Engineer 1, Battery Materials & Cell

Chemistry for Sustainability; Seattle, Northern (WA, KY); On-site; USD 83,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

Paid sick leave

Paid holidays

Paid vacation

Job summary

Emerald Battery Labs in Seattle is seeking a hands-on chemist/engineer to join our lab team focused on sodium‑ion battery materials and cell fabrication.

You will synthesize materials, learn pouch cell builds, set up electrochemical tests, document results, and collaborate with founders and engineers to optimize processes.

This is a full-time, in‑person role requiring safety discipline and a pragmatic, problem‑solving mindset in a fast-paced startup.

Qualifications

• Holds a bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Has 0-2 years of experience; you should have some preparation for this role from coursework, internships, co-ops, undergraduate research, extracurricular projects or early career roles.
• Has hands-on laboratory or shop experience and enjoys physical, detail-oriented work - making things, running equipment, and figuring out why something didn’t work.
• Demonstrates energy and hustle and can keep momentum without being tasked.
• Is a natural problem solver; when something fails or underperforms, your instinct is to dig into the why and move to corrective action.
• Communicates clearly in writing and in person, explaining what you did, what you saw, and what you think it means.

Responsibilities

• Synthesize Emerald Battery Labs' proprietary sodium-ion anode materials, executing and improving processes spanning precursor preparation, thermal treatment, and particle size reduction while maintaining complete process records.
• Learn hands-on cell fabrication from slurry preparation through electrode coating and coin cell assembly, progressing to pouch cell builds as your skills develop.
• Learn coin and pouch cell test engineering: setting up electrochemical test protocols, operating cyclers, monitoring cells on test, and performing first-pass data review.
• Document what you do - synthesis records, build records, and work instructions for new and revised processes - so that what works once works every time.
• Collaborate closely and cross-functionally with founders, senior scientists, and engineers to design, troubleshoot, and optimize materials and lab-scale processes

Skills

Laboratory experience

Hands-on lab work

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Communication skills

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science

Tools

Electrochemical test equipment

Cell cyclers

Job description

Applications will be accepted through end of day August 23. All resumes will be reviewed together after the application window closes.

Full-time, in person

Seattle, Washington, USA

Pay: $83,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

About Emerald Battery Labs

Emerald Battery Labs is a sodium-ion battery company founded by engineers and scientists with more than 30 years of combined experience in energy storage. Utilizing a localized critical mineral free supply chain, we create advanced materials which improve the performance and reduce the cost of sodium-ion batteries.

At Emerald Battery Labs, we value curiosity, service, and winning together. We’re looking for the best people to further our mission to revolutionize sodium-ion batteries and welcome applicants with diverse backgrounds and identities. If you are excited to tackle real-world energy challenges and contribute to technologies that will power a sustainable future, we want to hear from you. As an early hire, you will play a meaningful role in shaping the direction of our technology and company, while at the same time growing your career in the future of energy storage.

In this role, you will:

• Synthesize Emerald Battery Labs' proprietary sodium-ion anode materials, executing and improving processes spanning precursor preparation, thermal treatment, and particle size reduction while maintaining complete process records
• Learn hands‑on cell fabrication from slurry preparation through electrode coating and coin cell assembly, progressing to pouch cell builds as your skills develop
• Learn coin and pouch cell test engineering: setting up electrochemical test protocols, operating cyclers, monitoring cells on test, and performing first‑pass data review
• Document what you do - synthesis records, build records, and work instructions for new and revised processes - so that what works once works every time
• Collaborate closely and cross‑functionally with founders, senior scientists, and engineers to design, troubleshoot, and optimize materials and lab‑scale processes

We’re looking for someone who:

• Holds a bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
• Has 0-2 years of experience; you should have some preparation for this role from course work, internships, co‑ops, undergraduate research, extracurricular projects (e.g., battery, EV, rocketry, or maker teams) or early career roles
• Has hands‑on laboratory or shop experience and enjoys physical, detail‑oriented work - making things, running equipment, and figuring out why something didn’t work
• Brings energy and hustle: you can keep momentum without being tasked and you’d rather run the experiment today than plan it for next week
• Is a natural problem solver; when a something fails or underperforms, your instinct is to dig into the why, and move to corrective action
• Demonstrates commitment and follow‑through: you finish what you start, own your results (good and bad), and persevere when the work gets repetitive or hard
• Is comfortable working in a fast‑paced startup environment with limited resources, where scrappiness and problem‑solving are essential
• Takes laboratory safety seriously and follows chemical handling and PPE practices without shortcuts
• Communicates clearly in writing and in person, explaining what you did, what you saw, and what you think it means

Compensation:

• Salary Range: $83,000 – $90,000 per year (based on experience)
• Equity: Eligible for company stock options
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (we cover 100% of premiums for full‑time employees)
• Life and disability insurance
• Paid sick leave and paid company holidays
• Paid vacation

Work environment requirement:

This is a 100% in‑office and in‑lab role. Remote or hybrid work is not available due to the hands‑on nature of laboratory research, battery fabrication, materials testing, and safety requirements.

This role involves:

• Working in a laboratory environment with chemicals and battery materials
• Standing for extended periods, handling small components, and occasionally lifting up to ~25 lbs

Please note: We are not currently able to accommodate candidates in need of work sponsorship.