ApplyDescription
Wildcat Discoveries is looking for a highly motivated Process Engineer to join our Scale Up team. The Process Engineer will lead chemical process development projects to scale-up the synthesis of next generation battery materials technologies. The individual should have a balance of technical engineering and project management skills to drive this effort. The ideal candidate has experience scaling up cathode materials.The work environment is demanding, fast-paced, and incredibly exciting. The ideal candidate should be ready to push their limits, as they join a world-class scientific team dedicated to developing and discovering advanced materials for lithium-ion batteries.
At Wildcat, the sky's the limit - with the right attitude, work ethic, and quality of work you can blaze your own trail.
About Us:
Wildcat Discovery Technologies, based in San Diego, California, is a materials R&D company transitioning its focus from battery research and development to cathode material supply. Our commitment lies in the development and manufacturing of cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Requirements
Essential Functions
- Design experiments to provide insight into key chemical process parameters and impact on material properties and performance.
- Be able to straddle small scale synthesis up to full scale manufacturing to insure delivery of a practical and cost-effective production process.
- Apply fundamental engineering principles in polymer, fluid, and solid-state processes to gain insight into process phenomena.
- Collaborate with engineering technicians to execute experimental plans and material production campaigns.
- Develop standard operating procedures (SOP’s) and other written procedures and maintain accurate records of work performed.
- Apply analytical techniques to characterize raw materials, intermediates, and end product to guide process optimization and set product specifications.
- Utilize basic project management skills to communicate timelines, identify roadblocks, and when needed escalate issues to key stakeholders.
- Promote a culture of safety in the lab and office spaces of the company. Respect others in the workplace with a professional attitude; be considerate of others with housekeeping, shared equipment.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required
- Application of fundamental chemical/mechanical engineering principles to industrially relevant problems.
- Knowledge of solids handling chemical process, such as milling, spray drying, filtration, annealing.
- Design of Experiment (DOE) methodologies and statistical analysis.
- Communicate and work effectively and cooperatively with lab technicians, engineers, research associates and scientists.
- Ability to summarize plans, timelines, and conclusions to communicate effectively to all levels within the company, including up to senior executive management.
- Basic knowledge of health and safety practices and precautions applicable to a chemistry laboratory.
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree or higher in a scientific field such as chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemistry, materials science, or equivalent work experience.
- Advanced Degree and/or 5 – 7 years experience in optimizing “product-by-process” methods from the lab (100 grams – 1 kg) to pilot scale (multiple kg’s).
- Collaborated and coordinated internal and external experimental trials to develop an overarching manufacturing strategy.
Preferred Experience
- Applying DOE and statistical analysis to process development
- Working with inorganic materials and solids processing equipment (milling, spray drying, annealing)
- Experience applying basic solids characterization techniques to understand process effects (e.g. particle size analysis, tap density, surface area, etc.)
Employee Benefits:
- Generous vacation accrual with 8-day closure at the end of the year
- Full health insurance coverage with low employee out of pocket premiums
- 401k with company paid match
- Annual bonus
- A company culture that values on positivity, meritocracy, collaboration, openness, and innovation
- Professional growth with exposure to a fast-developing energy storage industry
- Pre-IPO with stock options
- Relocation Assistance
Salary Description100,000 - 160,000/ year
