Principal Process Engineer – Cell Manufacturing Development

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 Principal 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 Principal Process Engineer – Casting & Converting, 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 Principal Process Engineer reports to the Team Lead, Cell Manufacturing.

Qualifications

Responsibilities:

• Develop novel manufacturing processes that contribute to the establishment of 24M’s high volume production system, specifically for the electrode casting & converting process area.
• 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 and implementation.
• Integrate process control parameters into manufacturing.
• Contribute to the development of new theories and methods.
• Transfer knowledge to others within the Cell Manufacturing Team.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree and 8+ years, or Master’s degree and 5-8 years of experience specific to manufacturing process development and improvement.
• Knowledge of coating technologies and thickness, coatweight and/or vision inspection systems.
• Knowledge of various laminating technologies, including heat sealing, adhesive sealing, vacuum lamination etc.
• Experience with web handling, roll-to-roll processes, intermittent motion processes , precision part assembly, automation.
• Experience with in-line continuous vision system inspection systems.
• 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.
• Excellent communication skills for interaction with team members, other groups and outside suppliers.
• 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.
• Ability to lead projects from inception through completion.
• Coachable; able to act on management inputs and constructive criticism.

Desired Skills and Experience:

• Lithium ion battery industry experience.
• Broad experience which also includes other processes such as slitting, die cutting, laser cutting, extrusion flow, etc.
• Experience in taking novel processes from lab scale, to pilot scale, and to high volume manufacturing.

Education:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Process Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering or related field.

Additional