Job description
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. What we need: We're looking for a Senior Engineer, Cell Development to scope and lead end‑to‑end development efforts that directly impact cell performance and reliability. You'll lead projects to devise innovative cell designs, specify and optimize assembly processes, and integrate new materials/components into our anode‑less solid‑state batteries. You'll partner across automation, metrology, FA and manufacturing, owning projects and driving them to completion. What You'll do: Lead integration and validation of new components and materials on next‑generation cell platforms. Develop methodologies and experiments to validate key cell design performance, reliability, and safety criteria. Design rigorous DOEs; apply statistical and analytical methods to evaluate approaches and compare effectiveness. Model reliability performance (e.g., Weibull, Kaplan-Meier) and connect mechanisms to actionable design/process changes. Define critical‑to‑quality (CTQ) metrics, acceptance criteria, and validation plans. Collaborate with cell build process teams, equipment design teams, safety, quality, metrology, and production teams to execute on critical path projects. Skills You'll Need: BS or higher degree in engineering, materials science, physics, or a related field. Minimum of Master's degree with 3+ years of relevant experience; OR Bachelor's degree with 5+ years of relevant experience. Proven track record of leading projects to successful completion. Prior experience in or knowledge of electrochemistry/electrochemical systems and battery test methods. R&D process‑development experience (cell assembly, metrology, process specs, scale‑up). Prior experience with Python for data analysis/visualization; solid statistics (DoE, regression, confidence intervals). Excellent technical communication and cross‑functional collaboration. Nice to have: Reliability analysis experience (Weibull, survival analysis, life test planning). 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 $112,500 to $163,200, and a final salary will be determined by the candidate's experience, educational background and internal equity.. 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. 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.
Pay & benefits
About this role
About QuantumScape
Company Overview
QuantumScape Battery, Inc.
San Jose, California, United States
2010
Approximately 900 employees globally (source: wikipedia.org)
What They Do
QuantumScape is a pioneering company focused on the development of solid-state lithium-metal batteries specifically designed for electric vehicles. Their core technology emphasizes higher energy density, faster charging capabilities, and enhanced safety compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries (source: quantumscape.com). The company has developed an innovative anode-less cell design that aims to reduce material costs and simplify manufacturing processes while increasing energy density (source: quantumscape.com). Their battery architecture incorporates a lithium metal anode, a solid-state ceramic separator that prevents dendrite formation and is chemically stable with lithium, and an organic liquid electrolyte surrounding the cathode (source: wikipedia.org). QuantumScape targets automotive battery customers and manufacturing partners rather than end consumers, positioning their technology to meet the demands of electric vehicles requiring longer range, rapid charging, and improved safety (source: quantumscape.com). Their unique approach to solid-state lithium-metal cells addresses key technical challenges in next-generation EV batteries by eliminating the traditional graphite anode bottleneck (source: quantumscape.com).
Projects & Track Record
QuantumScape's track record is best understood through its technological milestones and prototype development rather than completed utility-scale projects. The company has focused extensively on battery cell development, prototype validation, and scaling production capabilities (source: ir.quantumscape.com). Their partnership with Volkswagen Group stands out as a major collaboration, with Volkswagen acting as a significant investor and customer, reflecting strong industry validation (source: wikipedia.org). Customer orders totaling approximately $20 million have been reported, underscoring commercial interest aligned with their automotive focus (source: youtube.com). QuantumScape’s Eagle production line and scalable production demonstrations represent key steps toward commercial manufacturing of solid-state battery technology (source: youtube.com).
Recent Developments
In the past two years, QuantumScape has concentrated on advancing commercialization efforts and production scale-up rather than acquisitions or large project wins (source: ir.quantumscape.com). Their 2026 outlook highlights the Eagle production line and scalable manufacturing demonstrations as critical milestones in solid-state battery technology deployment (source: youtube.com). Management projects an adjusted EBITDA loss between $250 million and $275 million for 2026, reflecting the capital-intensive nature of their development phase, supported by liquidity of approximately $971 million (source: youtube.com). The company continues to emphasize its mission to transform energy storage with next-generation solid-state lithium-metal batteries designed for higher energy density and faster charging (source: ir.quantumscape.com). Active hiring efforts during this period indicate ongoing internal growth to support manufacturing and engineering scale-up (source: quantumscape.com).
Working There
QuantumScape offers roles primarily in laboratory research, cell engineering, process development, and manufacturing support, centered around battery technology innovation (source: powderkeg.com). Positions such as Cathode Technician involve assembling devices, executing standard operating procedures, monitoring process parameters, and maintaining controlled environments like gloveboxes and dry rooms, reflecting a highly technical and precise work setting (source: powderkeg.com). The company culture combines a startup-like pace with lab-oriented technical work, where employees engage with advanced equipment such as microscopes for sample analysis (source: teamblind.com). Employee reviews indicate a generally positive work-life balance and a recommendation rate of 61%, with some noting the dynamic and evolving nature of the company’s direction (source: glassdoor.com). Job openings are concentrated in San Jose and span engineering, process development, and technician roles, supporting the company’s growth in manufacturing and technology scale-up (source: quantumscape.com).