Position Summary

Blue Current is seeking a Lab Operations Supervisor to join the Technical Operations team, supporting solid-state battery R&D and prototyping operations. This role supervises a team of technicians responsible for executing battery cell fabrication processes, including slurry mixing, coating, calendering, pouch sealing, and testing. This role owns the day-to-day operational leadership of the R&D battery lab: staffing and scheduling technicians against experiment and project priorities, ensuring safe and consistent execution of SOPs, and acting as the primary link between the technician team and R&D engineers/scientists. This is a hands-on leadership role in a fast-paced development environment - the Lab Operations Supervisor is expected to be on the floor, troubleshooting alongside the team, not managing purely from a desk.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Supervise, mentor, and develop a team of lab technicians through regular one-on-ones, daily standup meetings, performance management, and skills development planning
• Review and approve timesheets, PTO requests, and other administrative tasks for direct reports
• Build and maintain daily and weekly schedules that align technician availability and equipment capacity with experiment priorities and project deadlines
• Drive cross-training initiatives to broaden technician skill sets and strengthen team resiliency
• Ensure the technician team executes work orders accurately, safely, on schedule, and in compliance with SOPs and documentation protocols
• Provide hands-on process coverage during technician absences or workload constraints to maintain operational continuity
• Manage day-to-day laboratory inventory of chemicals, raw materials, consumables, tooling, and other supplies required for R&D activities
• Coordinate the identification, escalation, and resolution of equipment, materials, process, and scheduling issues
• Serve as the primary point of contact between the technician team and R&D engineers/scientists on daily priorities, experiment status, and process changes
• Uphold and enforce lab safety standards; proactively identify and close gaps
• Partner with EHS, Facilities, Maintenance, and Quality on equipment upkeep, laboratory safety, quality systems, and compliance requirements
• Lead 5S initiatives and maintain organized, clean, and efficient laboratory workspaces
• Other duties as assigned, consistent with the scope and level of this position

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Associate's degree in a technical field, or equivalent hands-on training/experience

Experience

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in a technical, laboratory, or precision manufacturing environment (e.g., batteries, semiconductors, medical devices, aerospace, automotive)
• 1+ years of experience supervising, leading, or mentoring technicians or lab staff
• Demonstrated ownership of processes or equipment, including troubleshooting and continuous improvement

Skills & Knowledge

• Strong working knowledge of chemical and solvent handling practices, including SDS interpretation, labeling, waste streams, and PPE; ability to uphold safety standards
• Strong understanding of lab safety practices and SOP-driven operations
• Experience with scheduling, prioritizing, and reassigning work across a team in a fast-changing environment
• Strong communication, teamwork, and organizational skills, with the ability to coordinate across teams

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with battery fabrication processes and equipment
• Familiarity with work order or inventory tracking systems
• Experience supporting or driving continuous improvement initiatives (yield, throughput, cycle time)
• Prior experience in a startup or fast-scaling R&D environment
• Familiarity with 5S or other lean lab/manufacturing organization practices

Core Values - Minimum Qualifications

Safety & Security First

For employees, customers, and intellectual property

• Demonstrated commitment to maintaining a safe and secure work environment, including adherence to workplace safety protocols, data privacy standards, and confidentiality requirements.
• Proven ability to identify and appropriately escalate potential risks to personnel, customers, or sensitive information.

Trust & Respect

Treat everyone with honesty, dignity, and sensitivity. Embrace different perspectives. Be humble.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with individuals of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and working styles.
• Track record of maintaining professionalism, integrity, and discretion in all workplace interactions.

Ownership & Accountability

Take responsibility and action. Set goals and deliver. Don't wait for others.

• Demonstrated ability to independently prioritize, execute, and follow through on responsibilities with minimal supervision.
• Proven track record of setting measurable goals, meeting deadlines, and taking initiative to resolve challenges proactively.

Technical Excellence

Always strive for the best solution possible.

• Demonstrated commitment to quality and continuous improvement in delivering work product, solutions, and outcomes within area of expertise.
• Ability to evaluate options critically and apply sound judgment to identify the most effective and scalable solution.

Learn & Be Curious

Think outside the box. Always learning.

• Demonstrated ability to quickly acquire new skills, tools, or domain knowledge in response to evolving business needs.
• Proven track record of applying creative or unconventional thinking to solve problems.

Be Resourceful

Be hungry, frugal, and flexible. Use what you have. Find a way.

• Demonstrated ability to deliver results in resource-constrained environments by maximizing existing tools, processes, and partnerships.
• Proven ability to adapt and find effective solutions in ambiguous or rapidly changing situations.

Delight Customers

Build stronger relationships with internal and external customers.

• Demonstrated commitment to understanding and exceeding the needs of internal and/or external customers.
• Track record of building and maintaining strong, trust-based relationships that drive positive outcomes for all stakeholders.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Ability to perform precise manual tasks while standing at a glovebox for extended periods (up to 8 hours per day)
• Must possess the fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination required to manipulate tools and materials through integrated gloves/sleeves.
• Ability to maintain a standing or slightly leaned position for long durations, including reaching and extending arms within the glovebox environment.
• Ability to lift, carry, and maneuver equipment or materials weighing up to 25 lbs occasionally
• Work is performed in a standard R&D laboratory environment
• Core hours are adaptable, though increased availability may be required during peak periods.

Salary Range

$111,600-$160,000 USD