Job PurposeThe Process Engineer, Slurry Mixing - Battery Cells is responsible for the development, optimization, industrialization, and scale-up of slurry mixing processes used in lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing. This role supports both anode and cathode slurry preparation and is responsible for ensuring consistent material quality, robust manufacturing performance, and readiness for high-volume production.
The position works closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Maintenance, Automation, EHS, Product Development, suppliers, and technology partners to establish and sustain world-class slurry mixing processes from pilot development through commercial production. The successful candidate combines strong process engineering expertise with a hands-on approach to manufacturing excellence and continuous improvement.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities- Develop, optimize, and industrialize slurry mixing processes for lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing, supporting both anode and cathode formulations.
- Define and control process parameters related to raw material dosing, binder dissolution, dispersion, kneading, degassing, filtration, intermediate storage, and slurry transfer operations.
- Support equipment specification, supplier selection, technical evaluations, RFQ development, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), commissioning, and production startup activities.
- Establish and maintain process windows for critical slurry quality characteristics, including viscosity, density, solids content, temperature, homogeneity, dispersion quality, and rheological behavior.
- Plan, execute, and analyze laboratory, pilot-scale, and production trials to support process development and manufacturing scale-up.
- Implement process control strategies, inline quality monitoring systems, contamination prevention measures, cleaning protocols, magnetic filtration systems, and waste reduction initiatives.
- Develop and maintain process documentation including process flow diagrams, work instructions, validation protocols, technical specifications, control plans, and PFMEA documentation.
- Analyze process performance data, identify root causes of process variation, and implement corrective actions to improve yield, throughput, OEE, and process capability.
- Collaborate closely with electrode manufacturing, coating, quality, production, maintenance, automation, EHS, and external equipment suppliers.
- Support continuous improvement activities focused on quality, efficiency, cost reduction, operational excellence, and manufacturing readiness.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable safety, environmental, quality, cleanliness, and dry-room manufacturing requirements.
- Participate in startup, commissioning, validation, and technology transfer activities supporting Gigafactory deployment and operational readiness.
Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Battery Technology, or a related technical discipline required.
- Three (3) or more years of experience in process engineering, preferably within lithium-ion battery manufacturing, electrode production, slurry mixing, coating, chemical processing, or similar advanced manufacturing industries.
- Experience supporting equipment qualification, process validation, commissioning, startup, and production ramp-up activities preferred.
- Experience working in high-volume manufacturing environments and process scale-up projects preferred.
- Experience with MES, SCADA, process control systems, manufacturing databases, and engineering analysis tools preferred.
- Experience with data collection, reporting, and process monitoring systems preferred.
- Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification is preferred.
- Additional manufacturing, engineering, or quality certifications are beneficial.
