Process Engineer I

Nanotech Energy; Chico (CA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Holiday pay

401(k)

Medical

Dental

Job summary

Nanotech Energy in Chico, California is seeking an entry-level Process Engineer I to support manufacturing of cylindrical lithium-ion cells. You will run trials, analyze data, and help document processes under supervision.

The role offers hands-on floor support, development of process specs, and participation in DOE/SPC initiatives, with opportunities to contribute to equipment projects and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical, mechanical, materials, manufacturing, industrial, electrical, or related engineering.
• Zero to two years of process development, manufacturing engineering, equipment engineering, laboratory, or related experience; internships, co-op assignments, academic research, and capstone projects may satisfy the experience.
• Foundational knowledge of DOE, SPC, process capability, PFMEA, control plans, root-cause analysis, measurement systems, and qualification concepts.
• Hands-on aptitude for process equipment, instrumentation, troubleshooting, experimentation, technical documentation, and manufacturing-floor support.
• Battery, chemical, advanced-materials, automated-equipment, PLEX MES, or other regulated-manufacturing experience is preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education, technical training, certification, and directly relevant experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on engineering support for material preparation, slurry mixing, slot-die coating, drying, calendering, slitting, electrode preparation, and vacuum drying.
• Support cylindrical-cell winding, tab welding, assembly, electrolyte filling, sealing, inspection, leak testing, X-ray/CT, formation, grading, and packaging processes.
• Execute assigned trials with defined objectives, variables, controls, measurements, traceability, safety review, and post-run documentation.
• Collect and analyze process data using approved DOE, SPC, capability, measurement-system, and structured problem-solving methods.
• Draft and maintain process specifications, routings, work instructions, check sheets, process flows, PFMEAs, control plans, and training materials.
• Create or revise assigned PLEX MES parts, routings, check sheets, specifications, and attachments for technical review and approval.
• Support equipment requirements, vendor reviews, FAT/SAT, installation, commissioning, debugging, qualification, and operator training.
• Investigate process, equipment, yield, scrap, rework, cycle-time, and documentation issues and implement approved containment and corrective actions.
• Provide timely floor support, stop unsafe or out-of-specification work, and escal…

Skills

Hands-on equipment

DOE knowledge

SPC knowledge

PFMEA knowledge

Root-cause analysis

Measurement systems

Documentation

Manufacturing floor support

Battery experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

PLEX MES

Job description

Department: Engineering
Position: Process Engineer I
Location: Chico, California
Pay Range: $75,000 – $100,000 per year

Supports the development, documentation, qualification, transfer, and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes for advanced cylindrical lithium-ion cells at NERD and NEMO. Reporting to the Lead Process Engineer, this entry-level individual contributor performs assigned trials, analyzes process data, prepares controlled documentation, supports equipment projects, and provides hands-on manufacturing-floor support. The role works within approved technical, operational, and Quality authority and does not independently approve process changes, cell designs, product dispositions, or released PLEX MES records.

Benefits
Full-time employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s 401(k) plan and medical plan, and to receive other benefits in accordance with Company policies. A summary of our current benefits is below.

• Paid Time Off (PTO): PTO accrues from your first day of employment
• Holiday Pay: 10 paid holidays per year, designated by the Company
• 401(k): Participation in the Company’s 401(k) plan
• Medical: The Company pays up to $500 per month toward medical coverage for employees and their dependents.
• Dental: Premiums are paid in full by the employee.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on engineering support for material preparation, slurry mixing, slot-die coating, drying, calendering, slitting, electrode preparation, and vacuum drying.
• Support cylindrical-cell winding, tab welding, assembly, electrolyte filling, sealing, inspection, leak testing, X-ray/CT, formation, grading, and packaging processes.
• Execute assigned trials with defined objectives, variables, controls, measurements, traceability, safety review, and post-run documentation.
• Collect and analyze process data using approved DOE, SPC, capability, measurement-system, and structured problem-solving methods.
• Draft and maintain process specifications, routings, work instructions, check sheets, process flows, PFMEAs, control plans, and training materials.
• Create or revise assigned PLEX MES parts, routings, check sheets, specifications, and attachments for technical review and approval.
• Support equipment requirements, vendor reviews, FAT/SAT, installation, commissioning, debugging, qualification, and operator training.
• Investigate process, equipment, yield, scrap, rework, cycle-time, and documentation issues and implement approved containment and corrective actions.
• Provide timely floor support, stop unsafe or out-of-specification work, and escal…

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical, mechanical, materials, manufacturing, industrial, electrical, or related engineering.
• Zero to two years of process development, manufacturing engineering, equipment engineering, laboratory, or related experience; internships, co-op assignments, academic research, and capstone projects may satisfy the experience expectation.
• Foundational knowledge of DOE, SPC, process capability, PFMEA, control plans, root-cause analysis, measurement systems, and qualification concepts.
• Hands-on aptitude for process equipment, instrumentation, troubleshooting, experimentation, technical documentation, and manufacturing-floor support.
• Battery, chemical, advanced-materials, automated-equipment, PLEX MES, or other regulated-manufacturing experience is preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education, technical training, certification, and directly relevant experience may be considered.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Accommodation
Nanotech Energy is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion or religious creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, reproductive health decision‑making, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Nanotech Energy provides reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, observances, and practices, unless doing so would cause undue hardship. Applicants who need an accommodation during the application or interview process should contact the recruiting team.