Staff Process Engineer

Sila Nanotechnologies, Inc.; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 151,000 - 191,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Total Rewards package

Equity and bonuses

Bonuses

Job summary

A battery materials company is seeking a Process Engineer to commission their manufacturing plant for next-generation battery materials. The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of experience in a production design role, emphasizing process optimization and teamwork across engineering disciplines. This role involves driving production improvements, balancing day-to-day tasks with long-term goals, and extensive interaction with internal teams and vendors. The starting salary ranges from $151,000 to $191,000, alongside competitive benefits and perks.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a production or process design role.
• Experience with process design for new or retrofitted plant units.
• Ability to visualize plant operations in detail.

Responsibilities

• Commission manufacturing plant for battery materials.
• Drive production line improvements and technical deliverables.
• Collaborate with engineering and operations teams.

Skills

Process design for plant units

Risk management

Production optimization

Control schemes knowledge

Ability to visualize manufacturing processes

Education

B.S. or M.S. in Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

PFDs

P&IDs

Job description

Overview

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.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Commission Sila’s manufacturing plant to produce next-generation battery materials
• Act as the Process Engineer for a critical unit or set of units in the manufacturing process
• Collaborate with all engineering disciplines, operations and other required teams for a chemical plant
• Expertly balance day‑to‑day priorities with long‑term deliverables
• Work seamlessly with internal teams and 3rd‑party vendors to drive technical deliverables
• Play a critical role in the long‑term vision and execution of production line improvements
• Drive design and control scheme modifications for a large‑scale first‑of‑a‑kind plant during startup
• Develop HMBs, P&IDs and other FEED deliverables starting at concept for the next‑gen plant
• Drive ideas through R&D, Material Development, and Pilot Test Teams for at‑scale implementation
• Influence others across the organization and drive technical solutions

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• B.S. or M.S. in Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering
• Minimum of 5 years of experience directly owning a high‑volume production line or in a design‑to‑commissioning role as a Production or Process Design Engineer for a plant or comparable manufacturing (specialty materials, food, chemicals, etc.)
• Ability to visualize in great detail and have a first‑principles understanding of an operating plant
• Experience with process design of new plant units or retrofits of existing units
• Knowledge of basic control schemes and familiarity with advanced control strategies
• Experience with daily and long‑term process optimization and production constraints
• Risk management, management of change and HAZOP experience
• Years of experience creating, reading and editing PFDs, P&IDs, and operating procedures
• Ability to determine and solve for key parameters for process scale‑up to commercial volumes
• Track record of relentlessly challenging accepted practices and inefficiencies

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position to operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a laptop, copier/printer machine, etc.
• Climb stairs and walk on uneven ground
• Wear personal protective equipment including, but not limited to, a hard hat, lab coat or coveralls, gloves, safety glasses, and safety shoes
• Pass a respirator fit test and be able to wear respiratory protection on a periodic basis
• Move long distances and occasionally kneel or bend
• Up to 75% travel for work at new production site and 3rd‑party design offices during startup
• Up to 10% travel during non‑startup time periods

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.

The starting base pay for this role is between $151,000 and $191,000 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, equity, and bonuses. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future.