Electrode Coating Engineer (2+ Direct coating experience needed)

Role details

Overview

The Li-ion Battery Coatings Engineer is responsible for developing, optimizing, and scaling electrode coating processes used in lithium-ion battery manufacturing. This role focuses on slurry formulation, coating uniformity, drying, and process control to ensure high-performance cathode and anode electrodes. The engineer works closely with R&D, materials, and manufacturing teams to improve battery performance, yield, and manufacturability.

Key Responsibilities

1. Electrode Coating Process Development

• Develop and optimize slurry formulation for cathode and anode materials.
• Design and improve coating processes such as:
• Slot-die coating
• Doctor blade coating
• Roll-to-roll coating
• Optimize coating parameters including:
• slurry viscosity
• solid loading
• coating thickness
• web speed
• drying conditions

2. Process Scale-Up & Manufacturing

• Transfer coating processes from lab scale to pilot and production scale.
• Support roll-to-roll manufacturing lines for electrode production.
• Improve yield, throughput, and coating consistency.
• Troubleshoot coating defects such as:
• pinholes
• agglomeration
• delamination
• cracking
• thickness non-uniformity

3. Materials & Slurry Engineering

• Work with materials including:
• cathode active materials (NMC, LFP, NCA, etc.)
• graphite / silicon anodes
• binders (PVDF, CMC, SBR)
• conductive additives (carbon black, CNT)
• Characterize slurry properties:
• rheology
• dispersion
• particle distribution

4. Electrode Characterization

Perform characterization using tools such as:

• SEM
• optical microscopy
• thickness gauges
• porosity measurements
• adhesion tests
• calendaring analysis

Evaluate electrode properties including:

• coating density
• porosity
• adhesion
• loading (mg/cm²)

5. Process Troubleshooting & Optimization

• Identify root causes of coating defects.
• Use DOE (Design of Experiments) to optimize process parameters.
• Implement SPC and quality control methods for production lines.

6. Cross-Functional Collaboration

Work closely with:

• Cell design scientist and engineers
• Manufacturing engineers
• Quality teams
• Equipment vendors

Support the integration of coating processes into battery cell production.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience: 5\+ years of experience in electrode coating, battery manufacturing, or related fields.
• Technical Skills:
• Hands-on experience with electrode slurry preparation and coating techniques.
• Strong knowledge of material characterization techniques.
• Experience with coating equipment and process scale-up.
• Familiarity with statistical process control (SPC) and quality improvement tools.
• Soft Skills:
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
• Detail-oriented with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with a keen attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment while also being self-motivated.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, for effective interaction with team members and stakeholders.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $95,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person