Principal Process Development Engineer

QuantumScape; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

QuantumScape is seeking a Process Development Engineer to advance Cobra ceramic separator manufacturing processes. You will design experiments, analyze data, and collaborate with hardware and controls engineers to prototype and deploy new tooling in production.

The role emphasizes hands-on problem solving in a lab environment, with a focus on scale-up, reliability, and improving throughput for next‑generation solid-state battery production.

Qualifications

• PhD in engineering or science with 6+ years of industrial process R&D experience; MS/BS with equivalent experience considered.
• Experience in materials characterization techniques (XRD, SEM, FIB, EDS).
• Hands-on troubleshooting of mechanical systems, preferably processing equipment for battery/semiconductor fields.
• Familiarity with CAD packages like SolidWorks or Inventor.
• Statistics and data analysis with JMP or Python.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments for fabricating ceramic films on prototype heat treatment equipment.
• Analyze materials data, prepare reports, and recommend process and hardware improvements.
• Suggest and evaluate effects of hardware modifications on processing equipment.
• Bring up, debug and transfer processes to new production equipment.
• Identify potential process or hardware failure modes and develop mitigation strategies.

Skills

PhD in engineering or science with 6+?

Materials characterization (XRD, SEM,F

Education

PhD in engineering or science

MS or BS with equivalent industry experience

Tools

SolidWorks

Inventor / AutoCAD

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.

About the team

The Cobra Hardware & Process team develops the heat treatment equipment and process for scale‑up of the Cobra ceramic separator manufacturing process. We custom design most of our tools in‑house to the needs of our unique process and materials system. The team consists of both hardware and process engineers, who work closely together to identify and implement novel solutions for improving throughput, quality and robustness.

What we need:

The Cobra team is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Process Development Engineer to help develop our next‑generation processes and tools. We are looking for a candidate with a strong background in processing or materials, who also has experience working on equipment and can interface seamlessly with mechanical and controls engineers on the team. In this position, your input will be critical in guiding which new design and process approaches are prototyped, get deployed on production tooling, and become part of our long‑term roadmap, making this a pivotal role for shaping the future of our separator manufacturing.

What You’ll do:

• Design and execute experiments for fabricating ceramic films on prototype heat treatment equipment
• Analyze materials characterization data, prepare reports for colleagues, and make recommendations for process and hardware improvements
• Suggest, oversee and evaluate effects of hardware modifications to existing processing equipment
• Bring up, debug and transfer processes to new production equipment
• Identify potential process or hardware failure modes and develop robust mitigation strategies

Skills You’ll Need:

• PhD in engineering or science with 6+ years of experience, preferably in an industrial process R&D setting. MS and BS candidates with equivalent industry experience in process research and development will also be considered.
• Experience in materials characterization techniques (e.g. XRD, SEM, FIB, EDS)
• Experience in hands‑on troubleshooting of mechanical systems, preferably processing equipment for battery, semiconductor, or related fields
• Familiarity with mechanical design, including at least one major CAD package, e.g. SolidWorks, AutoDesk Inventor
• Working knowledge of statistics and proficiency in data analysis software, e.g. JMP, Python, or equivalent
• Capability to drive projects to completion with little oversight

Nice to have:

• Experience in web handling
• Deep familiarity with high temperature processing and equipment, e.g. Rapid Thermal Processing (RTP)
• Experience fabricating or characterizing ceramic materials or thin films, especially solid electrolyte or energy materials
• Experience in process and/or manufacturing scale‑up

Physical requirements:

• Work is performed in a dry room or lab area, 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.