Staff Cell Development Engineer - SOFC

Bloom Energy•San Jose, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Bloom Energy is seeking a Staff Cell Development Engineer to join its cell development team and develop new solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) materials and architectures. The role is based in San Jose, California, and is fully onsite in the office five days per week. The engineer will draw on expertise in electrochemistry and high-temperature materials to identify promising materials, define functional requirements, establish and execute characterization studies at the component and stack levels, and evaluate performance and degradation against established metrics. The role involves developing materials, architectures, and processes for SOFC electrodes, electrolytes, seals, coatings, and supports; evaluating inks, powders, and processing methods; and establishing component-level tests, equipment, and protocols to study performance, robustness, and degradation mechanisms. The engineer will prepare and test fuel cell components and stacks, conduct post-mortem analysis, plan and analyze experiments, and communicate results to technical and cross-functional teams. They will also help define component specifications, work with suppliers, analyze production or field data, and lead risk mitigation for new technologies and processes. Bloom Energy develops solid oxide fuel cell and electrolyzer technologies intended to provide clean, reliable energy. The company states its aim is to contribute to a renewable energy future and to make employment decisions on the basis of merit as an equal opportunity employer.

Requirements

Experience developing and characterizing SOFC materials.
Very strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to work independently and effectively within cross-functional teams in a fluid, fast-paced environment.
Exceptional analytical skills and attention to detail.
Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deliverable deadlines amid changing requirements, deadlines, and priorities.
Self-starter and team player with a can-do attitude; resourceful and able to think about the big picture.
Expertise with materials characterization techniques, including SEM, EDS, and XRD, and electrochemical diagnostics such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).

Nice To Haves

Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy degree in Materials Science & Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or Physics.

Responsibilities

Develop new SOFC materials and architectures as part of the cell development team.
Lead testing and development of new components.
Identify promising materials, define functional requirements, establish and execute component- and stack-level characterization studies, and evaluate performance and degradation against established metrics.
Develop materials, architectures, and processes for SOFC electrodes, electrolytes, seals, coatings, and supports.
Evaluate new inks, powders, and processing methods.
Establish component-level tests, test equipment, and testing protocols to study performance, robustness, and degradation mechanisms.
Prepare and test fuel cell components and stacks.
Conduct post-mortem analysis of test articles and use materials characterization techniques to investigate cell performance.
Develop and execute test protocols to evaluate component performance, lifetime, and robustness.
Plan and conduct design of experiments (DOEs) for fuel cells and stacks, analyze data, and communicate results to the technical team.
Work with cross-functional teams to define component specifications.
Work with raw material and component suppliers to meet technical requirements.
Apply statistical techniques to production and/or field data to learn about product performance, reliability, and yield.
Conduct cross-functional failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) reviews to quantify risks, identify mitigations, and lead risks to closure.