Staff Manufacturing Process Engineer - Battery Cell Assembly

Amprius Technologies (NYSE: AMPX) is a leader in high-energy, high-power lithium-ion batteries built on silicon anode technology. Our SiCore® and SiMaxx™ cells power unmanned aerial systems, aviation and other applications where weight and energy density matter most. Headquartered in Fremont, California, Amprius designs cells in house and produces them through a global network of contract manufacturing partners.

Summary

Amprius Technologies is hiring hands-on Manufacturing Process Engineers Staff level, to join our Manufacturing group in Fremont, CA. The engineer will own the process parameters, first-pass yield, and throughput of a group of lithium-ion cell-assembly stations — front-end assembly (electrode notching, stacking, and tab welding) or back-end assembly (pouch forming, sealing, electrolyte fill, and degas) — with station assignments based on experience. You will join as we bring new pilot-line equipment online and ramp it to full production rate. These are highly visible roles reporting to the Pilot Line Manager.

What Success Looks Like

Within your first year, you will own first-pass yield and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) for your stations, have released qualified process windows, control plans, and SOPs for each, and have delivered measurable yield and cycle-time improvements that show up in the line's output.

Job Responsibilities

· Key role in lithium-ion cell manufacturing.

· Own process parameters for your assigned cell-assembly stations: develop recipes, define and qualify process windows, and maintain process specifications and control plans.

· Design and run structured experiments (DOE) to optimize parameters against yield, cycle time, and cell performance, and release the results as specifications, SOPs, and operator training.

· Own first-pass yield and scrap at your stations: build defect Paretos, lead root-cause investigations (8D, 5-Why, fishbone), and drive corrective and preventive actions to closure.

· Drive throughput: measure OEE and cycle time, identify bottlenecks, lead line-balancing and changeover-reduction efforts, and quantify the capacity gained.

· Implement SPC and in-line inspection on critical process parameters, and set up data collection (tool logs, MES) so yield and throughput are visible by station, product, and shift.

· Lead PFMEAs and control plans for new or changed processes, and qualify changes with capability studies (Cpk, Gage R&R) before release to production.

· Partner with equipment vendors, maintenance, and controls engineering to resolve tool issues that limit yield or uptime; support FAT/SAT and new-tool introduction as needed.

· Write and maintain SOPs and work instructions; train and mentor technicians and operators.

· Support daily production: troubleshoot process excursions, disposition nonconforming material, and respond to off-shift escalations when needed.

· Apply lean and Six Sigma methods to continuous improvement across the assembly line, and champion safe handling of electrolyte, lithium-ion cells, and dry-room operations.

· Work with R&D engineers to develop new processes for new products.

· Maintain active role on internal continuous improvement.

· Mentor and supervise lab technicians as required.

Requirements

Qualifications – Required

· BS in Mechanical, Chemical, Materials, Industrial, or Electrical Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree a plus.

· 8+ years of process or manufacturing engineering experience in lithium-ion cell production or comparable precision manufacturing, including hands-on ownership of cell-assembly processes.

· Hands-on experience running, tuning, and qualifying cell-assembly equipment such as electrode notching or slitting, stacking or winding, ultrasonic or laser tab welding, pouch forming and sealing, electrolyte filling, and degassing.

· Demonstrated yield or throughput improvements you owned end to end — from data analysis and root cause through implementation and sustained results.

· Proficiency with DOE and statistical analysis (JMP, Minitab, or equivalent), SPC, PFMEA, and measurement system analysis (Gage R&R).

· Working knowledge of how assembly parameters and defects (alignment, weld quality, seal integrity, moisture ingress, contamination) affect lithium-ion cell performance, safety, and yield.

· Takes initiative, works with minimal supervision, and takes ownership of critical projects; collaborates well with technicians, operators, and cross-functional engineers.

· Clear written and verbal communication, including the ability to write SOPs and present data-driven recommendations to leadership.

· Able to work in a dry room and on the production floor daily; committed to environmental, health, and safety requirements.

Qualifications – Preferred

· Pouch-cell assembly experience; exposure to silicon-anode or other next-generation chemistries.

· Experience with MES and with tool-data extraction and analysis (Python, SQL, or similar).

· Six Sigma Green Belt / Black Belt or equivalent lean certification.

· Experience bringing new equipment or a new line from FAT/SAT through ramp to production rate.

· For Staff level: experience mentoring engineers and leading cross-functional improvement programs.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

· On-site in Fremont, CA, primarily on the production floor and in the dry room with some desk and computer work.

· Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at a time.

· Works with lithium-ion cells, electrolyte, and solvents under established safety controls.

· Occasional off-shift or weekend support for production escalations

Benefits

• Comprehensive compensation package includes base salary. Salary range for this role is $150,000 - 200,000. Base salary will be determined based on knowledge, experience, and education.
• Health benefits include medical, dental and vision coverage.  Medical options of HMO and PPO plans.
• Employer-funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA). HSA compatible Medical Plan, FSA Options.
• Pet Health Insurance (dog & cats).
• Traditional and Roth 40l(k) Plans.
• Generous vacation leave starts with 3 weeks annual accrual. 10 paid holidays. Sick time off.
• Cell phone reimbursement.

Amprius Technologies is committed to promoting an equal employment opportunity workplace environment and is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expressions, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information (GINA), protected veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law. The Company’s policy is to recruit, hire, train, promote, and administer all employment-related matters based on an individual’s qualifications, abilities, and efforts without regard to protected status.