Senior Scientist

bluecurrent; Hayward (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Current is seeking a Senior Scientist to lead and execute advanced battery materials research in a fast-paced team. This role focuses on polymer materials development to improve solid-state cell performance, reliability, and safety.

You will design experiments, interpret complex data, and collaborate across disciplines to advance core technology. The successful candidate will hold a PhD or equivalent experience, with strong electrochemistry skills, collaboration abilities, and a track

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent advanced degree in a relevant field.
• Proven ability to design and execute electrochemical experiments.
• Strong data analysis and interpretation skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and test polymer materials that enhance cell performance and stability.
• Design and execute high-quality experiments with efficient use of resources.
• Relate polymer properties to cell performance and optimize processing.
• Drive innovation and communicate results to leadership with data-driven insights.

Skills

Battery materials

Electrochemistry

Data analysis

Team mentorship

Characterization techniques

Education

PhD in a relevant field

MS + 3 years experience

BS + 5 years experience

10 years related industry experience

Tools

SEM

XRD

TGA

DSC

EIS

CV

Job description

About Blue Current

Blue Current (the "Company") is the industry leader in the development of silicon solid state batteries. Free of flammable liquid electrolytes, Blue Current's fully dry, inherently safe batteries significantly reduce risks to human and environmental health while providing a higher-performance alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries. Blue Current's silicon-based platform is highly adaptable, enabling a cost-effective solution for both the mobility and stationary storage markets. Blue Current's team works out of its state-of-the-art headquarters and pilot line facility in Hayward, California. To learn more about Blue Current, Inc., visit http://bluecurrent.com.

Position Summary

The Senior Scientist is a key individual contributor who can work within complex team environments, driving mission critical projects that impact annual company milestones. The Senior Scientist has deep knowledge in one or more specific areas of expertise related to battery function, design, processing or materials. This person can attack open-ended problems with vigor, by developing hypotheses from disparate sources across the organization, and by developing and executing plans that leverage resources across the organization.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Develop and test polymer materials that provide benefits to cell performance
• Design and execute high-quality experiments, knowing when to trade accuracy and speed, and balancing competing resources, including those of the company
• Relate polymer chemical and physical properties to component level characteristics and cell performance results; optimize processes to maximize component performance
• Define projects consistent with company goals, track action items, drive progress to successful completion, and report results
• Analyze data from multiple sources, including their own experiments
• Take initiative to identify gaps or overlooked problems and present findings to senior management with clear, data-driven communications and recommendations
• Continuously survey and interpret literature on solid-state battery materials and architectures, integrating key insights into the company's technical strategies
• Drive innovation and IP development by exploring novel materials, cell designs, and processing approaches that advance solid-state cell performance
• Other duties as assigned, consistent with the scope and level of this position

Minimum Qualifications

Education

PhD in relevant field, MS + 3 years relevant experience, BS + 5 years relevant experience, or 10 years related industry experience

Experience

Demonstrated ability to analyze electrochemistry and battery processing problems such as: interfacial impedance and reduction strategies, ceramic and polymer electrolyte processing challenges, and chemical degradation modes of battery layer sub-components.

Demonstrated ability to work within a team

Skills & Knowledge

• Detailed understanding of lithium polymer battery cell architecture and formulation, including detailed knowledge of the functional role of all materials in all components of the cell
• Ability to condense complicated data into clearly presented analysis, conclusions, and recommendations
• Ability to work in a team environment, serving as a mentor to junior employees and a source of truth for senior employees within the team
• Proficiency with analytical and electrochemical characterization techniques, such as SEM, XRD, TGA, DSC, EIS, and CV, and the ability to interpret results to inform design or process decisions.

Certifications / Licenses

N/A

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with polymer electrolytes and electrochemical cell testing and analysis, including some combinations of ion transport measurements, mechanical testing, polymer rheology, cycle life testing, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
• Demonstrated ability to bring new materials from concept to fruition, through some combination of synthesis, materials processing, cell assembly and testing, and engineering analysis
• Experienced data analyst with a demonstrated ability to apply statistics, perform novel analysis, present distilled data from a complicated source dataset, write data analysis scripts, or otherwise interpret complex electrochemistry data

Core Values - Minimum Qualifications

Safety & Security First

For employees, customers, and intellectual property

Demonstrated commitment to maintaining a safe and secure work environment, including adherence to workplace safety protocols, data privacy standards, and confidentiality requirements.

Proven ability to identify and appropriately elevate potential risks to personnel, customers, or sensitive information.

Trust & Respect

Treat everyone with honesty, dignity, and sensitivity. Embrace different perspectives. Be humble.

Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with individuals of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and working styles.

Track record of maintaining profess