Staff Engineer, Anode R&D

Blue Current•Hayward, CA

3d•$125,100 - $153,000•Onsite

About The Position

Blue Current is seeking a highly experienced and hands-on Staff Engineer, Anode R&D to lead the development and optimization of solid-state anodes. This role is pivotal in bridging slurry formulations to cell-level performance through mastery of rheology, mixing sequences, and material selection. The successful candidate will design and execute sophisticated experiments to evaluate the impact of novel materials, including active/inactive materials and solid-polymer electrolytes. By leveraging advanced electrochemical characterizations and analytical tools, the candidate will correlate anode microstructure with long-term cycling stability and degradation mechanisms. The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in solid electrolytes and silicon/graphite anode chemistry. This role requires a strategic mindset to drive intellectual property and manage collaborations with external vendors and national laboratories.

Requirements

PhD (with 3+ years of industry experience), MS (with 6+ years of experience), or BS (with 8+ years of experience) in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or a related field, with a focus on batteries or electrochemical devices
Hands-on experience in lithium-ion or solid-state battery development, with direct involvement in slurry development or process optimization.
Demonstrated experience developing and optimizing anode slurry and composite electrodes in an industry or applied research environment
Hands-on experience assembling cells and executing electrochemical testing to evaluate material and cell performance
Experience working cross-functionally with materials, cell engineering, and leadership teams to advance programs
Deep knowledge of solid electrolytes, including ion transport dynamics and chemical/mechanical stability requirements
Extensive expertise in anode active materials, specifically focusing on the electrochemical behavior of graphite and silicon anodes
Extensive expertise in full-cell and half-cell testing and interpretation of electrochemical data (e.g., EIS, CV, GITT, dQ/dV analysis)
Familiarity with analytical and characterization tools such as SEM, XRD, TGA, FTIR, DSC, and related techniques
Demonstrated project leadership skills, including the ability to lead cross-functional investigations and deliver high-quality results in a fast-paced environment
Excellent problem-solving and communication skills, with the ability to translate technical findings into strategic engineering steps for senior leadership
Commitment to safety, with experience in following and improving laboratory and pilot-line 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.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience with solid-state battery systems, particularly composite anodes with sulfide-based or polymer-based solid electrolytes
Direct experience with slurry formulation, rheology, and electrode processing for composite materials
Direct experience identifying failure modes and driving root-cause analysis, particularly with silicon and graphite anodes

Responsibilities

Lead development of electrode formulations for solid-state composite anodes to improve energy density, cycling stability, and rate capability.
Optimize mixing sequences and drying kinetics to control electrode microstructure, minimize defects, and enhance dispersion.
Develop advanced diagnostic protocols and post-mortem workflows to characterize particle interfaces and complex electrode-electrolyte reactions.
Validate performance impact by assembling and testing coin and pouch cells (half/full) across varied rate and temperature profiles.
Lead systematic FMEA and RCA efforts to identify and mitigate failure modes specifically related to the anodes and polymer electrolytes.
Establish robust SOPs for material evaluation and slurry process to ensure reproducibility and data integrity.
Serve as the technical interface with external material vendors, characterization facilities, collaborators, and academic or national lab partners.
Lead projects by developing clear, actionable plans with defined milestones and success metrics, managing effective timelines, and ensuring high-quality, on-schedule execution.
Continuously survey and interpret literature on solid-state battery materials and architectures, integrating key insights into the company’s technical strategies.
Drive innovation and IP development 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.