About this opportunity
QuantumScape Battery, Inc. lists this Principal Process Development Engineer opportunity in san jose, California. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Principal Process Development Engineer
Date: Jul 10, 2026
Location: CA, US, 95131
Work Location Type: On-site
Description
QuantumScape is on a mission to transform energy storage with solid‑state lithium‑metal battery technology. The company’s next‑generation batteries are designed to enable greater energy density, faster charging and enhanced safety to support the transition away from legacy energy sources toward a lower carbon future.
About the team
The Cobra Hardware & Process team develops the heat treatment equipment and process for scale‑up of the Cobra ceramic separator manufacturing process. We custom design most of our tools in‑house to the needs of our unique process and materials system. The team consists of both hardware and process engineers, who work closely together to identify and implement novel solutions for improving throughput, quality and robustness.
What we need
The Cobra team is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Process Development Engineer to help develop our next‑generation processes and tools. We are looking for a candidate with a strong background in processing or materials, who also has experience working on equipment and can interface seamlessly with mechanical and controls engineers on the team. In this position, your input will be critical in guiding which new design and process approaches are prototyped, get deployed on production tooling, and become part of our long‑term roadmap, making this a pivotal role for shaping the future of our separator manufacturing.
What you’ll do
Design and execute experiments for fabricating ceramic films on prototype heat treatment equipment
Analyze materials characterization data, prepare reports for colleagues, and make recommendations for process and hardware improvements
Suggest, oversee and evaluate effects of hardware modifications to existing processing equipment
Bring up, debug and transfer processes to new production equipment
Identify potential process or hardware failure modes and develop robust mitigation strategies
Skills you’ll need
PhD in engineering or science with 6+ years of experience, preferably in an industrial process R&D setting. MS and BS candidates with equivalent industry experience in process research and development will also be considered.
Experience in materials characterization techniques (e.g. XRD, SEM, FIB, EDS)
Experience in hands‑on troubleshooting of mechanical systems, preferably processing equipment for battery, semiconductor, or related fields
Familiarity with mechanical design, including at least one major CAD package, e.g. SolidWorks, AutoDesk Inventor
Working knowledge of statistics and proficiency in data analysis software, e.g. JMP, Python, or equivalent
Capability to drive projects to completion with little oversight
Nice to have
Experience in web handling
Deep familiarity with high temperature processing and equipment, e.g. Rapid Thermal Processing (RTP)
Experience fabricating or characterizing ceramic materials or thin films, especially solid electrolyte or energy materials
Experience in process and/or manufacturing scale‑up
Physical requirements
Work is performed in a dry room or lab area, requiring the use of fine motor skills
Sitting or standing for extended periods of time
Reaching and twisting motions with hands
Lifting up to 25 lbs.
ONSITE
This position is required to work onsite 5 days per week to meet the minimum essential duties and requirements of this position. As an on‑site R&D and manufacturing operations organization, in‑person face to face interaction is essential to building authentic relationships, trust, teamwork, and collaboration.
Compensation & Benefits
Expected salary range for this role is from $161,500 to $217,450, and a final salary will be determined by the candidate’s experience and educational background. QuantumScape also offers an annual bonus and a generous RSU/Equity package as part of its compensation plan. In addition, we do offer a tremendous benefits plan including employee paid health care, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), and other benefits.
Equal Opportunity Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request an accommodation.
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Worksite address
san jose, CA, 95199, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.