Senior Technician, Advanced Manufacturing

Blue Current•Hayward, CA

6d•$30 - $47•Onsite

About The Position

Blue Current is seeking a hands-on Senior Technician to support production of battery materials and assembly of high-performance battery cells. The role executes fabrication steps, operates pilot-scale equipment, and performs material characterization independently while following established workflows and contributing to safe, efficient lab operations in a fast-paced development setting. The Senior Technician performs mid- to high-complexity manufacturing tasks with minimal supervision, owns routine equipment operation, troubleshoots process deviations, and supports continuous improvement. The position may also provide guidance to junior technicians and reinforce safety, documentation, and equipment-handling best practices. The role contributes to material preparation, electrode processing, cell assembly, characterization, and pilot-line operations. It works closely with engineers and lead technicians on trials, data collection, process development, and improvements to process consistency, quality, and throughput. Work is performed in a laboratory or dry room environment, with adaptable core hours and potentially increased availability during peak periods.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in a technical field, or equivalent hands-on training or experience in a manufacturing environment.
At least 3 years of hands-on experience in a technical, laboratory, or precision manufacturing environment, such as batteries, semiconductors, medical devices, aerospace, or automotive.
Hands-on experience in at least one of the following: powder mixing or processing, slurry preparation and mixing, electrode coating, or cell assembly and packaging.
Proficiency operating in gloveboxes, dry rooms, or equivalent controlled environments.
Ability to independently execute routine and moderately complex procedures.
Ability to troubleshoot equipment and process issues.
Strong documentation, organization, and communication skills.
Proficiency with Excel, Word, or other data-logging tools.
Commitment to safety, cleanliness, and consistent execution.
Strong understanding of laboratory procedures, chemical handling, or precision manufacturing tasks.
Ability to perform precise manual tasks while standing at a glovebox for extended periods, up to 8 hours per day.
Fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination to manipulate tools and materials through integrated gloves or sleeves.
Ability to stand or maintain a slightly leaned position for long durations, including reaching and extending arms within a glovebox environment.
Ability to lift, carry, and maneuver equipment or materials weighing up to 25 lbs occasionally.
Demonstrated commitment to a safe and secure work environment, including adherence to 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 individuals of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and working styles, and maintain professionalism, integrity, and discretion.
Ability to independently prioritize, execute, and follow through with minimal supervision; set measurable goals, meet deadlines, and proactively resolve challenges.
Commitment to quality and continuous improvement, sound judgment, and identifying effective and scalable solutions.
Ability to quickly acquire new skills, tools, or domain knowledge and apply creative thinking to solve problems.
Ability to deliver results in resource-constrained environments and adapt to ambiguous or rapidly changing situations.
Commitment to understanding and exceeding internal or external customer needs and building trust-based working relationships.
Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

Experience with battery or electronics fabrication processes, including powder or slurry mixing, coating (roll-to-roll, slot-die, or equivalent), assembly, stacking, or ultrasonic welding.
Exposure to early-stage pilot-line environments.
Experience with analytical tools such as microscopy, thickness gauges, or viscometers.
Experience working in a clean room or chemical laboratory environment.
Coursework or interest in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, or related fields.

Responsibilities

Independently perform battery manufacturing tasks such as powder processing, slurry mixing, electrode coating, cell assembly, and formation.
Operate gloveboxes, roll-to-roll equipment, mixing systems, stackers, welders, and pouch sealers with minimal supervision.
Conduct intermediate-level materials and cell characterization using tools such as viscometers, rheometers, particle size analyzers, microscopes, and thickness gauges.
Troubleshoot routine equipment and process issues, escalating complex problems to senior staff.
Perform cell assembly steps such as stacking, winding, ultrasonic welding, and pouch sealing.
Set up and operate equipment according to established SOPs; clean and maintain assigned tools.
Identify and communicate equipment or process issues, sources of process variation, and opportunities for improvement.
Perform basic root-cause investigations for deviations and collaborate with engineers on corrective actions.
Support preventative maintenance and recognize early signs of equipment degradation.
Maintain accurate process records, equipment logs, and material traceability.
Follow and provide feedback on SOPs and work instructions, and maintain organized documentation and process evidence for quality audits.
Identify and communicate material or process issues that may affect build quality or timelines.
Follow safety procedures for chemical handling, glovebox operation, PPE, and dry room environments; review and follow SDS guidelines.
Maintain a clean, organized workspace and lead 5S and general lab upkeep.
Track consumable and material inventory, restock, and coordinate with purchasing to prevent shortages.
Work with engineers and lead technicians to execute trials, collect data, and support process development.
Provide guidance and training to fellow technicians and operators on equipment operation, documentation standards, and new tools, materials, or processes.
Communicate observations and collaborate on problem-solving, daily workflow, and production goals.
Communicate across shifts and with cross-functional teams to support alignment and smooth execution.
Perform other duties as assigned, consistent with the scope and level of the position.