Senior Staff Engineer, Rheology

Form Energy; Somerville (MA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Form Energy is seeking a scientist to drive slurry and dispersion development behind next‑generation electrodes for our iron‑air technology. You will help design aqueous slurries, characterize rheological properties, and link processing to electrode performance in collaboration with chemists, materials scientists, and battery engineers.

Relocation assistance is available. You will define strategies, build a characterization toolkit, and communicate complex results to cross‑functional teams as

Qualifications

• Bachelor's + 10 years or higher, or Master's +8 years, PhD +4+ years in Physics or Chemical Engineering.
• Deep knowledge of colloidal and interfacial science and interactions.
• Experience developing slurries, dispersions for battery electrodes or similar multiphase systems.

Responsibilities

• Define strategy and criteria for new formulation problems with no established method.
• Design and optimize aqueous slurries balancing rheology and electrode performance.
• Link mixing conditions to microstructure and transport properties of electrodes.
• Diagnose dispersion stability with solvent-mediated interactions.
• Build and operate a comprehensive slurry characterization toolkit.
• Translate raw data into predictive stability and performance models.
• Be SME in colloidal science and represent the function in reviews.

Skills

Colloidal science

Rheology

Slurries formulation

Interfacial science

communication skills

Education

PhD in Physics or Chemical Engineering

Master's in Physics or Chemical Engineering

Bachelor's in Physics or Chemical Engineering

Tools

Rheometer

Vertical scan light-scattering

Analytical centrifugation

Process-property modeling tools

Job description

Are you ready to build America’s energy future? Form Energy is an American manufacturing and energy technology company. We’re revolutionizing energy storage with cost-effective, multi-day technology designed to keep the electric grid secure and reliable, even during extended periods of stress. By strengthening the electric system and reimagining what’s possible, we’re giving clean energy a whole new form!

In recent years, Form Energy has earned a number of accolades, including being named by TIME as a "Best Invention", MIT Technology Review as a "Top Climate Tech Company To Watch", and Fast Company as "One of the Next Big Things In Tech". We are making rapid progress on our mission of delivering energy storage for a better world, and our team is growing just as rapidly to meet demand. We have signed contracts with leading electric utilities across the United States and production of our iron‑air batteries is underway at our first high‑volume manufacturing facility in West Virginia.

Working for Form Energy is more than just a job, it’s a chance to be part of something extraordinary. And now - right as we significantly scale up battery manufacturing - might be the most exciting moment in the company’s history to join. We are assembling a team of highly talented and driven individuals across the country. Driven by our core values of humanity, excellence, and creativity, our team is determined to deliver on our mission and transform the energy landscape for the better.

Feeling energized to make a meaningful impact on the world? Then keep reading - you’ve come to the right place.

Role Description

Form Energy is hiring a scientist to drive the slurry and dispersion development behind next‑generation electrodes for our iron‑air technology. This role reports into the manager of Discharge Cell R&D. As part of our R&D team, you will work on developing aqueous slurry formulations, characterizing key rheological properties, and identifying process‑property relationships in partnership with chemists, materials scientists, and battery engineers. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape and be part of the growth of a fast‑moving company with breakthrough technology and an incredible mission!

Relocation assistance is available.

What you’ll do:

• Define the approach, characterization strategy, and success criteria for new formulation problems where no established method exists, reducing ambiguity and complexity for the broader team

• Design, formulate, and optimize aqueous slurries containing active materials and conductive carbon additives, balancing rheological behavior with downstream processability and electrode performance

• Establish quantitative links between mixing and processing conditions and the resulting particle microstructure, dispersion state, and transport properties of the finished electrode in a battery

• Diagnose and resolve dispersion stability challenges in chemically active or corrosive continuous phases, drawing on first‑principles understanding of solvent‑mediated and particle‑to‑particle interactions

• Build and operate a comprehensive slurry characterization toolkit

• Translate raw data into predictive models of stability and performance

• Serve as the subject matter expert in colloidal and dispersion science for the R&D organization and represent the function in cross‑functional and program‑level design reviews

What you’ll bring:

• Bachelor's + 10 years work experience; Master’s degree + 8 years work experience; PhD with 4+ years work experience with degree in Physics, Chemical Engineering, or related fields

• Deep knowledge of colloidal and interfacial science, including solvent‑mediated and particle‑to‑particle interactions

• Demonstrated experience in developing slurries, dispersions, or particle‑laden formulations for demanding applications, such as battery electrodes (flow or semi‑solid), fuel cell catalyst inks, ceramic or coating slurries, or comparable multiphase systems

• Proficiency in developing and using characterization techniques (e.g. rheometry, vertical scan light‑scattering, analytical centrifugation) to establish process‑property and structure‑property relationships that predict electrode and battery performance

• Experience setting technical direction and mentoring experienced technical staff

• Excellent communication and organizational skills

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Humanity is a cornerstone of Form Energy’s culture, and we make sure our compensation and benefits reflect that. Form Energy offers competitive salaries, stock options, and a holistic benefits package to ensure all employees have what they need to thrive while working here.

When it comes to you and your family’s health, we cover 100% of medical, dental, and vision premiums for full‑time employees - and 80% of healthcare premiums for dependents. This starts from day one. We also offer at least 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents (up to 20 weeks for birthing parents), and generous vacation policies to give employees time to recharge when needed.

To build America’s energy future, we need everyone at the table. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply to our open jobs.

If you may require reasonable accommodations to participate in our interview process, please contact [e-mail]. Requests for accommodations will be treated with discretion.

Form Energy is committed to maintaining the privacy of our applicants. Please be aware that we will never solicit sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers or bank account details during the recruiting or hiring process.