Cell Development Lead, Cylindrical Li-Ion

Nanotech Energy; Chico (CA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) Plan

Medical plan

Paid time off (PTO)

Holiday pay

Dental coverage

Job summary

Nanotech Energy in Chico, CA, seeks a Cell Development Manager to lead the engineering team responsible for developing, qualifying, and transferring cylindrical Li-ion cells. You will translate customer needs into specifications, drive prototype builds, and manage documentation and validation in a production-ready package.

The role coordinates with Program Management, Cell Build, Process Engineering, Quality, Formation, and Testing, ensuring robust transfer to manufacturing and design

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, materials science, electrochemistry, chemistry, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field; an advanced degree is preferred.
• Seven or more years of lithium-ion cell development, battery engineering, or closely related experience, including at least three years leading engineers, technical personnel, or complex development programs.
• Direct experience designing, developing, building, qualifying, and transferring cylindrical lithium-ion cells is strongly preferred.
• Experience converting customer requirements into specifications, build plans, validation programs, controlled documentation, and production-ready processes.
• Strong working knowledge of DOE, DFMEA/PFMEA, root-cause and failure analysis, CAPA/8D, process capability, configuration control, qualification, and manufacturing transfer.

Responsibilities

• Translate approved customer, safety, regulatory, and performance requirements into cell specifications, technical targets, build plans, and acceptance criteria.
• Lead cylindrical-cell prototype builds, engineering trials, DOE, NPI, qualification, design verification and validation, and manufacturing transfer.
• Develop and maintain controlled BOMs, drawings, technical instructions, configuration records, change documentation, and PLEX MES technical records.
• Define process requirements and operating windows; support equipment requirements, FAT/SAT, commissioning, debugging, and capability demonstrations.
• Direct technical execution on the manufacturing floor, evaluate deviations and manufacturability risks, and lead post-build engineering reviews.
• Own validation strategies, test matrices, sample requirements, data interpretation, technical reports, and coordination with the Cell Testing Manager.
• Lead root-cause and failure investigations using electrochemical diagnostics, dimensional analysis, teardown, imaging, and other approved methods.
• Deliver complete stage-gate transfer packages, including approved specifications, work instructions, PFMEAs, control plans, training, and qualification evidence.
• Plan work, assign priorities, coach engineers, review technical outputs, and communicate risks, decisions, resources, and progress to leadership and customers.

Skills

DOE Knowledge

PFMEA

Root Cause Analysis

Manufacturing Transfer

Project Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering/chemistry

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

PLEX MES

Job description

Nanotech Energy in Chico, CA, seeks a Cell Development Manager to lead the engineering team responsible for developing, qualifying, and transferring cylindrical Li-ion cells. You will translate customer needs into specifications, drive prototype builds, and manage documentation and validation in a production-ready package.

The role coordinates with Program Management, Cell Build, Process Engineering, Quality, Formation, and Testing, ensuring robust transfer to manufacturing and design