Staff Engineer, Manufacturing Engineering

Sila Nanotechnologies, Inc.; Moses Lake (WA); On-site; USD 143,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Sila Nanotechnologies, Inc. is seeking a Staff Engineer, Manufacturing Engineering to focus on the reliable operation and optimization of production equipment at our Moses Lake site.

This role emphasizes hands-on troubleshooting and practical design improvements for mechanical systems. Reporting to the Engineering Manager, you will apply specialized knowledge to quickly resolve operational issues, contribute to equipment reliability strategies, and ensure engineering documentation is accurate

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field.
• 8+ years of mechanical engineering experience in manufacturing or chemical processing settings.
• Strong CAD design and drawing review experience.
• Knowledge of codes, standards, and industrial equipment compliance.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on mechanical engineering support to troubleshoot daily production issues on pumps, motors, blowers, furnaces, and handling equipment.
• Create and revise CAD models, fabrication drawings, and fixture designs for immediate operational needs.
• Refine maintenance procedures and lubrication plans with the maintenance team for reliability.
• Perform technical reviews to ensure compliance with codes, standards, and internal specs.
• Interface with external fabrication/repair services for specialized equipment and components.
• Utilize operational data to implement condition-based monitoring and reduce downtime.
• Support feasibility studies and cost-benefit analyses for equipment upgrades.
• Document solutions and provide technical support to operations and maintenance teams.

Skills

Mechanical design

Troubleshooting

Cross-functional

Process safety basics

Inspection & compliance

Independent worker

PSM familiarity

Equipment reliability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAD software

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?

About Us

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

We are seeking an experienced Staff Engineer, Manufacturing Engineering to focus on the reliable operation and optimization of our production equipment. Reporting to the Engineering Manager, your primary focus will be on day-to-day execution, hands-on troubleshooting, and implementing practical design improvements for specific mechanical systems. You will apply your specialized knowledge to quickly resolve operational issues, contribute to equipment reliability strategies, and ensure engineering documentation is accurate and compliant.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Equipment Support & Troubleshooting: Provide direct, hands-on mechanical engineering support to quickly and efficiently troubleshoot and resolve daily production issues related to pumps, blowers, furnaces, and material handling equipment.
• Design & Documentation: Create and revise CAD models, fabrication drawings, and mechanical fixture designs to support immediate operational needs and minor equipment modifications.
• Reliability & Maintenance Support: Work with the Maintenance team to refine equipment health check strategies, maintenance procedures, and lubrication plans for mechanical assets.
• Compliance & Review: Perform detailed technical reviews of mechanical design documents (drawings, specifications) to ensure compliance with applicable codes, standards, and Sila internal specifications.
• Vendor & Contractor Interface: Establish and maintain technical working relationships with external fabrication and repair services for specialized equipment and components.
• Data Application: Utilize Sila's operational data and tools to propose and implement condition-based monitoring procedures that prevent unexpected downtime.
• Project Contribution: Participate in feasibility studies and cost-benefit analyses for small-to-medium equipment upgrades or reliability improvement projects.
• Knowledge Sharing: Clearly document solutions and provide technical support to operations and maintenance teams regarding the function and repair of mechanical systems.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.
• Experience: 8+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, preferably in chemical process industries, manufacturing or equipment engineering environment.
• Technical Proficiency: Demonstrated experience with industrial processes and equipment, such as pumps, motors, blowers, and valves. Familiarity with high-temperature environments (e.g., furnaces) is a plus.
• Software Skills: Proficiency in using CAD software for mechanical design, drafting, and drawing review.
• Compliance Knowledge: Working knowledge of applicable codes, standards, and regulations for mechanical equipment in an industrial setting.
• Core Competencies: Strong analytical, technical troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Collaboration: Proven ability to work independently on assignments and effectively as a member of a cross-functional team.
• PSM Familiarity (Preferred): Familiarity with Mechanical Integrity concepts within a Process Safety Management (PSM) facility.

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 items up to 50 lbs with the assistance of lift equipment and carts.
• Move long distances (such as from building to building) and be stationary for extended periods of time.
• Reach low shelves or items on the floor.
• Enter spaces narrower than 3 feet and climb stairs or over containment walls.
• Precise and repetitive handling of a range of material quantities.
• 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 $143,000 and $175,000 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, and equity. 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.