Sr. Process Engineer
About Blue Current
Blue Current (the "Company") is the industry leader in the development of silicon solid state batteries. Free of flammable liquid electrolytes, Blue Current's fully dry, inherently safe batteries significantly reduce risks to human and environmental health while providing a higher-performance alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries. Blue Current's silicon-based platform is highly adaptable, enabling a cost-effective solution for both the mobility and stationary storage markets. Blue Current's team works out of its state-of-the-art headquarters and pilot line facility in Hayward, California. To learn more about Blue Current, Inc., visit http://bluecurrent.com.
Position Summary
Blue Current is seeking a Senior Process Engineer to join the Technical Operations team, supporting solid-state battery R&D and prototyping operations. This role is responsible for improving process performance (yield, throughput, reproducibility) while owning the development, qualification, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of key process equipment.
The Senior Process Engineer will work cross-functionally to translate evolving process requirements into robust, scalable, and well-controlled operations. This is a high-impact role at the intersection of process engineering and equipment engineering in a fast-paced development environment.
Essential Functions & Responsibilities
- Act as the primary engineering owner for assigned battery R&D equipment (e.g., gloveboxes, slurry mixers, film coaters, cell assembly tools, etc.)
- Manage projects and design experiments to improve and optimize technical processes in the fabrication lab to improve yield, throughput, and consistency
- Establish and track key metrics (yield, variability, cycle time) and drive continuous improvement
- Support specification, evaluation, and procurement of new process equipment
- Partner with vendors and internal teams to modify or develop tools to meet evolving process requirements
- Drive improvements in uptime, throughput, and process capability through equipment enhancements
- Lead structured troubleshooting of process and equipment issues, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions
- Collaborate cross-functionally to connect process changes to cell performance outcomes
- Develop and maintain SOPs, work instructions, and process documentation for technicians
- Provide technical training and guidance to technicians on new processes and tools
- Develop and improve systems to manage work orders, inventory, and maintenance to track process and equipment performance
- Communicate effectively with R&D scientists, engineers, and technicians to align on priorities and execution
- Identify opportunities to improve safety, throughput, quality, and reliability of lab operations
Minimum Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or related field
- Experience: 5+ years of experience in process engineering, equipment engineering, or manufacturing engineering in a relevant field (e.g., batteries, semiconductors, coatings, thin films)
- Demonstrated ownership of both process optimization and equipment performance
- Experience with equipment specification, commissioning, and qualification
Skills & Knowledge
- Experience with fabrication processes such as coating, mixing, calendering, or similar
- Experience with DOE, data analysis, and process optimization methodologies
- Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills across process and equipment
- 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 processes and equipment
- Familiarity with statistical tools or programming (e.g., Python, JMP)
- Experience in R&D, pilot line, or early-stage manufacturing environments