Staff Engineer, Cell Process Development

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 Manufacturing and Yield team is a hands-on group of process and manufacturing engineers dedicated to ensuring stable, high-quality Gen 1 battery cell production. We work at the intersection of process control and manufacturing execution - maintaining process stability, driving yield improvement, and resolving excursions across both the FSD and Development production lines. Our team values technical rigor, cross-functional collaboration, and a continuous improvement mindset.

What we need: We are seeking a highly experienced Staff Engineer, Cell Process Development level to own critical manufacturing processes on the Gen 1 battery line. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in precision process engineering, excels at leading complex process investigations, and operates with a high degree of independence to drive process stability, control, and continuous improvement across both the FSD and Development production lines.

What You’ll Do:

Process Ownership & Control

• Own assigned manufacturing processes on the Gen 1 battery line, covering both FSD and Development line operations.
• Define, maintain, and optimize process recipes, control plans, and process specifications to ensure stability and repeatability.
• Establish and maintain process monitoring strategies - including control limits, SPC charts, and response protocols for out-of-control conditions.
• Lead process qualification and requalification activities following equipment maintenance, upgrades, or process changes.

Yield Improvement & Process Optimization

• Identify yield loss mechanisms and lead root cause analysis using structured methodologies (e.g., 8D, fishbone, 5-Why).
• Design and execute DOEs to optimize process parameters, improve process margins, and reduce variability.
• Analyze production and metrology data to develop process insights and implement data-driven improvements.
• Partner with Quality and Metrology teams to define and maintain CTQ metrics and measurement systems for process-critical attributes.

Process Troubleshooting & Equipment Collaboration

• Diagnose and resolve complex process and equipment interactions, minimizing yield impact and production downtime.
• Develop and maintain process-level troubleshooting guides and response procedures for production excursions.
• Collaborate with equipment engineers and technicians to ensure process requirements are reflected in maintenance and PM strategies.
• Maintain and update SOPs, process specifications, and engineering documentation for all assigned process areas.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Process Transfer

• Work closely with Manufacturing, Metrology, Quality, and Operations teams to ensure process requirements are understood and met across functions.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers on process fundamentals, control strategy, and best practices.
• Represent assigned processes in engineering reviews, CRB submissions, and cross-functional technical discussions.
• Support process transfer activities to higher-volume production lines, ensuring process knowledge and control strategies are effectively scaled.

Skills You’ll Need:

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field, with 8+ years of process engineering experience in a manufacturing environment; or Master’s degree with 6+ years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in precision process engineering in a production or high-precision manufacturing environment, preferably in battery, semiconductor, or related industries.
• Hands-on experience developing, optimizing, and controlling automated manufacturing processes.
• Strong proficiency in statistical process control (SPC), DOE methodology, and data analysis tools (Python, JMP, or equivalent).
• Proven ability to independently lead complex process investigations and drive corrective actions to closure.
• Experience writing and maintaining SOPs, process specifications, and engineering documentation in a quality-managed environment.
• Strong cross-functional communication and influencing skills, with the ability to drive alignment across teams with competing priorities.

Nice to have:

• Experience with KNS dispense units or similar high-precision automated dispense platforms.
• Background in battery manufacturing, semiconductor, or other high-precision thin-film or materials deposition processes.
• Familiarity with CAPA systems, MSA/GRR studies, and CTQ-based process qualification.
• Experience supporting process transfer or new product introduction (NPI) to higher-volume production.

Physical requirements:

• Work is performed in a dry room, fume hood, lab area, or glovebox requiring the use of fine motor skills and PPE.
• 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 manufacturing operations organization, in-person presence is essential to supporting floor operations, building authentic relationships, trust, teamwork, and collaboration.

Compensation & Benefits: Expected salary range for this role is from $136,700 to $208,500 and a final salary will be determined by the candidate's experience, educational background and internal equity. QuantumScape also offers an annual bonus and a generous RSU/Equity package as part of its compensation plan. In addition, we do offer a tremendous benefits plan including employee paid health care, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), and other benefits.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request an accommodation.