Cell Development Manager

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

Department: Cell Development
Position: Cell Development Manager
Location: Chico, California
Pay Range: $150,000 – $195,000 per year

Leads the development, qualification, and manufacturing transfer of advanced cylindrical lithium-ion cells at Nanotech Energy’s NERD and NEMO facilities. The role converts approved customer and application needs into controlled cell specifications, prototype plans, design verification and validation programs, qualified processes, and production-ready technical packages. This manager leads the Cell Development engineering team and works closely with Program Management, Cell Build, Process Engineering, Quality, Formation, and Testing. Material selection, cell design, and formulation decisions remain with the designated technical authorities.

Benefits

Full-time employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s 401(k) plan and medical plan, and to receive other benefits in accordance with Company policies. A summary of our current benefits is below.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): PTO accrues from your first day of employment
• Holiday Pay: 10 paid holidays per year, designated by the Company
• 401(k): Participation in the Company’s 401(k) plan
• Medical: The Company pays up to $500 per month toward medical coverage for employees and their dependents.
• Dental: Premiums are paid in full by the employee.

Roles and 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.

Required 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.
• An equivalent combination of education, specialized technical training, and directly relevant experience may be considered.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Accommodation Nanotech Energy is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion or religious creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, reproductive health decision-making, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Nanotech Energy provides reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, observances, and practices, unless doing so would cause undue hardship. Applicants who need an accommodation during the application or interview process should contact the recruiting team.

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