Position Summary

The Manager, Cell Assembly Scaleup leads the development, optimization, and scale-up of cell assembly processes that are critical to Blue Current's solid-state battery technology. This role is responsible for building and leading a team of engineers while establishing the processes, equipment strategies, quality standards, and manufacturing systems required to consistently produce high-performance cells. Working cross-functionally with cell engineering, electrode process, mechanical engineering, quality, and operations teams, the Manager drives execution of process development and manufacturing readiness initiatives that support the transition from R&D to pilot-scale and future commercial production. Success in this role requires combining strong technical leadership with effective people management to advance cell assembly capabilities, mitigate scale-up risks, and build the organizational foundation for long-term manufacturing growth.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Lead the development, optimization, and scale-up of cell assembly processes, ensuring consistent production of high-quality solid-state battery cells that meet performance, reliability, and manufacturing objectives.
• Manage and develop a team of cell assembly engineers by providing technical leadership, coaching, performance management, mentorship, and career development.
• Define and execute the cell assembly technology roadmap, establishing process strategies, equipment requirements, and manufacturing readiness plans to support pilot-scale and future commercial production.
• Drive the identification, evaluation, and implementation of process, tooling, and equipment improvements that enhance yield, throughput, quality, process capability, and operational efficiency.
• Establish and maintain process specifications, operating procedures, quality standards, and process control methodologies to ensure robust and repeatable manufacturing operations.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with cell engineering, electrode process engineering, mechanical engineering, quality, and operations teams to support process development, technology transfer, root-cause investigations, and commercialization activities.
• Communicate project status, technical risks, resource requirements, and strategic recommendations to leadership while building organizational capability through engineering best practices, documentation standards, and technical training programs.
• Fosters a culture of safety, accountability, technical excellence, continuous improvement, and collaboration across the engineering team.
• Supports a strong safety culture by following and improving laboratory safety practices, demonstrating exemplary experimental techniques, and helping implement best-practice updates
• Other duties as assigned, consistent with the scope and level of this position.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Ph.D. or M.S. in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Electrochemistry, or a related field

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in process engineering, manufacturing engineering, process development, or scale-up within batteries, advanced materials, chemicals, semiconductors, or a related manufacturing industry.
• Experience with cell assembly processes, manufacturing equipment development, process qualification, and technology transfer.
• Proven track record of driving process improvements that enhance yield, quality, throughput, and manufacturing efficiency.

Skills & Knowledge

• Strong understanding of battery cell assembly processes, manufacturing scale-up, process qualification, and technology transfer, with experience developing robust and repeatable manufacturing operations.
• Demonstrated expertise in process development and optimization methodologies, including Design of Experiments (DOE), statistical analysis, process control, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of manufacturing equipment, automation systems, tooling development, quality systems, process validation, risk assessment, and manufacturing documentation practices.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting technical recommendations to senior leadership.

Certifications / Licenses

• N/A

Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience leading engineers, technical teams, or cross-functional projects.
• Demonstrated experience scaling manufacturing processes from laboratory or pilot environments to larger-scale production.
• Familiarity with quality systems, process qualification, risk assessment, and manufacturing documentation practices.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

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

• Able to pass a respirator fit test and wear a respirator periodically.
• Regularly works in an active manufacturing and laboratory environment; standing and walking for a significant portion of the workday (approximately 4-6 hours per day)
• Frequent interaction with process equipment, requiring manual dexterity and the ability to make detailed visual inspections of materials and coated electrodes
• Occasional lifting of items up to 30 lbs (e.g., material containers, equipment components)
• Prolonged periods of screen-based work for data analysis, documentation, and communication
• Regular use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including safety glasses, gloves, and lab coat; additional PPE may be required depending on materials handled
• Travel is estimated at less than 10% of working time. Overseas travel is possible in the event of FAT program execution or in the event of vendor or supplier visits.

Salary Range

$125,100-$167,000 USD