Senior Cell Development Engineer

QuantumScape Battery, Inc.; San Jose, Northern (CA, KY); On-site; USD 113,000 - 163,000; Full time

Job summary

QuantumScape Battery, Inc. is seeking a Senior Cell Development Engineer to scope and lead end-to-end development efforts impacting cell performance and reliability.

You will lead projects to devise innovative cell designs, specify and optimize assembly processes, and integrate new materials into solid-state batteries. You will collaborate with automation, metrology, FA and manufacturing teams, owning projects and driving them to completion.

Qualifications

• BS or higher in engineering, materials science, physics, or related field.
• Master’s degree with 3+ years experience or Bachelor’s with 5+ years.
• Experience leading end-to-end R&D projects in cell design and manufacturing.
• Experience with electrochemistry and battery test methods.
• Python data analysis and DoE/statistics proficiency.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead integration and validation of new components and materials on next-generation cell platforms.
• Develop methodologies and experiments to validate key cell design performance, reliability, and safety criteria.
• Design rigorous DOEs; apply statistical and analytical methods to evaluate approaches and compare effectiveness.
• Model reliability performance (e.g., Weibull, Kaplan–Meier) and connect mechanisms to actionable design/process changes.
• Define CTQ metrics, acceptance criteria, and validation plans.
• Collaborate with cell build process teams, equipment design teams, safety, quality, metrology, and production teams to execute on critical path projects.

Skills

Electrochemistry

Python

DoE

Statistics

Project leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, materials science, physics, or related field

Master's degree in related field preferred

Job description

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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:

We’re looking for a Senior Cell Development Engineer to scope and lead end‑to‑end development efforts that directly impact cell performance and reliability. You’ll lead projects to devise innovative cell designs, specify and optimize assembly processes, and integrate new materials/components into our anode‑less solid‑state batteries. You’ll partner across automation, metrology, FA and manufacturing, owning projects and driving them to completion.

What You’ll do:

• Lead integration and validation of new components and materials on next ‑ generation cell platforms.
• Develop methodologies and experiments to validate key cell design performance, reliability, and safety criteria.
• Design rigorous DOEs; apply statistical and analytical methods to evaluate approaches and compare effectiveness.
• Model reliability performance (e.g., Weibull, Kaplan–Meier) and connect mechanisms to actionable design/process changes.
• Define critical ‑ to ‑ quality (CTQ) metrics, acceptance criteria, and validation plans.
• Collaborate with cell build process teams, equipment design teams, safety, quality, metrology, and production teams to execute on critical path projects.

Skills You’ll Need:

• BS or higher degree in engineering, materials science, physics, or a related field.
• Minimum of Master’s degree with 3+ years of relevant experience; OR Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Proven track record of leading projects to successful completion.
• Prior experience in or knowledge of electrochemistry/electrochemical systems and battery test methods.
• R&D process ‑ development experience (cell assembly, metrology, process specs, scale ‑ up).
• Prior experience with Python for data analysis/visualization; solid statistics (DoE, regression, confidence intervals).
• Excellent technical communication and cross ‑ functional collaboration.

Nice to have:

• Reliability analysis experience (Weibull, survival analysis, life test planning).

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.

Expected salary range for this role is from $112,500 to $163,200, and a final salary will be determined by the candidate’s experience and educational background.

QuantumScape also offers an annual bonus and a generous RSU/Equity package as part of its compensation plan.

In addition, we do offer a tremendous benefits plan including employee paid health care, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), and other benefits.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request an accommodation.