Battery Operations Technician

About Us

We are Sila, a next-generation battery materials company. Our mission is to power the world’s transition to clean energy. To create this future, our team is building a better lithium-ion battery from the inside out today. We engineer and manufacture ground-breaking battery materials that significantly increase the energy density of batteries, while reducing their size and weight. The result? Smaller more powerful batteries that can unlock innovation in consumer devices and accelerate the mass adoption of electric cars to eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels. We're tackling one of the biggest challenges of our time every day, and together we're redefining what's possible. Are you ready to be a part of a team committed to changing the world?

Who You Are

As a Technician in the R&D Operations group, you will be a part of the team that synthesizes and tests the new versions of Sila materials for applications in lithium-ion battery concepts. You are attentive to details and diligent in your observations, with curiosity and seek to be part of a team producing the next generation of battery materials. You have some broad hands-on laboratory experience, including both wet chemistry and chemical/physical vapor deposition. You also know your way around a few analytical tools. You are someone who takes ownership of your work, strives for perfection, and is passionate about achieving team goals and objectives.

You will contribute primarily through the production and assessment of small scale batches of experimental materials. Your work will be spread between some daily core-responsibilities and one or two more-unique projects, which will change on a regular basis. You have strong interpersonal and cooperation skills, as well as a passion to help solve difficult materials problems.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Synthesize small scale batches of material via bench-top wet-chemistry methods in fume hoods, semi-automated flow reactors, and semi-automated vapor deposition techniques in vacuum chambers.
• Troubleshoot synthesis operations and synthesis tools, especially during weekend operations.
• Perform measurements with analytical tools such as microscopes, precision balances, centrifugal particle sizers, TGA, DSC, spectrometers and other analytical methods.
• Execute small development projects in collaboration with scientists and engineers.
• Help to continuously maintain order and structure in the work environment to maintain operational efficiency and work-flow rates.
• Record work and keep data updated in an online database
• Handle inventory and maintain a tidy and effective work area
• Work collaboratively with other technicians, engineers, and scientists
• Effectively communicate results to troubleshoot, correct, and prevent issues

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Laboratory experience that includes hands-on bench-top wet-chemical synthesis and chemical/physical vapor deposition.
• Practical experience operating and troubleshooting an established synthesis process.
• Practical experience troubleshooting vacuum systems and synthesis furnaces.
• Enough exposure to one or more analytical instruments to be able to explain how to use them, what they do, and why they are used.
• Ability to evaluate and troubleshoot
• The ability to record and communicate laboratory work in various systems.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Able to lift up to 50 lbs
• Able to walk long distances and stand for extended periods of time
• Able to work in a laboratory using glove boxes and fume hoods
• Pass a respirator fit test and be able to wear respiratory protection on a daily basis
• Repetitive use of hands - light to forceful handling of material
• Able to work a non-standard work schedule that includes some combination of weekdays, weekends, and start times to complete a 40-hour work week

Training Shift: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM

Regular Shift: Back-End Day Shift: Every other Wednesday, Thursday - Saturday, 6:00am - 6:15pm

The starting base pay for this role is between $30/hr and $36/hr at the time of posting. The actual base pay depends on many factors, such as education, experience, and skills. Base pay is only one part of Sila’s competitive Total Rewards package that can include benefits, perks, and equity. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. This role may also be eligible for overtime.

Working at Sila

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.