Senior Electrolyte Scientist

Blue Current•Hayward, CA

1h•$111,600 - $160,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Electrolyte Scientist is a key individual contributor who works in complex team environments and drives mission-critical projects that impact annual company milestones. The role requires deep knowledge of battery electrolyte performance and testing methodology, and the ability to develop hypotheses from information across the organization and execute plans using organizational resources. The scientist develops and tests polymer electrolyte materials, evaluates them alongside other cell components, and relates material properties to component characteristics and cell performance. The role also involves designing and executing experiments, analyzing data, defining and advancing projects, communicating findings and recommendations to senior management, surveying relevant literature, and driving innovation and intellectual property development in solid-state batteries. Work takes place in a combination of standard office environments and laboratory spaces, potentially including dry rooms, chemistry labs, cell test labs, machine shops, and gloveboxes. The specific work environment may change over time. Regular business hours are required, with occasional evening or weekend work during peak periods. Intermittent domestic or international travel may be required but is not standard. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship.

Requirements

PhD in a relevant field; or an MS and 3 years of relevant experience; or a BS and 5 years of relevant experience; or 10 years of related industry experience.
Demonstrated ability to test and measure electrolyte transport properties.
Demonstrated ability to analyze electrochemical data and improve battery performance through optimization, including interfacial impedance reduction strategies, ceramic and polymer electrolyte processing challenges, and chemical degradation modes of battery layer sub-components.
Demonstrated ability to work within a team.
Detailed understanding of solid-state battery cell architecture and formulation, including the functional role of materials in all cell components.
Proficiency with analytical and electrochemical characterization techniques such as EIS, CV, SEM, XRD, TGA, and DSC, and ability to interpret results to inform design or process decisions.
Ability to condense complex data into clearly presented analysis, conclusions, and recommendations.
Ability to work in a team environment, mentor junior employees, and serve as a source of truth for senior employees within the team.
Demonstrated commitment to maintaining a safe and secure work environment, following workplace safety protocols, data privacy standards, and confidentiality requirements.
Ability to identify and appropriately escalate potential risks to personnel, customers, or sensitive information.
Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and working styles, while maintaining professionalism, integrity, and discretion.
Ability to independently prioritize, execute, and follow through on responsibilities with minimal supervision; set measurable goals, meet deadlines, and proactively resolve challenges.
Commitment to quality and continuous improvement, with sound judgment in critically evaluating options and selecting effective, scalable solutions.
Ability to acquire new skills, tools, or domain knowledge as business needs evolve and to apply creative thinking to problem-solving.
Ability to deliver results in resource-constrained environments and adapt effectively to ambiguous or rapidly changing situations.
Commitment to understanding and exceeding internal and/or external customer needs and building strong, trust-based relationships.
Ability to sit at a workstation and use a computer for up to 8 hours per day.
Ability to work in a glovebox and use machines or hand tools for up to 8 hours per day.
Ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs. occasionally.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

Experience with polymer electrolytes and electrochemical cell testing and analysis, including combinations of ion transport measurements, mechanical testing, polymer rheology, cycle life testing, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
Experience interfacing polymer and ceramic electrolytes, measuring interfacial impedance, and evaluating strategies to minimize it.
Demonstrated ability to bring new materials from concept to fruition through combinations of synthesis, materials processing, cell assembly and testing, and engineering analysis.
Data analysis experience, including applying statistics, conducting novel analysis, presenting distilled data from complex datasets, writing data analysis scripts, or interpreting complex electrochemistry data.

Responsibilities

Develop and test polymer electrolyte materials to improve cell performance, including evaluation of transport and mechanical properties.
Evaluate polymer electrolytes in conjunction with other cell components, such as ceramic electrolytes and active materials.
Relate polymer chemical and physical properties to component characteristics and cell performance; optimize processes to maximize component performance.
Design and execute high-quality experiments, balancing accuracy, speed, and competing company resources.
Define projects consistent with company goals, track action items, drive progress to completion, and report results.
Analyze data from multiple sources, including experimental data generated by the scientist.
Identify gaps or overlooked problems and present findings to senior management with clear, data-driven communications and recommendations.
Survey and interpret literature on solid-state battery materials and architectures, integrating insights into company technical strategies.
Drive innovation and intellectual property development by exploring novel materials, cell designs, and processing approaches that advance solid-state cell performance.
Perform other duties as assigned, consistent with the scope and level of the position.