Director, R&D Engineering

About the Company

Sila is a next-generation battery materials company on a mission to power the world’s transition to clean energy. They engineer and manufacture groundbreaking battery materials that increase energy density while reducing size and weight to accelerate the mass adoption of electric vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Provide inspirational leadership for mechanical design, equipment, and controls engineers and R&D technicians.
• Attract, hire, onboard, and retain world-class engineers while coaching talent for career growth.
• Contribute technically to system designs including CVD, bulk materials handling, gas delivery, and vacuum systems.
• Review and approve key design process work such as P&ID, HAZID/HAZOPS, and design verification.
• Collaborate with R&D Operations to improve performance metrics, reliability, and uptime.
• Bring operational discipline to an open-ended R&D setting to ensure projects are executed according to plan.

Requirements

• B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical/Controls Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 15 years of post-B.S. work experience.
• Experience in a startup environment.
• Strong mechanical design fundamentals and experience with complex assemblies and CAD software.
• Expertise with lab or industrial automation platforms.
• Programming experience in C, C#, Python, .NET, MATLAB, or IEC 61131 PLC automation preferred.
• Proven track record of building and leading technical teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of clean energy, advanced materials, particulates, or battery technologies.
• Experience in R&D/laboratory settings with high managerial autonomy.