Principal Engineering Technician I, Development

Sila; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 61,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Sila is seeking a hands-on Operations Technician in Alameda, CA to support R&D and pilot-scale manufacturing. You will balance development flexibility with production rigor, acting as the bridge between R&D, Operations, and Maintenance on the pilot floor.

You will run pilot reactors, manage samples and inventory, and help write SOPs while adhering to safety and quality standards. This full-time onsite role offers base pay described in the job posting and a competitive rewards package.

Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or AS/technical degree in an engineering or technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience as an operations technician or related role in hardware/chemical/advanced manufacturing.
• Demonstrated comfort using basic hand tools and training peers on procedures.
• Experience with hazardous materials and compliant safety practices.
• Proficiency with digital data entry and basic office tools.

Responsibilities

• Development Reactor Operation - manage and execute test runs on pilot scale reactors; prep inputs and troubleshoot.
• Sampling, Harvesting & Analytics Routing - track run quality data and route samples for analytics.
• Administration & Inventory Control - label and manage inputs/outputs; maintain inventory.
• Tool Maintenance - collaborate on SOPs and preventive maintenance for reactors and systems.
• Operational Excellence & Training - write SOPs and train operators; drive 5S in development areas.

Skills

Reactor operation

Data entry

Inventory control

SOP development

Safety compliance

Communication

Education

High school diploma or AS/technical degree

Engineering/technical discipline training

Tools

Torque wrenches

Impact drivers

PPE usage

Job description

Alameda, CA

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?

You are a hands‑on Operations Technician who supports Sila’s R&D teams in development & operation of pilot scale tool sets. This role will facilitate rapid technology development and operationalization by balancing the flexibility needed for development and the rigor needed for success in production environments. You will be the bridge between R&D, Operations, & Maintenance on Sila’s manufacturing/pilot floor; running toward challenges with a high standard of safety, an eye for procedural detail, and a continuous‑improvement mindset

Responsibilities and Duties

• Development Reactor Operation - Manage & execute test runs on pilot scale reactors by prepping inputs, loading/unloading reactors, starting & monitoring test runs, and troubleshooting run faults.
• Sampling, Harvesting & Analytics Routing - Manage run quality data, by tracking and collecting pre/post run samples, packaging & storing intermediate products, and routing samples for analytics
• Administration & Inventory Control - Coordinate consistent operation of development reactors by owning data entry/labeling of test runs, accurate labeling of input/out materials, managing inventory (raw materials, consumables, spares, PPE, etc)
• Tool Maintenance - Partner with Maintenance & Development teams to develop SOPs & schedule preventative maintenance for development reactors and supporting systems (powder hoods, dust handling systems, abatement system, etc)
• Operational Excellence & Training - Author and refine SOPs related for development reactors & associated subsystems, train & check off operators, drive 5S organization for development areas.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• High school diploma, GED, or AS/technical degree in an engineering or technical discipline (mechanical, chemical, industrial technology, or equivalent military training).
• 5+ years of experience working as an operations technician, lab technician, chemical process operator, or pilot plant technician in a hardware, semiconductor, battery, chemical, or advanced manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated comfort using basic hand tools, torque wrenches, impact drivers, etc. Ability to train peers on proper use of tools and operating procedures.
• Demonstrated experience working safely with hazardous materials, pyrophoric/flammable specialty gases, or fine powders in compliance with OSHA and site E&HS guidelines.
• Proven track record of following, executing, and improving rigorous SOPs and standard work instructions without taking unauthorized shortcuts.
• Proficiency with digital data entry and inventory systems and basic digital collaboration tools (Google Workspace / MS Office).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting operational status updates to engineering teams and enthusiastic about teaching/cross-training team members. Optimization mindset, open to collecting and giving feedback towards driving system improvements.

Physical Demand and Working Conditions

• Wear personal protective equipment including, but not limited to, a lab coat, gloves, safety glasses, and steel toe safety shoes
• Ability to stand/walk on the pilot plant floor for extended periods, wear full respiratory and protective gear when required, and safely lift/move loads up to 40–50 lbs.
• Reach low shelves or items on the floor
• Precise and repetitive handling of a range of material quantities
• Operate a computer and other office equipment, such as a laptop, copier/printer, etc in a fixed location

Monday - Friday, 9am - 6pm

The starting base pay for this role is between $44/hr and $55/hr 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. This role may also be eligible for overtime.
#LI-RS1 #LI-Onsite

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.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Sila’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.