Staff Engineer, Cell Process Development

QuantumScape Corporation•San Jose, CA

5d•$136,700 - $208,500•Onsite

About The Position

QuantumScape is seeking an experienced Staff Engineer to own critical manufacturing processes on its Gen 1 solid-state battery line across FSD and Development production lines. The role focuses on precision process engineering, manufacturing process control, yield improvement, complex investigations, and continuous improvement. The engineer will define and optimize recipes, control plans, specifications, monitoring strategies, and response protocols; qualify processes after equipment or process changes; analyze production and metrology data; and collaborate with Manufacturing, Metrology, Quality, Operations, equipment engineers, and technicians. The position also provides technical guidance to junior engineers and supports transferring process knowledge and controls to higher-volume production lines. The role is performed onsite five days per week. Work may take place in a dry room, fume hood, lab area, or glovebox and requires use of PPE. The expected salary range is $136,700–$208,500, with final salary based on experience, education, and internal equity. Compensation also includes an annual bonus and RSU/equity package. Benefits include employee-paid health care and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), among other benefits. QuantumScape is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field, with 8+ years of process engineering experience in a manufacturing environment; or a master’s degree with 6+ years of relevant experience.
Demonstrated expertise in precision process engineering in a production or high-precision manufacturing environment.
Hands-on experience developing, optimizing, and controlling automated manufacturing processes.
Strong proficiency in statistical process control (SPC), DOE methodology, and data analysis tools such as Python, JMP, or equivalent.
Ability to independently lead complex process investigations and drive corrective actions to closure.
Experience writing and maintaining SOPs, process specifications, and engineering documentation in a quality-managed environment.
Strong cross-functional communication and influencing skills, including the ability to drive alignment across teams with competing priorities.

Nice To Haves

Experience with KNS dispense units or similar high-precision automated dispense platforms.
Background in battery manufacturing, semiconductor, or other high-precision thin-film or materials deposition processes.
Familiarity with CAPA systems, MSA/GRR studies, and CTQ-based process qualification.
Experience supporting process transfer or new product introduction (NPI) to higher-volume production.

Responsibilities

Own assigned manufacturing processes on the Gen 1 battery line across FSD and Development line operations.
Define, maintain, and optimize process recipes, control plans, and process specifications to ensure stability and repeatability.
Establish and maintain process monitoring strategies, including control limits, SPC charts, and response protocols for out-of-control conditions.
Lead process qualification and requalification after equipment maintenance, upgrades, or process changes.
Identify yield-loss mechanisms and lead root-cause analysis using structured methodologies such as 8D, fishbone, and 5-Why.
Design and execute DOEs to optimize process parameters, improve process margins, and reduce variability.
Analyze production and metrology data to develop process insights and implement data-driven improvements.
Partner with Quality and Metrology teams to define and maintain CTQ metrics and measurement systems for process-critical attributes.
Diagnose and resolve complex process and equipment interactions to minimize yield impact and production downtime.
Develop and maintain process-level troubleshooting guides and response procedures for production excursions.
Collaborate with equipment engineers and technicians to reflect process requirements in maintenance and PM strategies.
Maintain and update SOPs, process specifications, and engineering documentation for assigned process areas.
Work with Manufacturing, Metrology, Quality, and Operations to ensure process requirements are understood and met across functions.
Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers on process fundamentals, control strategy, and best practices.
Represent assigned processes in engineering reviews, CRB submissions, and cross-functional technical discussions.
Support process transfers to higher-volume production lines, ensuring process knowledge and control strategies are effectively scaled.