Head of R&D Equipment, Hardware & Automation

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

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