or a related field is preferred. This position will offer hands-on, fast-paced work in a growing team that has a shared passion to change the energy storage landscape.

Requirements

PhD, MS (with 3+ years of industry experience), or BS (with 5+ years of experience) in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or a related field, with a focus on batteries or electrochemical devices
Experience in battery R&D, with a strong focus on lithium-ion or solid-state battery systems
Demonstrated experience working with electrochemical materials, cathodes, or full-cell development in an industry or applied research environment
Experience preparing and optimizing composite cathodes, including slurry formulation and processing
Hands-on experience assembling cells and performing electrochemical testing to evaluate material and cell performance
Proven ability to plan, execute, and deliver on R&D projects in collaboration with cross-functional teams
Experience with electrochemical testing techniques such as EIS, GITT, HPPC, CV, and related methods
Familiarity with analytical and characterization tools such as SEM, XRD, TGA, FTIR, DSC, and related techniques
Ability to analyze and interpret relationships between material properties, electrode design, and cell performance
Strong data analysis, documentation, and structured problem-solving skills
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly present complex technical results to cross-functional teams and leadership
Strong interpersonal and organizational skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively to solve technical challenges
High attention to detail and commitment to experimental rigor and data quality
Commitment to safety and experience following and improving laboratory best practices
Demonstrated commitment to maintaining a safe and secure work environment, including adherence to workplace safety protocols, data privacy standards, and confidentiality requirements.
Proven ability to identify and appropriately escalate potential risks to personnel, customers, or sensitive information.
Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with individuals of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and working styles.
Track record of maintaining professionalism, integrity, and discretion in all workplace interactions.
Demonstrated ability to independently prioritize, execute, and follow through on responsibilities with minimal supervision.
Proven track record of setting measurable goals, meeting deadlines, and taking initiative to resolve challenges proactively.
Demonstrated commitment to quality and continuous improvement in delivering work product, solutions, and outcomes within area of expertise.
Ability to evaluate options critically and apply sound judgment to identify the most effective and scalable solution.
Demonstrated ability to quickly acquire new skills, tools, or domain knowledge in response to evolving business needs.
Proven track record of applying creative or unconventional thinking to solve problems.
Demonstrated ability to deliver results in resource-constrained environments by maximizing existing tools, processes, and partnerships.
Proven ability to adapt and find effective solutions in ambiguous or rapidly changing situations.
Demonstrated commitment to understanding and exceeding the needs of internal and/or external customers.
Track record of building and maintaining strong, trust-based relationships that drive positive outcomes for all stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience with solid-state battery systems, particularly composite cathodes and solid electrolytes
Experience with slurry rheology, dispersion, and stability optimization for electrode fabrication
Familiarity with advanced characterization or in situ/operando techniques
Track record of innovation through patents, publications, or internal IP contributions

Responsibilities

Develop and test composite solid state cathode materials and formulations that improve cell performance and safety.
Prepare and characterize solid state cathode composites and slurries (for example, rheology, stability, conductivity, dispersion, etc.) using state-of-the-art tools.
Optimize and engineer composite solid-state cathodes based on a strong understanding of how that cathode interacts with the solid electrolyte.
Assemble solid state cells and perform electrochemical testing to analyze the impact of cathode active materials and electrode composition on cell performance.
Characterize cell materials using various analytical (e.g. SEM, XRD, TGA, etc.) and electrochemical (e.g. EIS and CV) techniques.
Document and analyze electrochemical tests and analytical characterization results to measure the impact of cathode material properties on cell performance.
Clearly communicate complex results to cross-functional teams and senior leadership.
Work with cross-functional teams ensuring high-quality, on-schedule execution of projects.
Continuously survey and interpret literature on solid-state battery materials and architectures, integrating key insights into the company’s technical strategies.
Contribute to the company's IP portfolio by exploring novel materials, cell designs, and processing approaches that advance solid-state cell performance.
Support a strong safety culture by following and improving laboratory safety practices, demonstrating exemplary experimental techniques, and helping implement best-practice updates.