Director, R&D Equipment Engineering

Sila Nanotechnologies; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 211,000 - 277,000; Full time

Job summary

Sila Nanotechnologies in Alameda, CA seeks a transformative leader to head mechanical design, equipment and controls engineering for first‑of‑a‑kind materials processing and battery testing hardware. You’ll turn open‑ended R&D challenges into reliable, scalable systems while guiding a multidisciplinary team.

You’ll blend hands‑on engineering with strategic leadership, mentor engineers, drive design reviews, and partner with R&D Operations to boost performance, reliability and uptime across

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical/Controls Engineering, or related discipline.
• 15+ years post‑BS work experience; startup environment experience.
• Demonstrated excellence at building and leading technical teams.
• Experience with design and fab of complex assemblies and components.
• Programming experience in C, C#, Python, .NET, MATLAB or IEC 61131 PLC automation.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide inspirational leadership for mechanical design, equipment and controls engineers and R&D fabricators and technicians.
• Balance resources in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.
• Attract, hire, onboard, and retain world-class engineers; grow team capabilities.
• Contribute technically to system designs from concept through operation.
• Review design processes, P&ID, HAZID/HAZOPS, verification and test plans.
• Collaborate with R&D Operations to improve performance metrics.

Skills

Team leadership

Collaborative problem solving

Mechanical design fundamentals

CAD software

Lab/industrial automation

Programming (C, C#, Python)

R&D leadership

Education

B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical/Controls Engineering

Tools

CAD software

PLC automation

MATLAB

Job description

About Us

We are Sila, a next-generation battery materials company. Our mission is to power the world’s transition to clean energy. To create this future, our team is building a better lithium-ion battery from the inside out today. We engineer and manufacture ground-breaking battery materials that significantly increase the energy density of batteries, while reducing their size and weight. The result? Smaller more powerful batteries that can unlock innovation in consumer devices and accelerate the mass adoption of electric cars to eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels. We're tackling one of the biggest challenges of our time every day, and together we're redefining what's possible. Are you ready to be a part of a team committed to changing the world?

Who You Are

You’re a technical and strategic leader with a strong foundation of hands‑on experience as an engineer. You’ve worked in open-ended R&D environments, built hardware (and the software that runs it) from the ground up, and learned firsthand what it means to own projects from concept through operational support. You know how to deliver reliable, deterministic tools that inspire confidence in their end-users. You have a diverse background and understanding of equipment and can articulate the ‘why’ of hardware from a foundational understanding of the process it is designed for as well as the ‘how’ through an understanding of mechanics, dynamics, controls and automation, I/O sensors, and cause & effect matrices and responses. You thrive on enabling science through your team: matching the right people with the right technical problems and training/hiring to fill skill gaps. You are a leader that builds trust through giving trust and challenging and growing the skills of the team and are a seasoned listener and communicator, which helps you collaborate seamlessly with a wide range of technical and operational experts: from engineers to technicians to contractors to other managers.

You are capable of delivering multiple projects in parallel, experienced in all phases of design from early concept through validation and handoff. You develop a strong and highly‑engaged team, soliciting input and debate from all levels in the organization, setting clear standards for work quality, and being a transparent decision‑maker.

You’re passionate and knowledgeable about: clean energy, advanced materials, particulates, batteries, or related fields, sciences, and technologies.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Provide inspirational leadership for a team of mechanical design, equipment and controls engineers and R&D fabricators & technicians designing and building first‑of‑a‑kind materials processing and battery testing equipment. Help solve science problems by channeling your team’s (and your own) technical creativity into robust, new‑to‑the‑world hardware, software, and instrumentation.
• Artfully balance competing resources and cross‑functional objectives in a fast‑paced and matrixed environment.
• Attract, hire, onboard, and retain world‑class engineers. Expand the team’s bandwidth, capabilities, and diversity. Coach and grow talent through consistent feedback, navigation of challenges, and celebration of wins. Create opportunities for staff career growth, identify top performers and develop their careers.
• Contribute technically to system designs, from concept through operational support. Sila employs a wide range of technical disciplines, including CVD, bulk materials handling, gas delivery, wet chemical reactors, vacuum systems, and a variety of mechanical assembly and test equipment for cell fabrication and test. As the company takes on new problems, you’ll help incorporate other new technical fields of practice into Sila’s repertoire.
• Review and approve key design process work: mechanical design reviews, P&ID, HAZID/HAZOPS, design verification, factory/site acceptance test plans, and other test plans.
• Work collaboratively with your team to support existing tools; support your team in deep troubleshooting and use issues as opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Work closely with the R&D Operations and R&D Battery Operations teams to consistently improve performance metrics and identify the key levers to drive optimal process reliability, quality and uptime.
• Organize, document, communicate. Create enduring records of your team’s work. Distill design decisions and experimental outcomes into accessible communication tailored to your audience. Collaborate extensively with adjacent technical teams at Sila.
• Bring the right level of operational discipline to an open‑ended R&D setting. Help plan projects accurately and make sure they’re executed according to plan. Creatively find opportunities to move faster and more efficiently.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Demonstrated excellence at building and leading technical teams. Experience managing team members to emphasize their strengths and support their professional development. Ability to fine‑tune your own approach to suit different styles on your team. Proactiveness in anticipating and responding to staffing gaps.
• Demonstrated collaborative problem solving: helping people share knowledge, resources, and strategies in order to solve ever‑harder technical problems. Great communication skills, including the ability to surface problems constructively and get buy‑in for proposed solutions.
• Strong mechanical design fundamentals. Experience in design and fab of complex assemblies, CAD software, and component sourcing. Intuition for the right balance of flexibility vs. robustness in designs.
• Expertise with lab or industrial automation platforms. Programming experience (C, C#, Python, .NET, MATLAB, or IEC 61131 PLC automation preferred), basic familiarity with software engineering best practices, and experience with lab/industrial electronics.
• Experience in R&D/laboratory settings with time pressure, open‑ended technical problems, and substantial managerial autonomy. Ability to prioritize among a wide range of problems, both self‑identified and as identified by others. A well‑practiced ability to bring the right amount of structure to your team’s projects.
• B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical/Controls Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 15 years of work experience (post B.S.) and experience in a startup environment.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Required
  • Wear personal protective equipment including, but not limited to, a lab coat, gloves, safety glasses, and composite toe safety shoes.
  • Move long distances (such as from building to building) and be stationary for extended periods of time.
  • Operate a computer and other office equipment, such as a laptop, copier/printer, etc in a fixed location.
• Occasionally
  • Move items up to 50 lbs with the assistance of lift equipment and carts.
  • Enter spaces narrower than 3 feet.
  • Climb stairs or over containment walls (including portable stairs up to equipment or climb a ladder).
  • Reach low shelves or items on the floor.
• Rarely
  • Pass a respirator fit test and be able to wear respiratory protection on a daily basis.

The starting base pay for this role is between $211,000 and $276,640 at the time of posting. The actual base pay depends on many factors, such as education, experience, and skills. Base pay is only one part of Sila’s competitive Total Rewards package that can include benefits, perks, and equity. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future.

Working at Sila

We believe that building a diverse team at Sila helps us amplify our individual talents. We are an equal opportunity employer and committed to creating an inclusive environment where good ideas are free to come from anyone. We are proud to celebrate diversity and all qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, national origin, or any other status protected by law.