Staff Engineer, Mechanical Design

Quantumscape; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 137,000 - 209,000; Full time

Job summary

QuantumScape is seeking a Staff Engineer, Mechanical Design to join the Cell Engineering and Manufacturing Development team. You will design and scale solid-state lithium-metal battery cell structures, encasings, components, and assembly tools for high-volume production.

You’ll lead design with cross-functional teams, apply thermal and mechanical simulations, and validate performance, reliability, and safety.

Qualifications

• 10 years experience with a Bachelor's degree, or minimum of 8 years experience with a Master's degree
• Proven experience driving mechanical design projects across the product life cycle, concept through production
• Expertise with CAD tools ex: AutoDesk Inventor, SolidWorks, Catia
• Expertise with mechanical & thermal simulation packages ex: ANSYS, ABAQUS, Comsol
• Prior experience or knowledge of lithium‑ion batteries is preferred

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and implementation of new solid-state Li‑metal battery designs for manufacturing scale‑up with cross functional teams
• Utilize thermal and mechanical simulation to drive the detailed mechanical design of cell architecture to meet customer mechanical, thermal, and pack level integration requirements
• Identify, specify, and set requirements with suppliers for cell components, assembly tools and manufacturing solutions for scale‑up
• Develop methodologies and experiments to validate key cell design performance, reliability, and safety criteria
• Collaborate with cell build process teams, equipment design teams, safety, quality, metrology, and production teams to execute on critical path projects

Skills

Mechanical design

Cross-functional collaboration

Project leadership

Thermal simulation

Education

BS or higher in Mechanical Engineering

MS in Mechanical Engineering (preferred)

Tools

AutoDesk Inventor

SolidWorks

Catia

ANSYS

ABAQUS

Comsol

Job description

Title: Staff Engineer, Mechanical Design

Date: Oct 17, 2026

Location: CA, US, 95131

Work Location Type: On-site

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.

What we need: Join us on our mission as we transform energy storage to enable a more sustainable future. We are looking to add a Staff Engineer, Mechanical Design to our Cell Engineering and Manufacturing Development team. This individual will be responsible for designing and scaling QuantumScape’s unique solid-state lithium metal batteries for high volume production. This work includes designing new cell structures, encasings, components, and assembly tools in addition to methodologies to validate the fidelity of these new designs. You must have experience working with electrochemical energy storage devices such as lithium-based batteries or similar technology.

What you’ll do:

• Lead in the design, development, and implementation of new solid-state Li‑metal battery designs for manufacturing scale‑up with cross functional teams
• Utilize thermal and mechanical simulation to drive the detailed mechanical design of cell architecture to meet customer mechanical, thermal, and pack level integration requirements
• Identify, specify, and set requirements with suppliers for cell components, assembly tools and manufacturing solutions for scale‑up
• Develop methodologies and experiments to validate key cell design performance, reliability, and safety criteria
• Collaborate with cell build process teams, equipment design teams, safety, quality, metrology, and production teams to execute on critical path projects

What success looks like:

• Embrace new challenges, learn new techniques, and surpass internal goals
• Curious, hands‑on approach to problem‑solving
• Shares a real passion for our mission and vision of a carbonless future
• Demonstrate flexibility and resourcefulness allowing smooth adaptation to a constantly evolving environment and work priorities
• Possesses a can‑do spirit and is a collaborative leader and teammate
• Organized, meticulous, and has clear written and verbal communication skills

Skills you’ll need:

• BS or higher degree in mechanical engineering, material science, or similar concentration
• 10 years experience with a Bachelor’s degree, or minimum of 8 years experience with a Master’s degree
• Proven experience driving mechanical design projects across the product life cycle, concept through production experience is preferred.
• Expertise with at least one major CAD package ex: AutoDesk Inventor, SolidWorks, Catia, etc.
• Expertise with mechanical & thermal simulation packages ex: ANSYS, ABAQUS, Comsol, etc.
• Prior experience or knowledge of lithium‑ion batteries is preferred

Physical Requirements:

• Work is performed in a dry room, fume hood, lab area, or glovebox requiring the use of fine motor skills
• Sitting or standing for extended periods of time
• Reaching and twisting motions with hands
• Lifting up to 25 lbs.

Onsite: This position is required to work onsite 5 days per week to meet the minimum essential duties and requirements of this position. As an on‑site R&D and manufacturing operations organization, in‑person face to face interaction is essential to building authentic relationships, trust, teamwork, and collaboration.

Compensation & Benefits: Expected salary range for this role is from $136,700 to $208,500 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.