Staff Researcher - Cell Process Development

Job Description

At General Motors, our product teams are redefining mobility. Through a human-centered design process, we create vehicles and experiences that are designed not just to be seen, but to be felt. We’re turning today’s impossible into tomorrow’s standard —from breakthrough hardware and battery systems to intuitive design, intelligent software, and next-generation safety and entertainment features.  

Every day, our products move millions of people as we aim to make driving safer, smarter, and more connected, shaping the future of transportation on a global scale.

The Role

GM is seeking a staff researcher to join the Battery Research and Development (BRD) to help drive electrode preparation activities to efficiently sustain, improve methods, and support the development of new processing techniques to increase product performance, quality, and reliability.  The individual in this role will lead electrode development to requirement through scale-up with internal teams and external partners and develop next-generation cathode and anode electrode technology.

As a staff researcher, the candidate will be responsible for leading electrode process development including mixing, coating, calendaring, and cell assembly, to achieve electrode requirement. This person will be coordinating between the different functional groups such as design, process, controls, and interfacing with other key stakeholders such as operations, facilities, and manufacturing teams.

What You’ll Do

• Provide technical cell development leadership to a team of highly skilled and motivated scientists, drive breakthrough innovation, and develop technology strategy that enables next generation electrochemical devices and products
• Establish a process of engineering and standard work for electrode development and cell assembly.
• Set goals, define and track cross functional deliverables, identify risk, and drive mitigation across all stages of the program.
• Identify creative ways to overcome obstacles and meet the schedule despite setbacks.
• Work collaboratively with all engineering stakeholders (project engineering, design, manufacturing, process,  controls,  etc.) through the various stages of the project: Concept development, prototype testing, engineering design, system build, integration, and testing.
• Work with manufacturing engineering and cross-functional teams to drive the manufacturing program towards the plan.
• Drive vendor partnership working closely with supply chain and purchasing team and ensure alignment on engineering requirements, scope, schedule and cost.
• Continuously develop and adapt processes and methodologies to the team’s needs.
• Optimize and qualify electrode processes and identify quality control protocol.
• Establish quality control specifications for the processes and materials of interest
• Perform data analysis and support development of control charts
• Identify process obstacles and test various mixing, coating, calendaring, and storage management to optimize the process of the electrodes
• Manage proof-of-concept DOE to meet electrode specifications
• Work with the fabrication and testing of electrodes and coatings to quantitatively measure performance to meet product requirements by engaging in and supporting day-to-day work activities
• Conducts work requiring independent judgment in the evaluation, selection, adaptation, and modification of standard techniques, processes, and criteria to resolve complicated technical challenges
• Work with analytical chemists, and process engineers utilizing a strong technical background to identify, assess, and communicate technical risks and issues to apply diagnostics to investigate electrode failure modes and analysis to identify root causes and generate novel solutions
• Prepares reports and document results, provide conclusions and next steps to plan and drive solutions to address any/all identified gaps
• Contributes to the development of intellectual property
• Systematically reviews prior arts and presents new relevant developments to the team

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• MS/PhD in chemical engineering, material science, physics, or chemistry (or a related field)
• 10+ years of experience in electrode process development, electrode fabrication and electrode characterization/ analysis, and quality control methods and measurements.
• Hands-on experience with processes such as mixing, slurry coating, and calendaring
• Proficient using statistical methods for experiment planning, data analysis, and process control
• Proven ability to operate under pressure while managing multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Extensive experience developing and characterizing electrodes and electrode processes
• Knowledge and understanding of Battery Cell technology
• Experience in pilot or mass production-scale electrode process
• Cell design (all component, cathode, anode, electrolyte) and evaluation experience is plus
• Design principles and integration requirements of electrodes into electrochemical systems
• Experience with Design of Experiments (DOE) methodology and/or statistical methods
• Prior electrode and electrode equipment scale-up and manufacturing experience is a plus
• Experience transferring new electrode processes into high-volume manufacturing.
• Experience with next-generation lithium-ion, solid-state, or other advanced battery technologies.
• Experience with electrode defect analysis, process capability, statistical process control, and design of experiments.
• Experience with automation, controls, data systems, or digital manufacturing tools.
• Experience managing technical teams or mentoring scientists and engineers.
• Knowledge of battery safety, quality systems, and manufacturing standards.

What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Excellent laboratory practices, record keeping, report writing and presentation skills
• Prior experience with technology transfer, quality control, FMEA, and six sigma 
• Knowledgeable with various testing platforms for battery materials
• Good interpersonal, written, oral, and presentation skills
• Ability to comprehend complex problems and break them down into manageable, clearly understood work streams
• Demonstrated experience creating, maintaining and communicating schedules
• Ability to work cross-functionally with other teams
• Experienced in setting up project plans and react swiftly to communicate and mitigate setbacks
• Self-motivated to work independently with attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines
• Capacity to work in a multi-disciplinary environment with good analytical, interpersonal, and professional judgment skills
• Good organizational skills, record keeping, and follow through will be integral to success

 

Company Vehicle: Upon successful completion of a motor vehicle report review, you will be eligible to participate in a company vehicle evaluation program, through which you will be assigned a General Motors vehicle to drive and evaluate. Note: program participants are required to purchase/lease a qualifying GM vehicle every four years unless one of a limited number of exceptions applies.

GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. Do not apply for this role if you will need GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future. This includes direct company sponsorship, entry of GM as the immigration employer of record on a government form, and any work authorization requiring a written submission or other immigration support from the company (e.g., H1-B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc). This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location at least 3 times a week {or other frequency dictated by their manager}. The selected candidate will be required to travel <25% for this role. Relocation benefits are available for candidates who qualify under company policy.

About GM

Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.

Why Join Us 

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