PMTS, Mechanical Design Engineer

QuantumScape; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

QuantumScape is seeking a Mechanical Engineer, Principal Member of Technical Staff, to design and scale solid-state Li-metal batteries for high-volume production. You will develop cell structures, encasings, components and assembly tools while validating new designs.

Lead cross-functional teams, use thermal and mechanical simulations to meet assembly, thermal and pack requirements, and define supplier needs.

Qualifications

• BS+ in mechanical engineering or materials science or related field.
• 10 years experience with a Bachelor's degree, or 8 years with a Master’s.
• Proven experience driving mechanical design from concept to production.
• Experience with CAD packages (SolidWorks, Inventor, CATIA).
• Experience with mechanical and thermal simulation tools (ANSYS, ABAQUS, COMSOL).
• Prior lithium-ion battery knowledge preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and scale-up of solid-state Li-metal battery designs for manufacturing.
• Use thermal and mechanical simulation to shape cell architecture.
• Define requirements with suppliers for components and tooling.
• Develop experiments to validate design performance, reliability, safety.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to execute critical projects.

Skills

Mechanical design

Thermal simulation

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Communication skills

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering

MS or higher in related field

Tools

CAD software (SolidWorks/Inventor/CATIA)

ANSYS

ABAQUS

COMSOL

Job description

QuantumScape is on a mission to transform energy storage with solid-state lithium-metal battery technology. The company’s next-generation batteries are designed to enable greater energy density, faster charging and enhanced safety to support the transition away from legacy energy sources toward a lower carbon future.

What we need:

Join us on our mission as we transform energy storage to enable a more sustainable future. We are looking to add a Mechanical Engineer, Principal Member of Technical Staff (PMTS) to our Cell Engineering and Manufacturing Development team. This individual will be responsible for designing and scaling QuantumScape’s unique solid-state lithium metal batteries for high volume production. This work includes designing new cell structures, encasings, components, and assembly tools in addition to methodologies to validate the fidelity of these new designs. You must have experience working with electrochemical energy storage devices such as lithium-based batteries or similar technology.

What you’ll do:

• Lead in the design, development, and implementation of new solid-state Li-metal battery designs for manufacturing scale-up with cross functional teams
• Utilize thermal and mechanical simulation to drive the detailed mechanical design of cell architecture to meet customer mechanical, thermal, and pack level integration requirements
• Identify, specify, and set requirements with suppliers for cell components, assembly tools and manufacturing solutions for scale-up
• Develop methodologies and experiments to validate key cell design performance, reliability, and safety criteria
• Collaborate with cell build process teams, equipment design teams, safety, quality, metrology, and production teams to execute on critical path projects

What success looks like:

• Embrace new challenges, learn new techniques, and surpass internal goals
• Curious, hands-on approach to problem-solving
• Shares a real passion for our mission and vision of a carbonless future
• Demonstrate flexibility and resourcefulness allowing smooth adaptation to a constantly evolving environment and work priorities
• Possesses a can-do spirit and is a collaborative leader and teammate
• Organized, meticulous, and has clear written and verbal communication skills

Skills you’ll need:

• BS or higher degree in mechanical engineering, material science, or similar concentration
• 10 years experience with a Bachelor’s degree, or minimum of 8 years experience with a Master’s degree
• Proven experience driving mechanical design projects across the product life cycle, concept through production experience is preferred.
• Expertise with at least one major CAD package ex: AutoDesk Inventor, SolidWorks, Catia, etc.
• Expertise with mechanical & thermal simulation packages ex: ANSYS, ABAQUS, Comsol, etc.
• Prior experience or knowledge of lithium-ion batteries is preferred

Physical Requirements:

• Work is performed in a dry room, fume hood, lab area, or glovebox requiring the use of fine motor skills
• Sitting or standing for extended periods of time
• Reaching and twisting motions with hands
• Lifting up to 25 lbs.

Onsite:

This position is required to work onsite 5 days per week to meet the minimum essential duties and requirements of this position. As an on-site R&D and manufacturing operations organization, in-person face to face interaction is essential to building authentic relationships, trust, teamwork, and collaboration.