Senior Staff Customer Quality Engineer

Sila; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 156,000 - 197,000; Full time

Job summary

Sila is seeking an experienced Quality Leader to bridge cell engineering and production, ensuring reliable, high-yield manufacturing of next‑gen battery cells. You’ll own QC strategy across development to mass production, drive RCCA investigations, and lead cross‑functional efforts with CM partners in Asia and other regions.

The role emphasizes deep battery manufacturing knowledge, metrology, and proven quality systems experience to scale production with stringent safety and certification

Qualifications

• 12+ years related experience with Bachelor’s degree or 8+ years with Master’s or PhD with 5+ years.
• Hands-on experience in lithium-ion cell manufacturing processes and product qualification.
• Familiarity with battery-specific metrology and measurement techniques.
• Strong command of quality and problem-solving tools (DOE, RCCA/8D, SPC, GR&R/MSA, PFMEA).

Responsibilities

• Manage IQC, IPQC, OQC, and ORT across battery cell production lines.
• Drive quality readiness at CM for EVT/DVT/PVT and mass production ramp; establish inspection protocols.
• Lead RCCA investigations; present findings to internal and CM leadership.
• Collaborate with cell engineering to implement QC, inspection, and metrology stations.
• Define and monitor quality metrics; drive SPC implementation and trend analysis.
• Conduct factory quality reviews covering yield, scrap, defects, and process capability.
• Prepare OK-to-Ship and lot disposition documentation for new products.
• Develop PFMEA for processes; implement control and reaction plans.
• Support DFM reviews; conduct tolerance analysis for stack and assembly fit.
• Develop and execute reliability test plans during NPI and MP with engineering teams.

Skills

DOE

RCCA/8D

SPC

GR&R/MSA

PFMEA

Control plans

Cpk/Ppk

Weibull analysis

HALT/HASS

GD&T

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Master’s degree

PhD with 5+ years experience

Tools

Coating weight metrology

Electrode thickness metrology

Porosity measurement

Electrolyte fill weight measurement

Quality data systems

Job description

We are Sila, a next-generation battery materials company. Our mission is to power the world’s transition to clean energy. To create this future, our team is building a better lithium-ion battery from the inside out today. We engineer and manufacture ground-breaking battery materials that significantly increase the energy density of batteries, while reducing their size and weight. The result? Smaller more powerful batteries that can unlock innovation in consumer devices and accelerate the mass adoption of electric cars to eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels. We’re tackling one of the biggest challenges of our time every day, and together we’re redefining what’s possible. Are you ready to be a part of a team committed to changing the world?

Who You Are

In this highly visible role, you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on next-generation battery products and establish quality systems that scale from development through high-volume production. You will serve as the critical bridge between our internal cell engineering and product teams and the factory floor—enabling the reliable, high-yield manufacture of advanced battery cells.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Manage IQC, IPQC, OQC, and ORT across battery cell production lines
• Drive quality readiness at the Contract Manufacturer (CM) for development builds (EVT/DVT/PVT) and mass production ramp, including establishing inspection and hold/release protocols
• Lead root cause and corrective action (RCCA) investigations for quality escapes; present findings and closure plans to internal and CM leadership as required
• Collaborate with cell engineering and teams to define and implement appropriate quality control, inspection, and metrology stations across the full cell production process (electrode coating and calendering, winding/stacking, electrolyte filling, formation, aging, and final test)
• Define and monitor electrochemical quality metrics, identify process signals and drive SPC implementation
• Conduct periodic factory quality reviews covering yield, scrap, defect Pareto, and process capability trends
• Prepare OK-to-Ship and lot dispositioning documentation for new product launch and ongoing mass production
• Develop and maintain risk assessments (PFMEA) for battery manufacturing processes; implement control plans and reaction plans for identified risk items
• Support DFM reviews with cell design and product teams; conduct tolerance analysis for electrode stack, cell can/pouch dimensions, and assembly fit to ensure process capability against specification
• Develop and execute module and cell reliability test plans (cycle life, calendar aging, thermal abuse, mechanical) during NPI and MP, in coordination with internal engineering teams
• Ensure manufacturing process controls are sufficient to maintain compliance with applicable safety and certification standards (IEC 62133, UN 38.3, UL 1642, GB/T equivalents as applicable) at the production level
• 30–40% international travel to CM sites in Asia required

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Minimum of 12 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 8 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 5 years experience; or equivalent experience.
• Hands‑on experience in lithium‑ion cell manufacturing processes and product qualification
• Familiarity with battery‑specific metrology: coating weight, electrode thickness and density, porosity, tab alignment, and electrolyte fill weight measurement and control
• Strong command of quality and problem‑solving tools: DOE, RCCA/8D, SPC, GR&R/MSA, PFMEA, control plans, and capability analysis (Cpk/Ppk)
• Knowledge of reliability methods relevant to batteries: Weibull analysis, HALT/HASS, accelerated life testing, and electrochemical failure mode characterization
• Familiarity with GD&T, tolerance stack‑up analysis, and metrology best practices in a precision manufacturing context
• Experience managing CM/OEM quality relationships in Asia; ability to navigate cultural and organizational dynamics effectively
• Track record of developing manufacturing process documentation that captures process rationale, critical control points, failure modes and equipment constraints.
• Working knowledge of battery safety standards and certification pathways (IEC, UL, GB/T, KC, PSE)
• Strong cross‑functional communication skills; comfortable presenting technical findings to engineering and executive audiences

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Operate a computer and other office equipment, such as a laptop, copier/printer, etc in a fixed location

The starting base pay for this role is between $156,000 and $197,000 at the time of posting. The actual base pay depends on many factors, such as education, experience, and skills. Base pay is only one part of Sila’s competitive Total Rewards package that can include benefits, perks, equity, and bonuses. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future.

#LI-PL1 #LI-Onsite

Working at Sila

We believe that building a diverse team at Sila helps us amplify our individual talents. We are an equal opportunity employer and committed to creating an inclusive environment where good ideas are free to come from anyone. We are proud to celebrate diversity and all qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, national origin, or any other status protected by law.

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