Staff Technician, Advanced Manufacturing

Blue Current•Hayward, CA

10d•$32 - $49•Onsite

About The Position

Blue Current is seeking a hands-on Staff Technician to lead daily operations in its solid-state battery pilot manufacturing line. The role executes fabrication steps, operates equipment, follows established workflows, and contributes to safe and efficient lab operations in a fast-paced development setting. The Staff Technician leads hands-on production of battery materials and/or cell builds and helps guide manufacturing workflows, documentation, and quality standards. The position independently runs complex equipment, troubleshoots process issues, and supports cross-functional teams through expert-level data generation and analysis. It reports to the Senior Manager, Pilot Line. This senior-level role also drives innovation and mentors junior technicians as the company scales toward commercial production. Work takes place in a standard R&D laboratory environment. Core hours are adaptable, though increased availability may be required during peak periods. The role requires standing at a glovebox for extended periods, potentially up to eight hours per day, performing precise manual tasks, and occasionally lifting, carrying, or maneuvering materials or equipment weighing up to 25 pounds. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in a technical field, or equivalent hands-on training or experience.
At least 4 years of hands-on experience in a technical, laboratory, or precision manufacturing environment, such as batteries, semiconductors, medical devices, aerospace, or automotive.
Demonstrated ownership of processes or equipment, including troubleshooting and continuous improvement.
Proficiency operating and troubleshooting manufacturing tools or laboratory equipment, diagnosing issues, and implementing corrective actions.
Advanced experience in at least one major process area: powder processing; roll-to-roll coating operations; slurry mixing; or cell assembly.
Significant glovebox and/or controlled-environment experience, such as clean-room or dry-room work.
Proven ability to independently troubleshoot equipment and process issues.
Strong record of consistent, high-quality documentation and adherence to SOPs.
Ability to work for extended periods in gloveboxes, dry rooms, or at equipment stations.
Ability to perform repetitive manual tasks requiring fine motor skills and close attention to detail.
Proficiency with Excel, Word, and basic laboratory software tools.
Interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate and lead within cross-functional teams.
Strong safety awareness and working knowledge of chemical and solvent handling, including SDS interpretation, labeling, waste streams, and PPE.
Ability to collect, analyze, and communicate process or experimental data to support decision-making.
Strong teamwork and organizational skills, including the ability to coordinate across teams.
Ability to follow, evaluate, and improve detailed procedures while maintaining accurate, high-quality records.
Commitment to maintaining a safe and secure work environment, following safety protocols and data privacy and confidentiality requirements, and escalating potential risks appropriately.
Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and working styles, while maintaining professionalism, integrity, and discretion.
Ability to prioritize, execute, and follow through independently with minimal supervision; set goals, meet deadlines, and proactively resolve challenges.
Commitment to quality and continuous improvement, with sound judgment in 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 or ambiguous environments by making effective use of available tools, processes, and partnerships.
Commitment to understanding and exceeding internal and/or external customer needs and building strong, trust-based relationships.
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 lean slightly for long durations and reach and extend arms within the glovebox environment.
Ability to occasionally lift, carry, and maneuver equipment or materials weighing up to 25 pounds.
Authorization to work in the U.S. without sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

A strong background in materials science, chemical engineering, chemistry, or a related field.
Proficiency with advanced analytical instrumentation, including SEM, XRD, TGA, rheology, particle analysis, bulk/tap density, microscopy, or metrology tools.
Experience handling hazardous chemicals and maintaining compliance in chemical laboratory environments.
Foundational chemistry knowledge, including acid/base behavior, pH, chemical compatibility, and risk management.
Experience supporting scale-up from lab operations to pilot-scale manufacturing.
Experience with battery fabrication processes such as mixing, coating, stacking, and glovebox work.
Experience training or mentoring other technicians.

Responsibilities

Lead production of advanced battery components, cell builds, and test-ready assemblies, including electrode processing, slurry mixing, coating, cell assembly, and formation.
Operate, optimize, and troubleshoot glovebox and pilot-scale manufacturing equipment, including roll-to-roll systems, stacking machines, tab welders, and pouch sealers.
Develop, refine, and enforce standard operating procedures to ensure process consistency, quality, and repeatability.
Perform material and cell characterization using analytical tools such as rheometers, viscometers, particle size analyzers, SEM, XRD, thickness measurement tools, and microscopy.
Coordinate material preparation, staging, and movement throughout the lab.
Maintain lab organization, safety, and compliance, proactively identifying and addressing gaps.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to yield, quality, throughput, and equipment reliability.
Interpret data to diagnose process deviations, propose corrective actions, and support development of manufacturing methodologies.
Collaborate with Process Engineers to scale experimental processes into reliable pilot-line operations.
Train and mentor technicians on equipment operation, safety protocols, documentation practices, and battery fabrication steps.
Serve as a subject-matter expert in material handling, slurry formulation, coating processes, or cell assembly, depending on background.
Provide technical feedback and support project planning and cross-functional team milestones.
Communicate across shifts and with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and smooth execution.
Maintain accurate records of material preparation, equipment operation, and process conditions.
Conduct preventative maintenance and calibration of equipment.
Promote and enforce laboratory cleanliness, safety compliance, and hazard awareness, including proper SDS interpretation.
Lead troubleshooting, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions with engineering teams.
Perform other duties as assigned, consistent with the scope and level of the position.