Principal Automation Systems Engineer

Description: QuantumScape is on a mission to transform energy storage with solid-state lithium-metal battery technology. The company’s next-generation batteries are 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.

About the team: The Hardware, Automation & Metrology team provides custom automation and metrology solutions for the assembly of QuantumScape’s solid-state lithium metal batteries. We develop these tools either completely in-house or by working together with partners and system integrators. We also provide the required software systems to collect and analyze data on our production process.

What we need: We are looking to add an Automation Systems Engineer, Principal Member of Technical Staff (PMTS) to our Hardware, Automation and Metrology Engineering team. This individual will be responsible for conceptualizing, developing, and validating manufacturing equipment and process technology to enable scale manufacturing of our solid-state lithium-metal batteries. Experience working with electrochemical energy storage devices such as lithium-based batteries, fuel cells, or similar technologies is highly desired. The following are success factors for this position:

• Embrace new challenges, learn new techniques, and surpass internal goals
• Curious, hands-on approach to problem-solving
• Shares a real passion for our mission and vision of a carbonless future
• Demonstrate flexibility and resourcefulness allowing smooth adaptation to a constantly evolving environment and work priorities
• Possesses a can-do spirit and is a collaborative leader and teammate
• Organized, meticulous, and has clear written and verbal communication skills

What You’ll do:

• Lead pilot-scale and auto-scale cell assembly automation programs
• Serve as subject matter expert in equipment design and development of high-speed manufacturing systems
• Develop a strong partnership with product design & R&D teams to drive DFM/DFA, process control & simplicity considerations to enable high volume & cost
• Drive PFMEA and OEE considerations as far upstream in product development as possible
• Responsible for managing external machine integrators from RFP, RFQ through FAT/SAT and subsequent handoff to manufacturing teams
• Generate machine system specifications, interfaces, and concept designs
• Manage technical risks and drive design validation throughout the project lifecycle.

Skills You’ll Need:

• BS or higher degree in mechanical, controls, or electrical engineering
• Minimum 10 years of experience working in manufacturing engineering, preferably designing automation systems using Allen Bradley PLCs, Fanuc Robots, and Ignition HMIs.
• Prior experience designing for high precision in cleanroom and dryroom environments
• Proven experience in manufacturing scale-up and ability to transfer complex technologies from research to commercialization
• Exposure to a wide variety of automation systems, high speed manufacturing machinery, industrial sensors, vision and metrology systems
• Proven track of record of successfully managing projects to meet deadlines amidst changing requirements and priorities
• Strong written, verbal, and organizational skills

Nice to have:

• Knowledge or experience of lithium-ion, solid-state battery, or fuel cell manufacturing is highly desired
• Prior experience managing teams and working in cross functional groups

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 is required 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.