Equipment & Lab Operations Support Engineer

Job Title: Equipment and Lab Ops Engineer, Member of Technical Staff (Mid-level)

Report To: Senior Manager of R&D Lab Operations

Location: Onsite

About QS: QuantumScape (NYSE: QS) is on a mission to revolutionize energy storage to enable a sustainable future. The company’s next-generation solid-state lithium-metal battery technology is designed to enable greater energy density, faster charging and enhanced safety to support the transition away from legacy energy sources toward a lower carbon future.

What we need: We are looking for a Technical Member of Staff to oversee the day-to-day operations of laboratory equipment and facilities, with a primary focus on equipment used for battery production, and high-throughput lab-scale equipment. You will play a critical role in troubleshooting equipment issues, proposing recovery plans, collaborating with international vendors, and ensuring the smooth operation of critical lab systems. You will also collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance operations and drive process improvements.

What You’ll do:

• Oversee day-to-day operations of laboratory equipment used for battery production, including web handling technologies and high-throughput lab-scale equipment, ensuring continuous operation, high performance, and compliance with safety and quality standards.

• Interface with the process, procurement, and equipment teams to bridge knowledge gaps and ensure the seamless procurement, installation, and commissioning of new equipment.

• Work with the maintenance team to develop and improve preventative maintenance plans for lab equipment to minimize downtime and ensure continuous operation.

• Obtain and manage equipment documentation, including specifications, drawings, and manuals for permits, compliance, and safety requirements.

• Collaborate with industrial layout engineers to evaluate facility readiness of sites, combining process knowledge and clean room operations expertise to provide input for optimal equipment placement and positioning.

• Work with project managers to prepare facilities for the installation or relocation of new equipment, ensuring infrastructure readiness for large-scale installations.

• Provide engineering support for large-scale process flow optimization, including tool relocations and system reconfigurations.

• Propose, evaluate, and implement solutions to improve the efficiency, reliability, and performance of laboratory operations and equipment.

• Coordinate and lead equipment shutdowns during site-wide shutdowns to ensure minimal disruption to operations and adherence to maintenance schedules.

• Support the development and maintenance of safety protocols, including hazard analysis and risk assessments related to laboratory equipment and operations.

• Lead troubleshooting efforts during equipment malfunctions, working with internal teams and vendors to resolve issues and restore equipment to optimal function quickly.

• Proactively identify operational inefficiencies or safety concerns in the lab, proposing and implementing solutions to continuously improve operations.

• Participate in cross-functional teams to drive process and operational

Skills You’ll Need:

• Experience with equipment procurement, installation, commissioning, and troubleshooting.

• Familiarity with engineering software and tools (e.g., AutoCAD, MS Project, etc.).

• Knowledge of compliance regulations, safety standards (OSHA, etc.), and industry best practices.

Nice to have:

• 1-2 years’ experience with lab buildings and equipment installations in another battery company
• Certification in Safety or Quality Management Systems (e.g., ISO, Six Sigma, OSHA) is a plus.
• Experience in battery production, battery manufacturing, or a related industry using high-throughput processes.
• Fluency in technical communication with international teams, especially in English, with knowledge of German, Japanese, or Korean being a plus.

Physical requirements:

• Work is performed in a dry room, fume hood, lab area, or glovebox requiring the use of fine motor skills
• Sitting or standing for extended periods of time
• Reaching and twisting motions with hands
• Lifting up to 25 lbs.

ONSITE:

This position requires you to work onsite 5 days per week to meet the minimum essential duties and requirements of this position. As an on-site R&D and manufacturing operations organization, in-person face to face interaction is essential to building authentic relationships, trust, teamwork, and collaboration.

Compensation & Benefits:

Expected salary range for this role is from $117,500 to $142,700, and a final salary will be determined by the candidate's experience and educational background. QuantumScape also offers an annual bonus and a generous RSU/Equity package as part of its compensation plan. In addition, we do offer a tremendous benefits plan including employee paid health care, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), and other benefits.