Senior Manager, Early-Scaleup - Solid-State Batteries

Blue Current; Hayward (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Current is seeking a seasoned Senior Manager, Early Scaleup to transition R&D solid-state battery processes into robust intermediate-scale manufacturing. You will mature electrode fabrication and cell assembly, define process windows, and establish scalable workflows, working with R&D, Cell Engineering, and Manufacturing to accelerate readiness for full-scale production.

The role requires 8+ years in battery manufacturing, hands-on tool experience, and strong leadership, project management,

Qualifications

• 8+ years in lithium-ion or solid-state battery manufacturing, process engineering, or scale‑up.
• Experience scaling processes from lab to pre-pilot or intermediate scale.
• Hands-on with equipment specification, installation, commissioning, and validation for semi-automated or early-scale tools.
• Ability to establish CTQs, SOPs, control plans, and quality metrics for reliable scaled operations.
• Strong leadership of engineering and technician teams in fast-paced hardware environments.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills including DOE and structured problem-solving.
• Proven project management with cross-functional coordination and on-time delivery.
• Strong communication and documentation for handoff between R&D, Equipment, and Manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Translate new R&D materials, cell designs, and processes into scalable intermediate‑scale manufacturing workflows.
• Develop and optimize scaled-up electrode processes (slurry, drying, calendaring) with defined process windows.
• Scale cell assembly operations (punching, stacking/winding, lamination, formation) for yield and throughput.
• Define scale-up roadmaps with milestones, timelines, and success metrics across teams.
• Own equipment strategy for early-scale processes including vendor selection and validation.
• Establish CTQs, SOPs, and quality controls for smooth pilot-line transfer.
• Lead root-cause analyses using DOE and statistical methods to resolve issues.
• Collaborate with R&D, Cell Engineering, Analytical, and Manufacturing to accelerate iteration.
• Mentor and develop engineering/tech teams; foster safety culture and training.

Skills

Leadership

DOE

Statistics

Project management

Data-driven decisions

Root-cause analysis

Communication

Safety culture

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering or related field

Job description

Blue Current is seeking a seasoned Senior Manager, Early Scaleup to transition R&D solid-state battery processes into robust intermediate-scale manufacturing. You will mature electrode fabrication and cell assembly, define process windows, and establish scalable workflows, working with R&D, Cell Engineering, and Manufacturing to accelerate readiness for full-scale production.

The role requires 8+ years in battery manufacturing, hands-on tool experience, and strong leadership, project management,