Senior Equipment Engineer

Position Summary

Blue Current is seeking a Senior Equipment Engineer to join the Technical Operations team, supporting solid-state battery R&D and prototyping operations. This role is responsible for the reliable operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of key R&D lab equipment, ensuring tools are available, well-documented, and capable of supporting evolving process requirements. The Senior Equipment Engineer will work cross-functionally with process engineers, technicians, and researchers to quickly resolve equipment issues and implement practical design improvements. This is a high-impact, hands-on role at the intersection of mechanical engineering and lab operations in a fast-paced development environment.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Act as the primary engineering owner for assigned battery R&D equipment (e.g., gloveboxes, pumps, slurry mixers, film coaters, hydraulic presses, cell assembly tools, etc.)
• Provide direct, hands-on mechanical engineering support to troubleshoot and resolve equipment issues quickly and minimize lab downtime
• Lead the development of preventive maintenance plans and strategies to ensure equipment performance and longevity
• Partner with vendors and internal teams to modify or develop tools to meet evolving process requirements
• Establish and maintain working relationships with external vendors for troubleshooting and repair of specialized equipment and components
• Support specification, evaluation, and procurement of new R&D process equipment
• Develop and maintain SOPs, work instructions, and equipment documentation for technicians
• Provide technical training and guidance to technicians on equipment operation, care, and troubleshooting
• Manage work orders, spare parts inventory, and maintenance tracking for equipment performance
• Communicate effectively with R&D scientists, engineers, and technicians to align on priorities and execution
• Identify opportunities to improve safety, uptime, and reliability of lab equipment and operations
• Other duties as assigned, consistent with the scope and level of this position

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, equipment engineering, or manufacturing engineering in a relevant field (e.g., batteries, semiconductors, coatings, thin films)
• Demonstrated ownership of equipment reliability, maintenance, and troubleshooting
• Experience with industrial or lab process equipment such as gloveboxes, mixers, pumps, motors, and vacuum systems

Skills & Knowledge

• Experience with fabrication equipment such as coating, mixing, calendering, or similar
• Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills
• Ability to define equipment requirements and translate process needs into technical specifications
• Strong collaboration and communication skills across engineering and operations teams
• Familiarity with safety practices, including chemical handling and engineering controls

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with battery fabrication equipment
• Experience in R&D, pilot line, or early-stage manufacturing environments

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