Senior Process Engineer (R&D)

 Our R&D team is looking for a process engineer to lead the development of our second-generation zinc sponge electrode. The role will span from materials design at the batch scale to manufacturing process development. The location for this role is at Enzinc’s Manufacturing Technology Center in Oakland, California.  You will work with Enzinc’s battery engineers and R&D team to understand the materials requirements and collaborate with the manufacturing team to scale the design. This will be a materials and process-focused role, battery design and testing experience is not required.  However, you will work closely with the battery team to incorporate feedback from battery testing to optimize the anode to meet system level performance requirements. 

Enzinc will consider candidates for either Process Engineer II or Senior Process Engineer III, but senior level is preferred. Job level will be determined based on the years of relevant experience.

As part of the Enzinc team, you’ll help craft creative materials and process solutions that use a unique zinc sponge anode to make a safer, high-performance battery. We’re early enough that you’ll contribute to all aspects of bringing a new battery to market and growing fast enough that you can carve out a career path.

MUST HAVE SKILLS AND EXPIENCE

• 3+ (level II) or 7+ (level III) years of experience in slurry development and casting processes for battery electrodes, with a preference for zinc-based chemistry
• Knowledge of the slurry rheology, casting, drying, and thermal processing and how it translates to film properties
• Experience characterizing mechanical and structural properties of porous materials
• Ability to use data to justify technical decisions and to explain technical issues clearly.
• Strong documentation and interpersonal skills and high attention to detail.
• A proven ability to work independently under high pressure and be comfortable working in a multifaceted environment.
• Strong presentation and communication skills

DESIREABLE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience with electrode fabrication for batteries, preferably alkaline zinc batteries
• Experience with screen printing or roll-to-roll electrode coating processes is desirable
• Experiencing with high temperature (>500°C) annealing and material processes
• Experience leading a technical program and communicating to funding agencies
• Experience presenting to customers, and managing customer expectations
• Familiarity with DOE, FMEA and Taguchi methodologies preferred

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, fabricate, and characterize zinc sponge electrodes based on design input from the battery engineering team
• Optimize existing and develop new processes for mixing, coating, and thermal treatment of zinc-based slurries
• Work with the battery team to test new anode formulations and incorporate feedback into design iterations
• Responsible for managing the schedule and batches for R&D furnaces and coordinating with technicians to execute development runs
• Write, execute, and report on test plans.
• Develop process, write SOPs, and qualify materials for battery testing and customer battery development.
• Transfer processes to the Manufacturing team and define quality specifications for production

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or similar is required.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience in process engineering or materials science for level II
• 7+ years of experience for level III

WHY JOIN ENZINC?

Imagine your impact. At Enzinc, we know batteries are the key to a clean energy future, and we are passionate about stretching the boundaries of what’s possible with batteries for mobility and stationary energy storage.

Our talented team is inspired by creating massive impact, not marginal improvements. The people who work here value teamwork and transparency, drive and diversity, respect and results. We learn from each other, seek to bring out to best in our teammates.

OTHER

Benefits:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• 401k
• Employee Stock Plan

Work involves sitting, walking, and lifting to 35 pounds. Requires close visual acuity, the ability to distinguish color, and the ability to hear in laboratory and office environments

Enzinc is committed to diversity and inclusion. Advancing energy technology requires a workforce as diverse as the populations who'll benefit from a cleaner future. Our culture and values are shaped by engineering best practices: we are curious, open, creative, transparent, respectful and always learning from each other.