Senior Staff Quality Engineer, Manufacturing

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

Job summary

Sila Nanotechnologies, Inc. is seeking a visionary Senior Staff Quality Engineer to enhance quality processes and lead quality management initiatives in our manufacturing environment. This role requires a proven background in quality engineering, compliance with quality standards, and a collaborative spirit to engage with cross-functional teams effectively.

The successful candidate will be tasked with performing root cause analyses, overseeing statistical quality controls, and implementing continuous improvement projects. A minimum of 10 years experience in a quality-focused role is required. The position offers a competitive salary of $156,000 to $197,000, subject to experience and education.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of quality engineering experience within a Quality Management System.
• Expertise in statistical process control and data-driven RCA tools.
• Auditing experience with ISO standards.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end stewardship of major quality event investigations.
• Oversee Statistical Process Control and optimize manufacturing yield.
• Lead continuous improvement projects to streamline QC workflows.

Skills

Analytical problem solver

Root Cause Analysis (RCA)

Cross-functional leadership

Statistical Process Control (SPC)

Quality Management System (ISO 9001)

Data analysis and statistical software

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

JMP

Hex

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

You are an analytical problem-solver who thrives in the dynamic environment of a manufacturing floor. You champion the Quality Management System. You love figuring out why problems exist and identifying solutions to prevent them from happening again.

You are a visionary Senior Staff Quality Engineer with expertise in a regulated QMS environment (ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS9100, or GMP). You’re a natural collaborator, who knows how to speak the language of different teams–whether you’re talking tolerances with Equipment Engineers, discussing process capability with Process Engineering, aligning on data with Quality Control, or supporting the fast-paced demands of Operations. You balance a high standard for quality with a practical understanding of manufacturing throughput.

Problem Solving & Investigation Stewardship

• Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Leadership: Serve as an expert Root Cause Analyses (RCA) facilitator and own end-to-end stewardship of major manufacturing quality event investigations.
• R&D & Internal Customer Interface: Serve as the core Quality partner for R&D and NPI teams, managing the feedback loop to smoothly transition new products/process into stable, high-yield manufacturing.

Operational Quality & Data Governance

• SPC and SQC Governance: Oversee Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Statistical Quality Control (SQC) frameworks, leveraging data reviews to proactively optimize manufacturing yield.
• Cross-Functional Operations: Partner with Manufacturing Process Engineering, Equipment Engineering, Quality Control, and Operations teams to lead Material Review Board (MRB) dispositions and align daily production with quality standards.

Manufacturing Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Proactive Floor Governance & Cleanliness: Establish a systematic routine for manufacturing floor walks and process audits to identify risks early.
• Workflow Simplification & Yield Optimization: Lead continuous improvement projects to streamline Sila’s manufacturing and QC systems/workflows, balancing strict compliance with operational throughput to maximize quality yield.

QMS, Compliance & Leadership

• Audit & QMS Leadership: Execute Sila’s internal audit program and lead/support readiness efforts for external quality certification and surveillance audits.

Executive Reporting & Culture

Track and report key quality performance metrics while driving quality culture and QMS awareness training to Manufacturing teams.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Experience: Minimum 10 years of quality engineering experience within an established Quality Management System (ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS9100, or GMP). Deep background in material or chemical manufacturing operations is highly preferred.
• Systems Root Cause Analysis (RCA): Advanced proficiency in data driven RCA tools (8D, 5 Whys, FMEA, statistical process control) to diagnose complex variations that drive effective and lasting Corrective and Preventative Actions (CAPA).
• Standards & Auditing: Demonstrated expertise with ISO 9001 and/or IATF 16949. Auditing experience, including leading internal audits to ensure continuous site readiness.
• Statistical Software Proficiency: Strong working knowledge of advanced data analysis and statistical software, specifically JMP or Hex, to manipulate large datasets, conduct capability studies, and drive data-backed quality decisions.
• Cross-Functional Leadership & Facilitation: Proven skill in leading and structuring critical meetings to ensure efficiency and clear, accountable outcomes. Must be adept at mediating conflicts and building consensus among diverse functional groups.
• Mentorship & Development: Experience in coaching and mentoring junior staff or peers on quality principles and QMS procedures, providing constructive and empathetic feedback to foster professional growth.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Wear personal protective equipment including, but not limited to, a lab coat, gloves, safety glasses, and steel toe safety shoes.
• Move long distances (such as from building to building) and be stationary for extended periods of time.
• 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.

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.