Process Engineer, Cell Manufacturing

Our Next Energy; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Our Next Energy is seeking a manufacturing specialist with direct experience in battery formation and cell manufacturing to lead process execution, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement on the floor.

You will ensure quality, safety, and documentation while collaborating with engineering on scale-up and new line launches in a high-energy environment.

Qualifications

• Direct experience in battery manufacturing, battery formation, or electrochemical processes.
• Experience in energy storage, EV, automotive, or other high-reliability manufacturing environments.
• Experience supporting new line launches, pilot lines, or manufacturing scale-ups.
• Familiarity with MES or digital production tracking systems.

Responsibilities

• Execute and oversee cell manufacturing processes, including setup, operation, and monitoring of equipment in electrode, assembly and formation.
• Serve as the subject-matter expert for formation process execution and standard work.
• Identify abnormal process behavior and take corrective action to protect product quality and safety.
• Troubleshoot complex process and equipment issues affecting yield, throughput, or safety.
• Diagnose manufacturing-related failures using data trends, equipment feedback, and historical knowledge.
• Escalate issues and partner with engineering to resolve root causes.
• Maintain strict adherence to SOPs, work instructions, and quality requirements.
• Document production, batch, and deviation records.
• Support quality investigations, audits, and corrective actions related to formation.
• Collaborate with manufacturing on process changes, trials, and scale-up activities.
• Provide practical floor-level input into process design, equipment changes, and manufacturability.
• Support implementation and validation of new equipment, tooling, or process changes.
• Train and mentor junior technicians; act as technical reference for supervisors.
• Promote a safety-focused, quality-driven culture on the production floor.
• Champion safety practices related to high-energy systems, electrical equipment, and chemical handling.
• Identify hazards, near misses, and process risks; support mitigation efforts.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety requirements.

Skills

Battery formation

Process troubleshooting

High-reliability manufacturing

Shift readiness

Tools

MES or digital production tracking systems

Job description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Process Execution & Technical Expertise

• Execute and oversee cell manufacturing processes, including setup, operation, and monitoring of equipment in electrode, assembly and formation
• Serve as the subject-matter expert for formation process execution and standard work
• Identify abnormal process behavior and take immediate corrective action to protect product quality and safety

Advanced Troubleshooting

• Troubleshoot complex process and equipment issues affecting yield, throughput, or safety
• Diagnosing manufacturing-related failures using data trends, equipment feedback, and historical knowledge
• Escalate issues appropriately and partner with engineering to resolve root causes

Quality & Documentation

• Ensure strict adherence to SOPs, work instructions, and quality requirements
• Maintain accurate and complete production, batch, and deviation records
• Support quality investigations, audits, and corrective actions related to formation

Process Improvement & Engineering Support

• Collaborate with manufacturing team members on process changes, trials, and scale-up activities
• Provide practical, floor-level input into process design, equipment changes, and manufacturability
• Support implementation and validation of new equipment, tooling, or process changes

Mentorship & Floor Leadership

• Train and mentor junior and mid-level technicians
• Act as a technical reference for supervisors and other manufacturing team members regarding cell manufacturing processes
• Promote a disciplined, safety-focused, and quality-driven culture on the production floor

Safety & Compliance

• Champion safety practices related to high-energy systems, electrical equipment, and chemical handling
• Identify hazards, near misses, and process risks; support mitigation efforts
• Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety requirements

  QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Direct experience in battery manufacturing, battery formation, or electrochemical processes
  • Experience in energy storage, EV, automotive, or other high-reliability manufacturing environments
  • Experience supporting new line launches, pilot lines, or manufacturing scale-ups
  • Familiarity with MES or digital production tracking systems

  PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Experience in energy storage, EV, automotive, or other high-reliability manufacturing environments
  • Experience supporting new line launches, pilot lines, or manufacturing scale-up
  • Consistent attendance, punctuality, and readiness for assigned shifts
  • Effective communication across shifts and teams Demonstrated ownership of process outcomes and equipment condition
  • Trusted to operate independently with minimal supervision