Chemical Technician - Battery Materials

We are building a world-class foundational science team, founded by former Tesla leadership. We’re a well-funded seed-stage sodium-ion battery company focused on truly redefining the future of energy storage and we are very excited about it.

As our Chemical Technician (Materials Scale-up and Optimization), you will work closely with the Materials R&D team. You will support active material synthesis trials with batch sizes typically ranging from benchtop scale (50-200 g) to pilot trials in the 1-5 kg range.

The following responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Hands-on support of synthesis trials at benchtop (50-200 g) and pilot scale (1-5 kg).
• Making solutions of metal salt solutions as precursors for precipitation reactions.
• Pre-treatment of metal salt solutions to eliminate impurities.
• Operation of precipitation reactor using process control software.
• Filtration, washing, drying of reaction products.
• Powder processing and solid-state synthesis steps such as ball milling, dry blending etc.
• Operation of tube furnaces and/or controlled atmosphere muffle furnaces for calcination reactions.

• High school diploma or equivalent required;
  Associate degree or technical certification in manufacturing, materials science, chemistry, or engineering technology preferred.
• Working knowledge of chemical synthesis, preferably in production of battery active or similarly advanced solid materials.
• Ability to follow detailed SOPs and DoE instructions precisely.
• Comfort working with fine powders, corrosive acids and bases, and chemical handling procedures.
• Experience with working in glove boxes.
• Ability to wear required PPE (respirators, gloves, safety glasses) for extended periods.
• Ability to lift heavy items (up to 40 lb.)
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to documentation accuracy.
• Good communication and observation skills

• Direct experience working with precipitation reactors at 5-10 L scale or higher, and/or with calcination processes
• Direct experience with synthesis process optimization and scale-up for cathode active materials used in Li-ion and/or Na-ion batteries.
• Direct experience with Li-ion and/or Na-ion battery cells and their components.
• Direct work experience with automated process controls and HMI systems.

• Innovative / flexible / yet fast-paced development environment
• Very close collaboration with technical team and stakeholders across the company
• Small, growing, international team from 7+ countries
• Office snacks include healthy options, chips, drinks
• Onsite work schedule currently

• Ground-floor opportunity to shape both the science and the culture of a well-funded seed-stage company
• Direct access to founders; no bureaucratic barriers to pursuing bold ideas
• Work on a problem that matters - sodium-ion is one of the most consequential battery chemistries of the next decade

As a full-time regular employee, you're eligible for the following.

• Competitive salary + meaningful early-stage equity
• Flexible time off (for exempt employees)
• Medical Healthcare Insurance, plus additional coverage offered for family members
• Dental and Vision Insurance, plus additional coverage offered for family members
• HSA (Health Savings Account) option
• FSA (Flexible Spending Account) option