Pilot Line Manager

Blue Current; Hayward (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Current, based in Hayward, CA, is seeking a Pilot Line Manager to lead the day-to-day manufacturing of battery materials and small/large format cells. You will manage a team of manufacturing technicians, plan prototype production, and coordinate with Manufacturing and R&D to drive high energy density and safe processes.

The role emphasizes hands-on leadership, precise documentation, strict safety, and the ability to adapt to evolving core technologies.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in a fast-paced lab or manufacturing environment
• Experience handling hazardous materials and waste in a lab
• Strong documentation and SOP discipline
• Ability to work in a dry room and glove box
• Ability to stand for long periods and perform repetitive tasks
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
• Clear written and verbal communication

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing technician team for day-to-day activities to manufacture battery cells
• Plan and schedule manufacturing prototype components, cells and samples
• Produce battery components (powders, electrode, assembly)
• Create plan and schedule for prototype battery components and samples for customers
• Manage raw material, components inventory and purchasing plan
• Characterize cell materials using SEM, XRD, TGA, EIS and CV
• Identify improvements in process and machines with process engineering team
• Maintain safety and 5S in lab spaces and manage hazardous waste
• Perform preventive maintenance and calibrations on equipment
• Complete material documentation accurately with detailed records

Skills

Team management

Attention to detail

Documentation

Hazardous materials

Dry room

Manual dexterity

Communication

Lab safety

Powder process

Roll-to-roll

Slurry mixing

Battery assembly

Glovebox/dry room

Chemical manufacturing

Education

BS in Chemical/Mechanical Eng

Tools

SEM

XRD

TGA

FTIR

DSC

Job description

About Blue Current

Blue Current is the industry leader in the development of silicon solid state batteries. Free of flammable liquid electrolytes, Blue Current’s fully dry, inherently safe batteries significantly reduce risks to human and environmental health while providing a higher-performance alternative to traditional lithium ion batteries. Blue Current’s silicon-based platform is highly adaptable, enabling a cost-effective solution for both the mobility and stationary storage markets. Blue Current’s team works out of its state-of-the-art headquarters and pilot line facility in Hayward, CA. To learn more about Blue Current, Inc., visit https://bluecurrent.com/.

Description

As a Pilot Line Manager, you will be focused on producing battery materials and building cells that deliver high energy density, safety, and manufacturability. The Manufacturing Tech Manager needs to manage pilot line technicians, plan and organize cell manufacturing based on the requirement. You will be spending your day leading and creating a supply of materials and/or building cells and then characterizing all to support Manufacturing and R&D team. A background in chemical engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or any related field is preferred. This position will offer hands-on, fast paced work on a growing team that has a shared passion to change the energy storage landscape.

Responsibilities

• Manage manufacturing technician team for day-to-day activities to manufacture small and large format battery cells with manual and pilot line from raw material handling to battery formation and cell quality check
• Supporting prototype cell manufacturing, sample cell production and Process engineers’ development work
• Produce various battery components (powders, electrode, assembly)
• Create plan and schedule for manufacturing prototype battery components, cell and sample cells for customers
• Manage raw material, components inventory and create purchasing plan
• Characterize cell materials using with various analytical techniques (e.g. SEM, XRD, TGA, EIS and*CV)
• Provide feedback and discuss characterization results to understand the impact of materialproperties on cell performance
• Identify areas of improvement in process and machines, work with process engineering team to improve process capability
• Establish and maintain safety work environment and manage hazardous waste and parts cleaning areas working with EH&S manager
• Implement 5S environment, maintain the organization and cleanliness of the laboratory spaces
• Perform frequent preventative maintenance and calibrations on equipment to maintain best operating conditions and functionality working with facility team
• Complete material documentation accurately and timely with detail
• Quickly adapt to constantly evolving processes of core technology while maintaining detailed notes and updated data sheets that reflect changes

Requirements

• Previous team management experience (5+ years or more)
• Experience working in an environment that requires strong attention to detail and precision
• Consistent and thorough documentation, and standard operating procedures
• Experience handling hazardous materials and waste management for lab space
• Ability to work in a dry room and a glove box for extended periods of time
• Ability to stand or sit for long periods of time and perform hand intensive repetitive tasks
• Above-average fine manual dexterity and visual acuity
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills and experience working with team members to overcome technical challenges
• Clear written and verbal skills to logically communicate ideas and thought processes
• Appreciation for and adherence to lab and work safety policies
• Previous powder process and machine (Powder mixing, synthesis process, sieving, classification)
• And/or Previous roll to roll process and machine (slot die, gravure, comma coating, calendering, slitting) experience
• And/or Previous slurry mixing experience (Handling powder, solvent, handling various types of mixers)
• And/or battery cell assembly (Stamping, stacking, JR winding, ultrasonic welding, pouch sealing)
• Previous glovebox/dry room experience
• Previous chemical manufacturing experience

Preferred

• BA/BS in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or similar field lab science
• Familiarity with analytical tools such as SEM, XRD, TGA, FTIR, DSC, and TGA
• 5+ years of work experience in a fast-paced lab or manufacturing environment requiring high accuracy execution of processes or experiments
• Experience of working in a chemical laboratory and handling hazardous materials
• Basic knowledge about chemistry (understanding of difference between acid/base, meaning of pH, and awareness of those risks)

Job Type

Full-time

Schedule

Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate

Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work

Blue Current is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and embraces diversity. We believe that our team is strengthened through hiring and retaining employees with diverse backgrounds, skill sets, ideas, and perspectives. We make hiring decisions based on merit and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex or gender (including pregnancy) gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, age, marital, veteran, disability status or any other protected category in accordance with applicable law.