The posting
About Blue Current
Blue Current (the “Company”) is the industry leader in the development of silicon solid state batteries. Free of flammable liquid electrolytes, Blue Current’s fully dry, inherently safe batteries significantly reduce risks to human and environmental health while providing a higher-performance alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries. Blue Current’s silicon-based platform is highly adaptable, enabling a cost-effective solution for both the mobility and stationary storage markets. Blue Current’s team works out of its state-of-the-art headquarters and pilot line facility in Hayward, California. To learn more about Blue Current, Inc., visit http://bluecurrent.com.
Position Summary
Blue Current is seeking a highly experienced and hands-on Staff Engineer, Anode R&D to lead the development and optimization of solid-state anodes. This role is pivotal in bridging slurry formulations to cell-level performance through mastery of rheology, mixing sequences, and material selection. The successful candidate will design and execute sophisticated experiments to evaluate the impact of novel materials, including active/inactive materials and solid-polymer electrolytes. By leveraging advanced electrochemical characterizations and analytical tools, the candidate will correlate anode microstructure with long-term cycling stability and degradation mechanisms. The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in solid electrolytes and silicon/graphite anode chemistry. This role requires a strategic mindset to drive intellectual property and manage collaborations with external vendors and national laboratories.
Essential Functions & Responsibilities
- Lead development of electrode formulations for solid-state composite anodes to improve energy density, cycling stability, and rate capability.
- Optimize mixing sequences and drying kinetics to control electrode microstructure, minimize defects, and enhance dispersion.
- Develop advanced diagnostic protocols and post-mortem workflows to characterize particle interfaces and complex electrode-electrolyte reactions.
- Validate performance impact by assembling and testing coin and pouch cells (half/full) across varied rate and temperature profiles.
- Lead systematic FMEA and RCA efforts to identify and mitigate failure modes specifically related to the anodes and polymer electrolytes.
- Establish robust SOPs for material evaluation and slurry process to ensure reproducibility and data integrity.
- Serve as the technical interface with external material vendors, characterization facilities, collaborators, and academic or national lab partners.
- Lead projects by developing clear, actionable plans with defined milestones and success metrics, managing effective timelines, and ensuring high-quality, on-schedule execution.
- Continuously survey and interpret literature on solid-state battery materials and architectures, integrating key insights into the company’s technical strategies.
- Drive innovation and IP development by exploring novel materials, cell designs, and processing approaches that advance solid-state cell performance.
- Support a strong safety culture by following and improving laboratory safety practices, demonstrating exemplary experimental techniques, and helping implement best-practice updates.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
- PhD (with 3+ years of industry experience), MS (with 6+ years of experience), or BS (with 8+ years of experience) in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or a related field, with a focus on batteries or electrochemical devices
Experience
- Hands-on experience in lithium-ion or solid-state battery development, with direct involvement in slurry development or process optimization.
- Demonstrated experience developing and optimizing anode slurry and composite electrodes in an industry or applied research environment
- Hands-on experience assembling cells and executing electrochemical testing to evaluate material and cell performance
- Experience working cross-functionally with materials, cell engineering, and leadership teams to advance programs
Skills & Knowledge
- Deep knowledge of solid electrolytes, including ion transport dynamics and chemical/mechanical stability requirements
- Extensive expertise in anode active materials, specifically focusing on the electrochemical behavior of graphite and silicon anodes
- Extensive expertise in full-cell and half-cell testing and interpretation of electrochemical data (e.g., EIS, CV, GITT, dQ/dV analysis)
- Familiarity with analytical and characterization tools such as SEM, XRD, TGA, FTIR, DSC, and related techniques
- Demonstrated project leadership skills, including the ability to lead cross-functional investigations and deliver high-quality results in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent problem-solving and communication skills, with the ability to translate technical findings into strategic engineering steps for senior leadership
- Commitment to safety, with experience in following and improving laboratory and pilot-line best practices
Preferred Qualifications
- Direct experience with solid-state battery systems, particularly composite anodes with sulfide-based or polymer-based solid electrolytes
- Direct experience with slurry formulation, rheology, and electrode processing for composite materials
- Direct experience identifying failure modes and driving root-cause analysis, particularly with silicon and graphite anodes
Core Values — Minimum Qualifications
Safety & Security First
For employees, customers, and intellectual property
- Demonstrated commitment to maintaining a safe and secure work environment, including adherence to workplace safety protocols, data privacy standards, and confidentiality requirements.
- Proven ability to identify and appropriately escalate potential risks to personnel, customers, or sensitive information.
Trust & Respect
Treat everyone with honesty, dignity, and sensitivity. Embrace different perspectives. Be humble.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with individuals of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and working styles.
- Track record of maintaining professionalism, integrity, and discretion in all workplace interactions.
Ownership & Accountability
Take responsibility and action. Set goals and deliver. Don't wait for others.
- Demonstrated ability to independently prioritize, execute, and follow through on responsibilities with minimal supervision.
- Proven track record of setting measurable goals, meeting deadlines, and taking initiative to resolve challenges proactively.
Technical Excellence
Always strive for the best solution possible.
- Demonstrated commitment to quality and continuous improvement in delivering work product, solutions, and outcomes within area of expertise.
- Ability to evaluate options critically and apply sound judgment to identify the most effective and scalable solution.
Learn & Be Curious
Think outside the box. Always learning.
- Demonstrated ability to quickly acquire new skills, tools, or domain knowledge in response to evolving business needs.
- Proven track record of applying creative or unconventional thinking to solve problems.
Be Resourceful
Be hungry, frugal, and flexible. Use what you have. Find a way.
- Demonstrated ability to deliver results in resource-constrained environments by maximizing existing tools, processes, and partnerships.
- Proven ability to adapt and find effective solutions in ambiguous or rapidly changing situations.
Delight Customers
Build stronger relationships with internal and external customers.
- Demonstrated commitment to understanding and exceeding the needs of internal and/or external customers.
- Track record of building and maintaining strong, trust-based relationships that drive positive outcomes for all stakeholders.
Physical Requirements & Working Conditions
- Required to wear personal protective equipment when applicable.
- Able to pass a respirator fit test and wear a respirator periodically.
- Able to work in an office, lab, and manufacturing environment with chemicals, moving mechanical parts, and electrical hazards.
Salary Range
$125,100—$167,000 USD
Equal Opportunity Employment Statement
Blue Current is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
At-Will Employment & Disclaimer
Employment at Blue Current is at-will. This means that either the employee or Blue Current may terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason or no reason, with or without cause, and with or without advance notice, subject to applicable law. This job description does not create an express or implied contract of employment, nor does it alter the at-will nature of the employment relationship. The duties, responsibilities, and qualifications described herein are subject to change at the Company's discretion and do not represent all tasks that may be required of this role.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for sponsorship now or in the future.
