Director, R&D Engineering at Sila Nanotechnologies in Alameda, CA
Sila Nanotechnologies
Nơi làm việc
Alameda, CA, USA
Hình thức tuyển dụng
Toàn thời gian
Chi tiết công việc
We change the landscape of what is possible with batteries. Our technology is a new chemistry that increases the energy density of Li-Ion batteries, which enables more features and design options for consumer devices and longer range, higher performance, and greater affordability for electric vehicles. Our product works today, drops into existing battery manufacturing processes, and is manufacturable economically at scale. We believe how we work together is as important as the great things we accomplish. Foundational to this belief is building an inclusive and distinctive culture - one that is collectively shaped and owned by all Silazens. Learn more about our values here. WHO YOU ARE You're a technical leader with a strong foundation of hands-on experience as an engineer. You've worked in open-ended R&D environments, built hardware (and the software that runs it) from the ground up, and learned firsthand what it means to own projects from concept through operational support. You know how to deliver reliable, deterministic synthesis tools that inspire confidence in their end-users. You thrive on enabling science through your team:
matching the right people with the right technical problems and training/hiring to fill skill gaps. You're a seasoned listener and communicator, which helps you collaborate seamlessly with a wide range of technical and operational experts:
from engineers to technicians to contractors to other managers. RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES Lead Sila's R&D Engineering Team, which is responsible for designing, building, and iterating on novel chemical synthesis tools. Help solve science problems by channeling your team's (and your own) technical creativity into robust, new-to-the-world hardware, software, and instrumentation. Attract, hire, onboard, and retain world-class engineers. Expand the team's bandwidth, capabilities, and diversity. Help guide team members' career growth. Provide frequent feedback that's actionable and easy for them to hear. When needed, modify roles to better fit the individuals in them, or help steer individuals toward different roles altogether. Contribute technically to system designs, from concept through operational support. Sila employs a wide range of technical disciplines, including CVD, bulk materials handling, gas delivery, wet chemical reactors, and vacuum systems. As the company takes on new problems, you'll help incorporate other new technical fields of practice into Sila's repertoire. Close loops. The nature of the machines the R&D Engineering team builds is that they're never truly done or handed off. Ensure that your team members take enduring ownership of their work product; make the team responsive to the company's ongoing R&D needs. Test and validate like the company depends on it. Take initiative in making improvements. Organize, document, communicate. Create enduring records of your team's work. Distill design decisions and experimental outcomes into accessible communication tailored to your audience. Collaborate extensively with adjacent technical teams at Sila. Bring the right level of operational discipline to an open-ended R&D setting. Help plan projects accurately and make sure they're executed according to plan. Creatively find opportunities to move faster and more efficiently. KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS Demonstrated excellence at building and leading technical teams. Experience managing team members to emphasize their strengths and support their professional development. Ability to fine-tune your own approach to suit different styles on your team. Proactiveness in anticipating and responding to staffing gaps. Demonstrated collaborative problem solving:
helping people share knowledge, resources, and strategies in order to solve ever-harder technical problems. Great communication skills, including the ability to surface problems constructively and get buy-in for proposed solutions. Strong mechanical design fundamentals. Experience in design and fab of complex assemblies, CAD software, and component sourcing. Intuition for the right balance of flexibility vs. robustness in designs. Expertise with lab or industrial automation platforms. Programming experience (C, C#, Python, .NET, MATLAB, or IEC 61131 PLC automation preferred), basic familiarity with software engineering best practices, and experience with lab/industrial electronics. Experience in R&D/laboratory settings with time pressure, open-ended technical problems, and substantial managerial autonomy. Ability to prioritize among a wide range of problems, both self-identified and as identified by others. A well-practiced ability to bring the right amount of structure to your team's projects. B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical/Controls Engineering, or a related discipline. 15 years of work experience (post B.S.) and experience in a startup environment. PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS Wear personal protective equipment including, but not limited to, a lab coat, gloves, safety glasses, and steel-toed safety shoes Move items up to 50 lbs with the assistance of lift equipment and carts Move long distances (such as from building to building) and be stationary for extended periods of time Reach low shelves or items on the floor Enter spaces narrower than 3 feet
Salary Range:
$250K -- $500K+
Minimum Qualification
Engineering Management, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical EngineeringEstimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications
