Process Engineering Manager

ABOUT US

We design and produce engineered materials that dramatically increase the energy density of rechargeable Li-ion batteries. We enable smaller, lighter, longer lasting electronic devices and unlock mass adoption of affordable, long-range electric vehicles. Our products work today, are a drop-in solution for existing battery manufacturing processes, and can be manufactured economically at scale.

Sila was founded in 2011 and is based in Alameda, CA. Our founders are two early Tesla Motors battery engineers and a Professor of Materials Science at Georgia Tech. We’re backed by top tier venture capital firms, led by Bessemer Venture Partners, Matrix Partners, Sutter Hill Ventures, and In-Q-Tel.

Our company culture is built on personal growth, mutual trust, inclusiveness, and safety. We are building a world-class materials company, where our team is close, debates are data-driven, and our nerdiest office puppies are named Angstrom, Lumen, and Gadget.

We believe that building a diverse team at Sila helps us amplify our individual talents. We are an equal opportunity employer and committed to creating an inclusive environment where good ideas are free to come from anyone. We are proud to celebrate diversity and all qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, national origin, or any other status protected by law.

WHO YOU ARE

You will lead a team of Engineers that create process improvements and design specifications, the design and creation of chemical reaction equipment, tools, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for the manufacturing of advanced engineered materials that will set the new standard of innovation for the next generation batteries.

You like challenges, you take pride in your work, you are a detailed technical leader that can manage numerous projects simultaneously, while delivering results on-time, to meet or exceed goals and expectations.

You’re passionate and knowledgeable about: clean energy, advanced materials, particulates, batteries, or related fields, sciences, and technologies.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leadership of a team that is responsible for the design and scale-up of chemical reaction equipment, tools, and improved processes.

• Provide clear direction for process design, chemical reaction engineering, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). 

• Artfully balance competing resources and cross-functional objectives in a fast-paced and matrixed environment. 

• Lead techno-economic evaluation of capital and operating expenses for designed equipment. 

• Complete process simplification and value engineering objectives while maximizing yield, quality, and throughput.

• Define and manage trade-offs between in-house development versus acceleration via vendors, tollers, and EPCs.

• Work closely with the Process Development team to establish baseline performance metrics and identify the key levers to drive optimal process reliability, quality and uptime.

• Hire, coach, and support talent through consistent feedback, navigation of challenges, and celebration of wins

QUALIFICATIONS

• BS/MS/PhD in Chemical Engineering, Materials, Mechanical Engineering or related field

• 10+ years of relevant technology experience; 5+ years of demonstrated technical team leadership experience

• Proficient in process design, improvements and simulation, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), techno-economic modeling, and experimental design (DOE).

• Expert level knowledge within particle technology, particulate handling, and safety. 

• Knowledgeable, curious, and humble while being an incisive and clear communicator.  

• Easy rapport, genuine empathy, and durable composure.

• Tech-Savvy: able to move quickly between different physical tools, databases, data processing software and operating systems to effectively generate and share insights

• Collaboratively solves problems and sets others up for success

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Must be able to:

• Remain in a stationary position to operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a laptop, copier/printer machine, etc.

• Pass a respirator fit test and be able to wear respiratory protection.

• Repetitive use of hands - light to forceful handling of material.

• Wear personal protective equipment including, but not limited to, a lab coat, gloves, safety glasses, and steel toe safety shoes.

• Precise and repetitive handling of a range of material quantities.