SMTS, Device Test and Characterization Engineer at QuantumScape

Job 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 Quality & Reliability organization drives end-to-end quality ownership from fab process to product to customer. Within this organization team owns cell-to-product electrical test, characterization, qualification, and reliability - partnering closely with Design, Process, Manufacturing, and Quality Systems to ensure products meet performance, reliability, and customer requirements before they ship. The team prides itself on hands-on rigor, data-driven decision making, and catching problems early through disciplined test and screening strategy. What we need: The Product Engineering, Quality and Reliability team is seeking a Senior Member of Technical Staff (SMTS), Device Test and Characterization Engineer to own cell-to-product electrical test, characterization, qualification, and validation. You will design and execute electrical tests, develop stress and screening protocols to drive down DPPM, and build algorithms and statistical models that improve test coverage and predictive power. This is a new role, and we’re looking for someone who is hands-on, curious, and ready to help define how test and characterization scale from cell to product as QuantumScape moves towards high-volume production. If you like solving hard technical problems, building test capability from the ground up, and validating performance against real product and customer requirements, we’d like to hear from you. As an SMTS, Device Test and Characterization Engineer, you will have the ability to shape how QuantumScape tests, qualifies, and validates its products from cell through product level - directly influencing DPPM, AFR, reliability, and the pace at which new designs move from prototype to production. What You’ll do: • Design, execute, and interpret electrical tests spanning cell, module, and product-level assemblies (e.g., capacity, impedance, rate performance, cycle life testing) to characterize performance across the full build hierarchy and product lifecycle • Develop new tests, characterization methods, and test protocols on electrical test equipment in the test labs, extending capability and coverage • Lead root-cause analysis on electrical failures at any level of the hierarchy - cell, module, or product - connecting test data to physical and process root causes in partnership with process, materials, design, and systems engineering • Own quality (Qual) and reliability (Rel) test plans spanning cell through product level for new designs and process changes, including definition of pass/fail criteria, sample sizing, and test-to-failure/margin studies • Drive down defective parts per million (DPPM) across the build hierarchy by identifying failure modes, building detection screens, and closing the loop with corrective actions and process countermeasures • Develop and validate stress tests and screening protocols - at cell and product level - that accelerate latent-defect detection without introducing false rejects, and develop algorithms and statistical models to improve test coverage, throughput, and predictive power • Validate cell and product performance against specifications and customer requirements, and support the transition from prototype to production test flows • Partner with systems, module, and pack engineering teams to align qualification and test strategy end-to-end; specify and help procure test equipment, and build dashboards to track test results, yield, and reliability trends across the build hierarchy Skills You’ll Need: • MS degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related field, with 3+ years of relevant experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience); advanced degree (PhD) may offset years of experience • Strong hands-on experience with electrical testing across cell, module, and/or product/pack-level assemblies (battery cells, battery systems, semiconductor devices, or similar), including test equipment specification and data acquisition • Demonstrated experience with reliability engineering methods: qualification testing, accelerated stress testing (HALT/HAST-type approaches), failure analysis, and DPPM reduction, ideally applied at more than one level of a product’s build hierarchy • Proficiency in statistical analysis and scripting (e.g., Python, MATLAB, or R) for building test algorithms, screens, and degradation models • Working knowledge of DOE, SPC, and root-cause methodologies (e.g., 8D, fishbone/Ishikawa, FMEA) • Ability to work cross-functionally with process, product, design, systems, and quality engineering teams in a fast-paced environment • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical results to varied audiences Nice to have: • Experience with battery-specific test techniques (e.g. EIS, DCIR, cycling protocols) • Experience with module- or pack-level test and validation (thermal, mechanical, electrical tests) Physical requirements: • Work may have to be performed in a dry room • 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 $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.

Requirements

Must-haves

Develop new tests, characterization methods, and test protocols on electrical test equipment in the test labs, extending capability and coverage
Own quality (Qual) and reliability (Rel) test plans spanning cell through product level for new designs and process changes, including definition of pass/fail criteria, sample sizing, and test-to-failure/margin studies
Drive down defective parts per million (DPPM) across the build hierarchy by identifying failure modes, building detection screens, and closing the loop with corrective actions and process countermeasures
Validate cell and product performance against specifications and customer requirements, and support the transition from prototype to production test flows
Proficiency in statistical analysis and scripting (e.g., Python, MATLAB, or R) for building test algorithms, screens, and degradation models
Working knowledge of DOE, SPC, and root-cause methodologies (e.g., 8D, fishbone/Ishikawa, FMEA)
Ability to work cross-functionally with process, product, design, systems, and quality engineering teams in a fast-paced environment
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical results to varied audiences
Work may have to be performed in a dry room
Sitting or standing for extended periods of time
Reaching and twisting motions with hands
Lifting up to 25 lbs.

Nice-to-haves

Experience with battery-specific test techniques (e.g. EIS, DCIR, cycling protocols)
Experience with module- or pack-level test and validation (thermal, mechanical, electrical tests)

Application prep

Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.

Keywords to mirror

python

Platform: successfactors
Effort: medium