Staff Engineer, Manufacturing Equipment Design

Who You Are

You are a hands-on engineer with extensive experience in developing new manufacturing equipment and processes. You will leverage your deep technical expertise in equipment, process, and manufacturing to solve interdisciplinary problems on our pilot manufacturing line. You will lead projects to continuously improve throughput, performance and safety, ensuring that our team can consistently meet the demands for quality and quantity of our battery materials. You will help lead operations for our pilot line, working closely with a committed team of process engineers, equipment engineers, technicians, and scientists. You will architect, design, and commission first-of-a-kind manufacturing systems, translating core process chemistry and pilot processes into commercial-ready manufacturing technologies. You will collaborate closely with scientists, process engineers, and external equipment integrators to develop scalable equipment roadmaps, de-risk unit operations, and establish manufacturing platforms that enable the commercialization of our battery materials.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Provide day-to-day technical support for manufacturing equipment and processes on our pilot manufacturing line. Embrace firefighting, analyzing, and addressing each day's operational challenges enthusiastically and rigorously.
• Continuously improve and sustain the pilot manufacturing line by executing on projects that improve process throughput, equipment reliability, performance, and safety.
• Spearhead the scaling of core synthesis, coating, thermal, and material handling processes from bench/lab scale to pilot and high-volume manufacturing lines.
• Develop equipment concepts, 3D CAD models, detailed drawings (GD&T), sizing calculations, and functional specifications for custom automated equipment.
• Act as the technical lead for contract manufacturing transfers; ensure all critical-to-quality (CTQ) process parameters are systematically mapped to vendor equipment specifications, tooling capabilities, and automation architectures.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Minimum 7 years of work experience in a manufacturing environment (or fewer for candidates with an advanced degree)
• BS in mechanical engineering (preferred) or a similar engineering field.
• Strong equipment design principles with advanced proficiency in 3D CAD modeling, drawing standards (GD&T), tolerance stack-up analysis, and mechanical component sizing (actuators, pumps, gearboxes, vacuum/pressure vessels).
• Demonstrated technical understanding of complex production equipment and processes. Ability to independently troubleshoot, problem solve, analyze data and manage controls charts (SPC). Experience with leveraging statistical software to analyze experimental data, identify trends, and drive data-backed decisions.
• Proven track record of managing turn-key equipment builders and custom automation vendors from initial scope through FAT, SAT, and commissioning.
• Can effectively manage multiple responsibilities, is self-motivated and can work autonomously with minimal guidance; comfortable with ambiguity and proactive about creating workflows and manufacturing process structure.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Pass a respirator fit test and be able to wear respiratory protection on a periodic basis
• 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)

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.
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