Sr. Director of Cell Development (CA, US, 95131)

QuantumScape; United States; On-site; USD 213,000 - 298,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

RSU/Equity package

Health benefits

ESPP

Job summary

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

The role requires 15+ years in product design/development, leadership across cross-functional groups, and advanced degrees. You will partner with R&D, process development, and manufacturing to mature designs and set standards, roadmaps, and priorities.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of product design or product development experience, with significant experience leading teams and complex hardware programs.
• Strong experience leading complex product development efforts in battery, energy storage, automotive, or related hardware environments.
• BS, MS, or PhD in Mechanical, Chemical, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, or related engineering discipline; advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• 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 with R&D, process development, and manufacturing to mature designs from prototypes to production-ready.
• Establish engineering processes, standards, and best practices for design validation and documentation.
• Build and develop a high-functioning team delivering designs ready for scale.
• Collaborate with Product Management and leadership to develop the product roadmap and resource plans.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional

Design for manufacturability

Design for reliability

Tolerance management

Materials selection

Production scale-up

Team leadership

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Engineering

Advanced degree preferred

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.