The Battery Cell Process Engineer (Pilot Line / Prototyping) will be supporting the fabrication and prototyping of next-generation battery technology for high-energy applications. The vendor will support senior process and cell design engineers by operating and maintaining lab-scale pilot line equipment, building pouch cells systematically, optimizing cell assembly parameters, and ensuring high manufacturing quality and repeatability across experimental builds.
Services and Deliverables
- Support end-to-end lab-scale pouch cell fabrication, including slurry mixing, welding, pouch sealing, electrolyte filling, and formation.
- Operate, calibrate, and maintain pilot line equipment, tooling, dry rooms, and glove boxes to maintain baseline process capability.
- Execute Design of Experiments (DOEs) for process optimization, identifying critical process parameters (CPPs) to improve cell yield, uniformity, and energy density.
- Perform in-line quality inspections (e.g., thickness uniformity, loading density, alignment checks, seal integrity) and log fabrication metrics into tracking databases.
- misalignment, poor wetting) and work with senior engineers to implement corrective actions.
- Document Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), assembly traveler logs, and safety protocols for new chemistries and form factors.
Minimum Qualifications (Reference only)
- Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
- 1+ years of practical experience operating lab-scale pilot line equipment for pouch cell fabrication.
- Hands‑on laboratory or cleanroom/dry room experience handling battery materials, chemicals, and mechanical assembly tools.
- Direct experience or coursework involving lithium-ion cell manufacturing processes (e.g., slurry preparation, slot-die/doctor-blade coating, calendering, stacking, electrolyte filling, etc.).
- Strong documentation skills, attention to detail in handling delicate pouch cell components, and adherence to lab safety/hazardous materials handling protocols.
Preferred Qualifications (Reference only)
- Working knowledge of pouch cell fabrication equipment, including tab welding, and electrolyte filling/sealing equipment.
- Familiarity with statistical process control (SPC), yield analysis, and basic data analysis tools (e.g., Python, MATLAB, JMP, Excel).
- Understanding of how upstream process variations impact downstream cell quality and electrochemical performance.