Sr. Director of Cell Development

Socket.dev; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 213,000 - 298,000; Full time

Job summary

QuantumScape is seeking a Sr. Director of Cell Development to lead a team of world-class engineers in designing and delivering next-generation solid-state battery products. You will translate cutting-edge technology into scalable, manufacturable, production-ready solutions.

You will partner with R&D, process development, and manufacturing to mature designs from prototype concepts to robust products, establish engineering standards, and help shape the product roadmap with senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Experience leading large, complex hardware programs in battery/energy storage sectors.
• Expertise in manufacturability, reliability, tolerance, materials selection, and scale-up.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team designing next-generation solid-state battery products; translate tech into scalable, manufacturable, market-ready solutions.
• Partner with R&D, process development, and manufacturing to mature designs from prototypes to production-ready components.
• Establish engineering standards, documentation practices, and design validation processes.

Skills

Leadership

Design for manufacturability

Cross-functional leadership

Advanced engineering degree

Experience with hardware programs

Education

B.S./M.S./PhD in engineering

Job description

QuantumScape is on a mission to transform energy storage with solid-state lithium-metal battery technology. The company’s next-generation batteries are designed to enable greater energy density, faster charging and enhanced safety to support the transition away from legacy energy sources toward a lower carbon future.

About the team

The Cell Development Team is a diverse group of mechanical, materials, and electrochemical engineers who are developing the next generation of solid-state battery products using QuantumScape’s cutting edge technology.

What we need:

The Cell Development Team is seeking a Sr. Director of Cell Development who will lead the effort to develop QuantuamScape’s future energy storage products, building and directing a team of world class engineers who will turn new concepts into reality.

What You’ll do:

• Lead a team tasked with designing the next-generation of solid-state battery products, translating company technology into scalable, manufacturable, and market-ready products
• Partner closely with R&D, process development, and manufacturing organizations to mature designs from prototype concepts into robust, repeatable, production-capable products
• Establish engineering processes, technical standards, and best practices for product design, documentation, configuration control, and design validation
• Build and develop a team that functions at the highest level to perform the core engineering functions and delivers product designs ready for scale
• Work closely with Product Management and senior company leadership to develop the product roadmap and manage the resources to execute that vision.

Skills You’ll Need:

• Strong experience leading complex product development efforts in battery, energy storage, automotive, consumer electronics, or other highly integrated hardware environments
• Strong understanding of design for manufacturability, design for reliability, tolerance management, materials selection, and production scale-up considerations
• Proven ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams across engineering, operations, quality, supply chain, and program management
• B.S., M.S., or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, or related engineering discipline; advanced degree preferred
• 15+ years of product design or product development experience, with significant experience leading teams and complex hardware programs

Nice to have:

• Experience in solid-state batteries, lithium-metal batteries, advanced energy storage systems, or adjacent high-performance electrochemical products
• Experience developing products for automotive or other high-reliability applications with demanding safety and quality requirements
• Familiarity with cell, module, or pack design, including structural, thermal, electrical, and integration considerations
• Experience supporting customer-facing development programs and external technical engagements
• Background in scaling novel technologies from R&D through pilot line and into production

Physical requirements:

• Work may be performed in office, laboratory, dry room, manufacturing, or pilot production environments
• Sitting or standing for extended periods of time
• Reaching, bending, and using hands for computer and light laboratory work
• Occasional use of PPE in laboratory or manufacturing environments
• Lifting up to 25 lbs.

Compensation & Benefits:

Expected salary range for this role is from $212,700 to $297,803, and a final salary will be determined by the candidate's experience, educational background and internal equity. 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 benefits.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request an accommodation.