Manager, Electrode Scaleup

About the role

The Manager, Electrode Scaleup leads the development, optimization, and scale-up of electrode manufacturing processes at Blue Current, driving the transition from R&D to pilot-scale production and eventually, toward high-volume manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Establish team objectives, priorities, and resource allocation plans to support Blue Current's electrode process development and manufacturing scale-up goals.
• Lead the development, optimization, and scale-up of electrode manufacturing processes, ensuring alignment with product requirements, manufacturing readiness targets, and company milestones.
• Manage a team of electrode process engineers through technical leadership, coaching, performance management, mentorship, and career development.
• Define and maintain process specifications, critical process parameters, qualification requirements, and process control strategies to ensure robust, repeatable manufacturing operations.
• Partner with the Quality team to establish and continuously improve quality systems, process monitoring methods, and manufacturing acceptance criteria.
• Identify and implement process and equipment improvements that enhance yield, throughput, quality, manufacturability, and overall process capability.
• Develop and execute the electrode process scale-up strategy, identifying technical risks, capability gaps, infrastructure needs, and capital investments required to transition from R&D to pilot and commercial manufacturing.
• Drive cross-functional execution across R&D, cell engineering, manufacturing, quality, and operations teams to support process development, technology transfer, and commercialization activities.
• Review technical data, project progress, and engineering recommendations, ensuring decisions are data-driven and aligned with engineering and business objectives.
• Communicate project status, technical risks, resource needs, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
• Build organizational capability by establishing engineering best practices, documentation standards, and technical training programs that support operational excellence and manufacturing growth.
• Foster 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.

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: Developing and qualifying manufacturing processes, equipment, and process controls in a production setting.
• Track Record: Proven track record of driving process improvements that enhance yield, quality, throughput, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Skills & Knowledge: Demonstrated expertise in process development and optimization methodologies, including Design of Experiments (DOE), statistical analysis, process control, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement.
• Hands-on Experience: Ability to analyze complex technical data and make sound engineering decisions based on data and business objectives.
• Project Management: Strong project management and cross-functional leadership skills, with the ability to drive execution across technical and operational teams.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting technical recommendations to senior leadership.
• Proficiency: Proficiency with standard data analysis tools sufficient to process, visualize, and communicate process and quality data.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience: Leading engineers, technical teams, or cross-functional projects.
• Experience: Scaling manufacturing processes from laboratory or pilot environments to larger-scale production.
• Familiarity: Familiarity with quality systems, process qualification, risk assessment, and manufacturing documentation practices.

Core Values

• Safety & Security First
• Treat Everyone with Honesty, Dignity, and Sensitivity
• Take Responsibility and Action
• Delight Customers

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, vendor communication, and executive reporting.
• Regular use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including safety glasses, gloves, and lab coat; additional PPE may be required depending on materials handled.
• Exposure to industrial solvents, electrode materials, and other chemical substances; adherence to all applicable safety protocols and handling procedures is required.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

Blue Current is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

At-Will Employment & Disclaimer

Employment at Blue Current is at-will. This means that either the employee or Blue Current may terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason or no reason, with or without cause, and with or without advance notice, subject to applicable law. This job description does not create an express or implied contract of employment, nor does it alter the at-will nature of the employment relationship. The duties, responsibilities, and qualifications described herein are subject to change at the Company's discretion and do not represent all tasks that may be required of this role. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for sponsorship now or in the future.