Senior Member of Technical Staff, R&D Lab Operations

QuantumScape; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 134,000 - 182,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Technical Member of Staff to lead laboratory operations focused on cathode production and R2R technologies. In this pivotal role, you will ensure optimal performance of lab equipment, troubleshoot complex issues, and collaborate with international vendors to maintain operational excellence. Your expertise will drive process improvements and enhance safety protocols within the lab. Join a forward-thinking organization that values teamwork and innovation, and contribute to cutting-edge advancements in renewable energy equipment manufacturing. If you are passionate about engineering and thrive in a collaborative environment, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Annual bonus

RSU/Equity package

Employee paid health care

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)

Qualifications

• 5+ years in technical roles focused on lab operations and equipment management.
• Strong knowledge of LOTO procedures and safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee lab equipment operations, ensuring performance and compliance.
• Troubleshoot equipment failures and collaborate with vendors for solutions.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Project Management

Problem-Solving

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Master’s degree in Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

MS Project

Job description

Senior Member of Technical Staff, R&D Lab Operations

We are looking for a Senior Technical Member of Staff to oversee the day-to-day operations of laboratory equipment and facilities, with a primary focus on equipment used for cathode production, R2R (Roll-to-Roll) technologies, and high-throughput lab-scale equipment. You will play a critical role in troubleshooting equipment issues, proposing recovery plans, collaborating with international vendors, and ensuring the smooth operation of critical lab systems. You will also collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance operations and drive process improvements.

Job Overview:

In this role, you will manage the operations of laboratory equipment, ensuring optimal performance while addressing any technical challenges. You will be responsible for troubleshooting equipment failures, proposing and implementing recovery plans, and collaborating with international vendors from Germany, Japan, and Korea to resolve issues and procure parts. You will also work on the procurement and installation of new equipment, create safety procedures, support process flow optimizations, and coordinate major shutdowns and relocations of lab tools. Furthermore, you will collaborate with industrial layout engineers and assess facility readiness to ensure the optimal placement and positioning of equipment within clean room operations.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Oversee day-to-day operations of laboratory equipment used for cathode production, including R2R (Roll-to-Roll) technologies and high-throughput lab-scale equipment, ensuring continuous operation, high performance, and compliance with safety and quality standards.
2. Troubleshoot complex equipment failures and performance issues, diagnosing root causes, proposing recovery plans, and ensuring rapid resolution to minimize downtime.
3. Collaborate with equipment vendors from Germany, Japan, and Korea to resolve technical challenges, obtain necessary documentation, and ensure that parts, repairs, or upgrades are performed to maintain optimal equipment functionality.
4. Translate process specifications into clear and actionable equipment specifications and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment.
5. Interface with the process, procurement, and equipment teams to bridge knowledge gaps and ensure the seamless procurement, installation, and commissioning of new equipment.
6. Develop and maintain Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures for new and existing equipment to ensure safe operation and regulatory compliance.
7. Work with the maintenance team to develop and improve preventative maintenance plans for lab equipment to minimize downtime and ensure continuous operation.
8. Obtain and manage equipment documentation, including specifications, drawings, and manuals for permits, compliance, and safety requirements.
9. Collaborate with industrial layout engineers to evaluate facility readiness of sites, combining process knowledge and clean room operations expertise to provide input for optimal equipment placement and positioning.
10. Work with project managers to prepare facilities for the installation or relocation of new equipment, ensuring infrastructure readiness for large-scale installations.
11. Provide engineering support for large-scale process flow optimization, including tool relocations and system reconfigurations.
12. Propose, evaluate, and implement solutions to improve the efficiency, reliability, and performance of laboratory operations and equipment.
13. Coordinate and lead equipment shutdowns during site-wide shutdowns to ensure minimal disruption to operations and adherence to maintenance schedules.
14. Support the development and maintenance of safety protocols, including hazard analysis and risk assessments related to laboratory equipment and operations.
15. Lead troubleshooting efforts during equipment malfunctions, working with internal teams and vendors to resolve issues and restore equipment to optimal function quickly.
16. Proactively identify operational inefficiencies or safety concerns in the lab, proposing and implementing solutions to continuously improve operations.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field and 5+ years (or 3+ years and Master’s degree) in a technical role focused on laboratory operations, equipment management, or facility operations, with a strong emphasis on cathode production and R2R technologies.
2. Extensive experience troubleshooting complex equipment failures and developing recovery plans for lab-scale systems, particularly in cathode production and R2R technologies.
3. Proven ability to work with international vendors and equipment manufacturers from Germany, Japan, and Korea to resolve technical issues and obtain equipment documentation and spare parts.
4. Strong knowledge of Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures and safety regulations in a laboratory or industrial environment.
5. Experience in developing and executing preventative maintenance plans for complex laboratory equipment.
6. Familiarity with obtaining and managing equipment documentation, including specifications, drawings, and permit requirements.
7. Experience collaborating with industrial layout engineers and providing input for the facility readiness of sites, with a focus on equipment placement and positioning, particularly in clean room environments.
8. Strong problem-solving skills with a focus on diagnosing root causes and proposing effective solutions to restore equipment functionality.
9. Strong project management skills with the ability to coordinate multiple tasks, teams, and stakeholders.
10. Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with internal teams, vendors, and other stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

1. Experience in cathode production, battery manufacturing, or a related industry using R2R technologies and high-throughput processes.
2. Knowledge of compliance regulations, safety standards (OSHA, etc.), and industry best practices.
3. Experience with equipment procurement, installation, commissioning, and troubleshooting.
4. Familiarity with engineering software and tools (e.g., AutoCAD, MS Project, etc.).
5. Certification in Safety or Quality Management Systems (e.g., ISO, Six Sigma, OSHA) is a plus.
6. Fluency in technical communication with international teams, especially in English, with knowledge of German, Japanese, or Korean being a plus.

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.

Compensation & Benefits: Salary range for this role has a range of $134,800 to $182,000, 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 exciting perks.

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Engineering, Research, and Science
• Industries: Renewable Energy Equipment Manufacturing