Process Engineer – (Powder/Slurry Partner)

Company Description

24M Technologies answers the world’s need for affordable energy storage by enabling a new, more cost-effective solution — SemiSolidTM lithium-ion technology. Our breakthrough manufacturing platform provides for low-cost, high energy density, safe and long-life storage for electric mobility, grid and other applications. Through strategic partnerships with industry leaders, including the Volkswagen Group, Kyocera, GPSC and FREYR, 24M has built an ecosystem to rapidly scale the SemiSolidTM platform and develop a better, cleaner energy future. Founded in 2010 and led by some of the battery industry’s foremost inventors, scientists and entrepreneurs, 24M is headquartered in Cambridge, Mass. and backed by top industrial partners and venture capital firms. For more information, please visit www.24-m.com.

Job Description

The Senior Process Engineer will be a key member of the high performing team focused on developing the next generation high volume manufacturing processes that will connect 24M’s revolutionary product to the high growth energy storage market.  The team member will define process needs for critical production steps and collaborate with internal and external machine design experts to identify, screen, and develop process concepts that meet these specs.  The successful candidate will bring an understanding of and interest in the fundamentals combined with a lightweight approach to taking ideas the whole way through to successful production equipment.  The Process Engineer – Powder/Slurry, must have past success in developing novel processes for volume mass production.  Strong interpersonal skills are required, as are a strong work ethic and an ability to flourish in a dynamic startup environment.  The Senior Process Engineer reports to the Manager – Advanced Manufacturing.

Qualifications

Responsibilities:

• Develop novel manufacturing processes that contribute to the establishment of 24M’s high volume production system.
• Characterize and develop deep understanding of critical material performance in the processes through experimentation and analysis.  Leverage this insight in process development.
• Perform equipment and process capability studies and make improvements based on those data driven results.
• Design and run simple feasibility studies to find direction on novel processes.
• Work closely with equipment design engineers and outside partners to successfully complete proof of concept tests.
• Integrate process control parameters into manufacturing.
• Work closely with vendors and manufacturing partners to improve product quality.

Required Skills and Experience:

• At least 1-3 years of experience in a wide range of manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of surface chemistry and material science principles.
• Experience with powder handling and powder conveying technologies (Pneumatic, vacuum, mechanical)
• Experience with dry coating or powder milling.
• Experience with experimental design of experiments (DOE) and statistical process control (SPC).
• Knowledge of various mixing, feeding, and pumping technologies
• Strong experience and desire to work hands-on with lab and pilot equipment. Mechanically savvy.
• Knowledge of slurry rheology and slurry quality control parameters for mass production.
• Demonstrated ability and passion to understand processes and the interaction between the material, equipment, and the associated impact to product performance.
• Demonstrated ability to design, optimize and qualify processes with data driven decisions.
• Ability to create methods to generate data where none exist and to turn art into science by getting the numbers.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment.  Ability to commit to aggressive timelines and to deliver on those commitments.
• Excellent communication skills for interaction with team members, other groups, external vendors, and partners.
• Works well in a team environment with willingness to share skills and information and mentor others.
• Highly motivated and action oriented as demonstrated by accomplishments.
• Coachable; able to act on management inputs and constructive criticism.
• Ability to independently lead projects and technical teams to drive concrete and timely results with minimal need for supervision.
• Ability to generate reports and technical presentations.

Desired Skills and Experience:

• Lithium-ion battery industry experience.
• Broad experience which also includes other processes such as mixing, blending, extrusion, etc.
• Working understanding of machine design principle and engineering drawing reviews.
• Experience with continuous processing and measurement systems
• Experi