What we need: We are looking for a Director of Cell Development to lead our solid-state battery cell development efforts end to end - from early idea generation through maturation into a manufacturable, reliable product. This person will be the thought leader for yield and reliability improvements across our solid-state cells, and will drive cell design and scale-up from single-layer architectures to multi-layer cells and pack-level integration.
This role requires genuine comfort with open-ended, ambiguous problems in a fast-paced environment: the ability to break complex technical challenges into simpler, well-scoped chunks, drive parallel workstreams to resolution, and bring the results back together into a coherent path forward. If you enjoy building high-synergy teams, communicating with clarity at every level up to the executive team, and taking ownership of hard, unsolved problems, we'd like to hear from you.
What You'll do:- Own the technical roadmap for solid-state lithium-metal cell development, from early-stage idea generation and feasibility through maturation and manufacturing readiness
- Act as the thought leader on yield and reliability, setting the technical direction and priorities for improving cell performance, consistency, and failure rates
- Lead cell design and scale-up efforts, including the transition from single-layer to multi-layer cell architectures and downstream pack integration
- Partner closely with Failure Analysis, Metrology, and Quality teams to diagnose root causes of cell-level issues and translate findings into design and process improvements
- Break down complex, open-ended technical problems into structured workstreams, and synthesize results across parallel efforts into a clear, actionable path forward
- Build and lead a high-synergy, cross-functional team, hiring and developing talent to grow the group's capabilities
- Drive cross-functional campaigns spanning R&D, manufacturing engineering, and quality to qualify new processes and improve line performance
- Communicate progress, risks, and recommendations clearly to stakeholders up to and including the executive team, with a bias toward clarity over noise
- Champion a culture of radical candor and shared ownership, eliminating siloed handoffs between development and manufacturing
Skills You'll Need:- Proven track record leading cell or battery development programs from concept through manufacturing scale-up
- Deep technical expertise in lithium-metal, solid-state, or advanced battery cell technologies, including electrochemistry and failure mechanisms
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to decompose ambiguous, open-ended technical problems and re-integrate findings into a coherent strategy
- Experience with cell design and scale-up, including multi-layer cell architectures and pack integration considerations
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to senior leadership
- Prior people-leadership experience, including hiring, developing, and managing technical teams
- Comfort operating in a fast-paced, high-ambiguity environment with shifting priorities
- Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or equivalent, with a solid background in electrochemistry (required)
- 10+ years of relevant industry experience, including significant experience in battery or electrochemical cell development
Nice to have:- Direct experience with solid-state or lithium-metal cell technology specifically
- Familiarity with statistical process control, DOE, or reliability engineering methodologies
- Experience working with metrology and failure analysis techniques (e.g., CT scanning, SEM, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy)
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 $185,700 to $297,200 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.
