Senior Battery Process Quality Engineer

About Us

Zēlos Energy is committed to building the next generation of green batteries. Our patented zinc-based rechargeable alkaline technology provides safe, economical, and sustainable solutions for both consumer and industrial uses. Products in development include deep cycle storage batteries, lead-acid replacement, and low-cost cylindrical formats – for applications such as battery backup units (BBU) in data centers, uninterruptible power supply (UPS), battery energy storage systems (BESS) for wind and solar, and marine uses.

Our non-toxic zinc chemistry avoids the fire, safety, and supply chain risks of lead-acid and lithium-ion. We are headquartered in Silicon Valley, and our team has more than 100 years of combined scientific and entrepreneurial experience. In 2020, we were awarded a competitively-selected multi-year $1.8 million California Energy Commission grant for R&D scale-up in alternatives to Li-ion.

Safer, Smarter, Stronger: Alkaline Battery Technology

A Genuine Non-DG Battery Designed for Critical Applications

Job Description

Zēlos Energy develops next-generation rechargeable zinc-based battery technology for critical applications including BBU, BESS, and UPS systems.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Battery Process Quality Engineer to lead quality systems, material validation, and process control across our battery and materials manufacturing operations. As an early member of the technical team, you will develop test methods, design data systems, establish quality standards, and work hands-on with both internal teams and contract manufacturers to ensure our materials and processes meet rigorous performance targets. In this role, you will define quality strategy, oversee test development, drive data integrity, manage external manufacturing quality, and handle similar tasks and projects. This position requires deep technical expertise in battery or advanced materials processes, strong leadership skills, and the ability to influence cross-functional teams and external partners.

This is a highly technical and highly collaborative role for someone who enjoys creating structure in fast-moving environments, taking ownership, and making high-impact decisions that shape the company’s manufacturing foundation.

This is a full-time, on-site position at our lab in San Leandro, California, in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area. Candidates must be fully authorized to work for any employer in the US; we are not able to sponsor or take over visas for this role.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to innovative technology in a collaborative startup environment.

(Candidates should only apply for openings through official job posts on trusted websites. We will never ask for payment from any candidate as part of the recruiting process.)

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

Build Quality Processes & Test Infrastructure

- Develop and implement test methods for material and process properties across internal labs and external manufacturing partners.

- Lead the creation of test specifications, acceptance criteria, validation methods, and quality control plans that directly support product requirements and reliability targets.

- Set up initial workflows, documentation, and traceability frameworks to support scaling.

- Serve as the primary technical authority for material property evaluation and process capability across the manufacturing chain.

Develop and Lead the Quality Team

- Mentor and work closely with a team including engineers and lab technicians.

- Set priorities, guide daily activities, and ensure high-quality execution of testing, analysis, and process verification tasks.

- Build a strong, hands-on quality culture across the organization.

Data Systems & Analytics (Startup-Friendly)

- Design lightweight but scalable data collection and analysis processes—using pragmatic tools initially, with a path toward automation as we grow.

- Ensure completeness, accuracy, and traceability of material and process data.

- Drive root cause investigations, trend analysis, and data-driven decision-making.

- Lead regular reviews of quality data and drive systemic corrective actions.

Contract Manufacturer & Supplier Interface

- Act as the quality lead for contract manufacturers and key material suppliers.

- Establish quality expectations with contract manufacturers and suppliers.

- Collaborate closely with external partners to ensure adherence to process controls, test requirements, and material specifications.

- Conduct on-site visits, lead audits, implement corrective actions, and build long-term quality relationships.

Cross-Functional Execution in a Startup Environment

- Work directly with the internal technical team and leadership to rapidly iterate and refine processes.

- Support scale-up activities, pilot runs, early production trials, and transfer-to-manufacturing efforts.

- Support new product introduction, pilot builds, ramp-up activities, and process transfer to contract manufacturers.

- Ensure that processes are defined, documented, and implemented consistently across all production environments.

Qualifications

Required

- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or similar field.

- 5+ years in quality, process engineering, materials characterization, or battery manufacturing.

- Hands-on experience building or improving systems in ambiguous, fast-paced environments.

- Hands-on experience with lithium-ion or alkaline battery manufacturing, electrode fabrication, or advanced materials processing.

- Proven experience working with contract manufacturers and suppliers in a high-precision production environment.

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, self-motivated, and comfortable working both independently and cross-functionally in a small team, including handling tasks outside of the job description on occasion as needed.

- Willing to travel both domestically and internationally (e.g. Europe, Asia) - including ability to swiftly obtain required travel documents - on short notice and for itineraries of varying duration.

Preferred

- Experience launching new lines, processes, or factories.

- Background in lithium-ion, alkaline, or other electrochemical system manufacturing.

- Experience deploying practical data systems (MES, SQL, Python, or similar).

- Demonstrated cross-cultural communication skills and sensitivity to diverse cultural norms and practices

- Knowledge of foreign languages (Chinese, Japanese) is a plus.

Benefits

We offer excellent benefits including health insurance, dental insurance, and vision insurance, 401(k), stock options, paid holidays, and unlimited PTO.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $140,000.00 - $165,000.00 per year

Benefits:

- 401(k)

- 401(k) matching

- Dental insurance

- Employee assistance program

- Flexible spending account

- Health insurance

- Life insurance

- Paid time off

- Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

- Are you fully authorized to work for any employer in the US? (We are not able to sponsor or take over visas for this role.)

- The starting salary for this role is $140K to $165K. Does this work for you?

Location:

- San Leandro, CA 94577 (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

- San Leandro, CA 94577 (Required)

Work Location: In person