Director – R&D Equipment Engineering

Who You Are

You’re a technical and strategic leader with a strong foundation of hands-on experience as an engineer. You’ve worked in open-ended R&D environments, built hardware (and the software that runs it) from the ground up, and learned firsthand what it means to own projects from concept through operational support. You know how to deliver reliable, deterministic tools that inspire confidence in their end-users. You have a diverse background and understanding of equipment and can articulate the ‘why’ of hardware from a foundational understanding of the process it is designed for as well as the ‘how’ through an understanding of mechanics, dynamics, controls and automation, I/O sensors, and cause & effect matrices and responses. You thrive on enabling science through your team: matching the right people with the right technical problems and training/hiring to fill skill gaps. You are a leader that builds trust through giving trust and challenging and growing the skills of the team and are a seasoned listener and communicator, which helps you collaborate seamlessly with a wide range of technical and operational experts: from engineers to technicians to contractors to other managers. 

You are capable of delivering multiple projects in parallel, experienced in all phases of design from early concept through validation and handoff. You develop a strong and highly-engaged team, soliciting input and debate from all levels in the organization, setting clear standards for work quality, and being a transparent decision-maker.

You’re passionate and knowledgeable about: clean energy, advanced materials, particulates, batteries, or related fields, sciences, and technologies.

Responsibilities and Duties  

• Provide inspirational leadership for a team of mechanical design, equipment and controls engineers and R&D fabricators & technicians designing and building first-of-a-kind materials processing and battery testing equipment. Help solve science problems by channeling your team’s (and your own) technical creativity into robust, new-to-the-world hardware, software, and instrumentation. 
• Artfully balance competing resources and cross-functional objectives in a fast-paced and matrixed environment. 
• Attract, hire, onboard, and retain world-class engineers. Expand the team’s bandwidth, capabilities, and diversity. Coach and grow talent through consistent feedback, navigation of challenges, and celebration of wins. Create opportunities for staff career growth, identify top performers and develop their careers. 
• Contribute technically to system designs, from concept through operational support. Sila employs a wide range of technical disciplines, including CVD, bulk materials handling, gas delivery, wet chemical reactors, vacuum systems, and a variety of mechanical assembly and test equipment for cell fabrication and test. As the company takes on new problems, you’ll help incorporate other new technical fields of practice into Sila’s repertoire.
• Review and approve key design process work: mechanical design reviews, P&ID, HAZID/HAZOPS, design verification, factory/site acceptance test plans, and other test plans.
• Work collaboratively with your team to support existing tools; support your team in deep troubleshooting and use issues as opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Work closely with the R&D Operations and R&D Battery Operations teams to consistently improve performance metrics and identify the key levers to drive optimal process reliability, quality and uptime
• Organize, document, communicate. Create enduring records of your team’s work. Distill design decisions and experimental outcomes into accessible communication tailored to your audience. Collaborate extensively with adjacent technical teams at Sila.
• Bring the right level of operational discipline to an open-ended R&D setting. Help plan projects accurately and make sure they’re executed according to plan. Creatively find opportunities to move faster and more efficiently.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements 

• Demonstrated excellence at building and leading technical teams. Experience managing team members to emphasize their strengths and support their professional development. Ability to fine-tune your own approach to suit different styles on your team. Proactiveness in anticipating and responding to staffing gaps.
• Demonstrated collaborative problem solving: helping people share knowledge, resources, and strategies in order to solve ever-harder technical problems. Great communication skills, including the ability to surface problems constructively and get buy-in for proposed solutions.
• Strong mechanical design fundamentals. Experience in design and fab of complex assemblies, CAD software, and component sourcing. Intuition for the right balance of flexibility vs. robustness in designs. 
• Expertise with lab or industrial automation platforms. Programming experience (C, C#, Python, .NET, MATLAB, or IEC 61131 PLC automation preferred), basic familiarity with software engineering best practices, and experience with lab/industrial electronics.
• Experience in R&D/laboratory settings with time pressure, open-ended technical problems, and substantial managerial autonomy. Ability to prioritize among a wide range of problems, both self-identified and as identified by others. A well-practiced ability to bring the right amount of structure to your team’s projects.
• B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical/Controls Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 15 years of work experience (post B.S.) and experience in a startup environment.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Required
  
  • Wear personal protective equipment including, but not limited to, a lab coat, gloves, safety glasses, and composite toe safety shoes (
  • Move long distances (such as from building to building) and be stationary for extended periods of time
  • Operate a computer and other office equipment, such as a laptop, copier/printer, etc in a fixed location
  Occassionally
  
  • Move items up to 50 lbs with the assistance of lift equipment and carts
  • Enter spaces narrower than 3 feet
  • Climb stairs or over containment walls (including portable stairs up to equipment or climb a ladder)
  • Reach low shelves or items on the floor
  Rarely
  
  • Pass a respirator fit test and be able to wear respiratory protection on a daily basis

The starting base pay for this role is between $211,000 and $276,640 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.

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