Staff Cell Development Engineer - SOFC

Bloom Energy; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 194,000; Full time

Job summary

Bloom Energy is seeking a Staff Cell Development Engineer - SOFC in San Jose, CA, on-site. You will develop new SOFC materials, lead component testing, and leverage electrochemistry and high-temperature materials expertise to drive performance and reliability.

The role emphasizes cross-functional collaboration and rigorous materials evaluation. You will work within the cell development team on architectures, DOE plans, and testing protocols, contributing to cutting-edge energy solutions.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD preferred in a relevant field.
• Experience developing and characterizing SOFC materials.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and with cross-functional teams.
• Analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Experience managing multiple projects and meeting deadlines.
• Resourceful, big-picture thinker with a team mindset.
• Expertise with materials characterization techniques (SEM, EDS, XRD) and electrochemical diagnostics like EIS.

Responsibilities

• Develop new SOFC materials and architectures within the cell development team.
• Lead testing and development of new components.
• Identify promising materials and define functional requirements; establish studies and evaluate performance and degradation.
• Develop materials, architectures, and processes for SOFC electrodes, electrolytes, seals, and coatings.
• Establish testing protocols and analyze data to study performance, lifetime and robustness.
• Coordinate with suppliers and cross-functional teams to meet technical requirements.

Skills

SOFC materials development

Communication skills

Independent working

Analytical skills

Project management

Materials characterization (SEM, EDS,X

Electrochemical diagnostics (EIS)

Education

MS/PhD preferred in Materials Science & Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or Physics

Tools

SEM

EDS

XRD

EIS

Job description

At Bloom Energy, our vision for a world powered by clean, reliable, and affordable energy is more than just a dream—we’re making it reality. For over two decades, we’ve been at the forefront of the global energy transition, pioneering solutions that empower critical industries to thrive in a rapidly digitizing, energy-intensive world. From revolutionizing power for AI-driven data centers to ensuring resilience for hospitals, electric grids, manufacturing facilities, and utilities, our solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and solid oxide electrolyzer (SOEC) technologies are redefining what’s possible by delivering energy abundance for all. With more than 30,000 fuel cell modules deployed worldwide, we are the trusted partner for Fortune 100 companies and innovators alike. Our cutting-edge solutions enable unparalleled “time-to-power” capabilities, reliability, and sustainability, ensuring our customers remain ahead in a world where soaring energy demand and intensifying energy scarcity are rapidly becoming the new norm. At Bloom, we thrive on collaboration, bold thinking, and relentless innovation. We believe that, together, we can create a brighter, more sustainable future while tackling the most pressing challenges of the 21st century.

We are looking for a Staff Cell Development Engineer - SOFC to join our team in one of today’s most exciting technologies. This will be based in San Jose, CA This is a fully on-site, in office role 5 days a week.

Role and Responsibilities

• Work within the cell development team to develop new SOFC (solid oxide fuel cell) materials and architectures.
• Lead the testing and development of new components.
• Draw on extensive expertise in electrochemistry and high temperature materials to identify promising materials, define functional requirements, establish and execute characterization studies on the component and stack level, and evaluate performance and degradation against established metrics.
• Develop new materials, architectures, and processes for solid oxide fuel cell electrodes, electrolytes, seals, coatings, and supports.
• Evaluate new inks, powders, and processing methods.
• Establish new component-level testing, test equipment, and testing protocols as appropriate to study performance, robustness, and degradation mechanisms.
• Prepare and test fuel cell components and stacks.
• Perform rigorous post-mortem analysis of test articles, and apply extensive knowledge of materials characterization techniques to gain insight into cell performance.
• Develop and execute new test protocols to evaluate performance, lifetime, and robustness of cell components.
• Plan and conduct DOEs of fuel cells and stacks, analyze data, and communicate the results to the technical team.
• Work with cross-functional teams to define component specifications.
• Work with raw material and component suppliers to meet technical requirements.
• Apply statistical techniques to analyze production and/or field data to learn about product performance, reliability, and yield.
• Conduct cross-functional FMEA reviews (failure mode and effects analysis) to quantify risks of new technologies and processes, identify risk mitigations, and lead risks to closure.

Skills and Experience

• Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy degree (preferred) in Materials Science & Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or Physics.
• Experience in developing and characterizing SOFC materials.
• Very strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and effectively within cross-functional teams, in a fluid and fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Proven ability to successfully manage multiple projects and meet deliverable deadlines amidst changing requirements, deadlines, and priorities.
• Strong self-starter and team player, with a “can-do” attitude.
• Highly resourceful, and a “big picture” thinker.
• Expertise with materials characterization techniques (SEM, EDS, XRD), and electrochemical diagnostics such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).

About Bloom Energy

At Bloom Energy, we strive toward a 100% renewable future. Our Energy Servers are adaptable to new and innovative fuels while already acting as a cleaner and far more resilient source of power than existing solutions. We see hydrogen as a significant game-changer in the world’s energy usage, and Bloom Energy fuel cells and electrolyzers will be the industry standard for clean, efficient, and reliable energy production. We anticipate being able to work in concert with other renewable energy technologies to create a comprehensive system that will change the way energy in the world is produced, stored, transmitted, and used.

For more information visit: www.bloomenergy.com.

Bloom Energy is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We are committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. All qualified applicants, will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability. Bloom Energy makes reasonable accommodations, consistent with applicable laws, for the known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified applicant or employee with a disability, who can perform the essential job functions, unless undue hardship would result.

Salary Ranges: $134,500.00 - $193,500.00

Bloom Energy's mission is to make clean, reliable energy affordable for everyone in the world.

With roots in NASA’s Mars Program, the company’s founder, chairman, and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. K.R. Sridhar, developed an innovative fuel cell technology that is shifting the energy paradigm and redefining the electric power market.

The Bloom Energy Server is a distributed electric power solution built for the digital age and capable of delivering highly reliable, uninterrupted, 24x7 constant power that is also clean and sustainable.

Bloom’s unique on-site power generation systems are among the most efficient on the planet, providing significantly reduced operating costs and producing dramatically lower greenhouse gas emissions.

By generating power where it is consumed, Bloom Energy offers increased electrical reliability and improved energy security, providing a clear path to energy independence.

Some of the largest companies in the world trust Bloom Energy to provide their businesses with clean, reliable and resilient energy.

Bloom’s customers include many Fortune 100 companies and leaders in manufacturing, data centers, healthcare, retail, higher education, utilities, and other industries.

The company, headquartered in San Jose, California, is growing quickly and looking to add to its dynamic team.

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