Slurry Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary

Blue Current is seeking a highly experienced and hands-on Staff Engineer, Anode R&D to lead the development and optimization of solid-state anodes. This role is pivotal in bridging slurry formulations to cell-level performance through mastery of rheology, mixing sequences, and material selection. The successful candidate will design and execute sophisticated experiments to evaluate the impact of novel materials, including active/inactive materials and solid-polymer electrolytes. By leveraging advanced electrochemical characterizations and analytical tools, the candidate will correlate anode microstructure with long-term cycling stability and degradation mechanisms. The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in solid electrolytes and silicon/graphite anode chemistry. This role requires a strategic mindset to drive intellectual property and manage collaborations with external vendors and national laboratories.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Lead development of electrode formulations for solid-state composite anodes to improve energy density, cycling stability, and rate capability.
• Optimize mixing sequences and drying kinetics to control electrode microstructure, minimize defects, and enhance dispersion.
• Develop advanced diagnostic protocols and post-mortem workflows to characterize particle interfaces and complex electrode-electrolyte reactions.
• Validate performance impact by assembling and testing coin and pouch cells (half/full) across varied rate and temperature profiles. 
• Lead systematic FMEA and RCA efforts to identify and mitigate failure modes specifically related to the anodes and polymer electrolytes.
• Establish robust SOPs for material evaluation and slurry process to ensure reproducibility and data integrity.
• Serve as the technical interface with external material vendors, characterization facilities, collaborators, and academic or national lab partners.
• Lead projects by developing clear, actionable plans with defined milestones and success metrics, managing effective timelines, and ensuring high-quality, on-schedule execution.
• Continuously survey and interpret literature on solid-state battery materials and architectures, integrating key insights into the company's technical strategies.
• Drive innovation and IP development by exploring novel materials, cell designs, and processing approaches that advance solid-state cell performance.
• Support a strong safety culture by following and improving laboratory safety practices, demonstrating exemplary experimental techniques, and helping implement best-practice updates.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• PhD (with 3+ years of industry experience), MS (with 6+ years of experience), or BS (with 8+ years of experience) in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or a related field, with a focus on batteries or electrochemical devices

Experience

• Hands-on experience in lithium-ion or solid-state battery development, with direct involvement in slurry development or process optimization.
• Demonstrated experience developing and optimizing anode slurry and composite electrodes in an industry or applied research environment
• Hands-on experience assembling cells and executing electrochemical testing to evaluate material and cell performance
• Experience working cross-functionally with materials, cell engineering, and leadership teams to advance programs

Skills & Knowledge

• Deep knowledge of solid electrolytes, including ion transport dynamics and chemical/mechanical stability requirements
• Extensive expertise in anode active materials, specifically focusing on the electrochemical behavior of graphite and silicon anodes
• Extensive expertise in full-cell and half-cell testing and interpretation of electrochemical data (e.g., EIS, CV, GITT, dQ/dV analysis)
• Familiarity with analytical and characterization tools such as SEM, XRD, TGA, FTIR, DSC, and related techniques
• Demonstrated project leadership skills, including the ability to lead cross-functional investigations and deliver high-quality results in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills, with the ability to translate technical findings into strategic engineering steps for senior leadership
• Commitment to safety, with experience in following and improving laboratory and pilot-line best practices

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with solid-state battery systems, particularly composite anodes with sulfide-based or polymer-based solid electrolytes
• Direct experience with slurry formulation, rheology, and electrode processing for composite materials
• Direct experience identifying failure modes and driving root-cause analysis, particularly with silicon and graphite anodes

Core Values - Minimum Qualifications

Safety & Security First

For employees, customers, and intellectual property

• Demonstrated commitment to maintaining a safe and secure work environment, including adherence to workplace safety protocols, data privacy standards, and confidentiality requirements.
• Proven ability to identify and appropriately escalate potential risks to personnel, customers, or sensitive information.

Trust & Respect

Treat everyone with honesty, dignity, and sensitivity. Embrace different perspectives. Be humble.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with individuals of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and working styles.
• Track record of maintaining professionalism, integrity, and discretion in all workplace interactions.

Ownership & Accountability

Take responsibility and action. Set goals and deliver. Don't wait for others.

• Demonstrated ability to independently prioritize, execute, and follow through on responsibilities with minimal supervision.
• Proven track record of setting measurable goals, meeting deadlines, and taking initiative to resolve challenges proactively.

Technical Excellence

Always strive for the best solution possible.

• Demonstrated commitment to quality and continuous improvement in delivering work product, solutions, and outcomes within area of expertise.
• Ability to evaluate options critically and apply sound judgment to identify the most effective and scalable solution.

Learn & Be Curious

Think outside the box. Always learning.

• Demonstrated ability to quickly acquire new skills, tools, or domain knowledge in response to evolving business needs.
• Proven track record of applying creative or unconventional thinking to solve problems.

Be Resourceful

Be hungry, frugal, and flexible. Use what you have. Find a way.

• Demonstrated ability to deliver results in resource-constrained environments by maximizing existing tools, processes, and partnerships.
• Proven ability to adapt and find effective solutions in ambiguous or rapidly changing situations.

Delight Customers

Build stronger relationships with internal and external customers.

• Demonstrated commitment to understanding and exceeding the needs of internal and/or external customers.
• Track record of building and maintaining strong, trust-based relationships that drive positive outcomes for all stakeholders.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Required to wear personal protective equipment when applicable. 
• Able to pass a respirator fit test and wear a respirator periodically.
• Able to work in an office, lab, and manufacturing environment with chemicals, moving mechanical parts, and electrical hazards.