Senior Process Engineer

ABOUT US

We design and produce engineered materials that dramatically increase the energy density of rechargeable Li-ion batteries. We enable smaller, lighter, longer lasting electronic devices and unlock mass adoption of affordable, long-range electric vehicles. Our products work today, are a drop-in solution for existing battery manufacturing processes, and can be manufactured economically at scale.

Sila was founded in 2011 and is based in Alameda, CA. Our founders are two early Tesla Motors battery engineers and a Professor of Materials Science at Georgia Tech. We’re backed by top tier venture capital firms, led by Bessemer Venture Partners, Matrix Partners, Sutter Hill Ventures, and In-Q-Tel.

Our company culture is built on personal growth, mutual trust, inclusiveness, and safety. We are building a world-class materials company, where our team is close, debates are data-driven, and our nerdiest office puppies are named Angstrom, Lumen, and Gadget.

We believe that building a diverse team at Sila helps us amplify our individual talents. We are an equal opportunity employer and committed to creating an inclusive environment where good ideas are free to come from anyone. We are proud to celebrate diversity and all qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, national origin, or any other status protected by law.

Results Expected

• Create process and system designs for scalable unit operations: PFD, HMB, P&ID, PHA/HAZOP, control systems.
• Plan and perform experiments to understand reaction kinetics and translate findings and material phase data into sizing for pipes, equipment and reactors.
• Generate operations and maintenance manuals, SOPs/training, validation, analytics, specifications, root cause analysis, sensitivity analysis, etc.
• Safely startup, troubleshoot and operate manufacturing assets during the design, construction, commissioning and validation phases of process development.
• Collaborate positively and effectively with project management, technical and operations teammates to design, procure and commission new plant systems and equipment.

WHO YOU ARE

You are creative, diligent, rigorous, insightful and hands-on. You understand the principles of process design and operation. You will scaleup chemical processes and commission new industrial facilities to manufacture materials for Li-ion batteries. You will be on a team of diverse individuals united by a shared goal. We start with first principles, develop new materials, and deliver processes through pilot-scale into commercial production. You will leverage your previous experience in plant design, commissioning and operation to collaborate with a team of Process, Equipment, Project Management and Operations teammates and successfully deliver large volumes of next-generation battery materials into a growing market.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES 

• Design world-class chemical processes and plant systems for next-generation battery materials.
• Develop high-quality engineering packages to translate design intent into reality: process flow diagrams, heat and material balances, equipment sizing, piping and instrumentation diagrams.
• Plan and execute experiments at lab- and pilot-scales to understand the kinetic and transport  limits of Sila’s production processes and thoughtfully improve them.
• Troubleshoot and startup first-of-a-kind production facilities for battery materials.
• Set up plant operations teams for success by co-authoring procedures & training manuals and working side-by-side to transfer critical process knowledge.
• Collaborate positively across the organization with technical, business and operations teammates to build Sila’s future production operations.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS

• B.S./M.S. Chemical Engineering with 5+ years of industrial processing experience 
• Understand asset operation and troubleshooting: wiring, mechanics, and instrument operation
• Be a conscientious, curious, and a deliberate thinker/actor
• Desire to work on a team while also able to solve problems independently
• Materials science and engineering R&D experience would be nice
• Proficiency with process simulation or statistical process control would be nice

Physical demands and working conditions

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position to operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a laptop, copier/printer machine, etc.
• Pass a respirator fit test and be able to wear respiratory protection every day
• Repetitive use of hands - light to forceful handling of material
• Wear personal protective equipment including, but not limited to, a lab coat, gloves, safety glasses, N95 Mask, and steel toe safety shoes