Factorial Energy is seeking an Anode/SE Senior Electrode Process Engineer to join our team in our Cheonan, South Korea location. This person will be responsible for the wet slurry coating process and equipment development for anode and sulfide-based solid electrolyte (SE) applications. We leverage cutting-edge wet electrode manufacturing to revolutionize all-solid-state battery performance, cost, and scalability. This role requires experience in close cooperation with internal teams and external partners. The ideal candidate will be involved from the beginning of process optimization for R&D projects, pilot line scale-up, and through to low/high-volume production. The candidate must demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills to facilitate efficient communication between various departments/vendors.
• Lead R&D efforts to design, optimize, and scale wet slurry coating processes for ASSB anode and sulfide SE applications
• Develop novel slurry formulations and coating strategies to enhance electrode-electrolyte interfacial compatibility, ionic transport efficiency, and cycling stability
• Establish critical process parameters (e.g., slurry dispersion, viscosity control, coating speed, drying profiles) to meet all-solid-state battery performance specifications
• Address key wet coating challenges specific to ASSB: solvent selection, slurry sedimentation, SE-solvent compatibility, and interfacial side reaction control
• Identify root causes of wet coating defects (e.g., pinholes, thickness non-uniformity, cracks, lithium dendrite penetration) and implement corrective actions
• Utilize statistical analysis (SPC, DOE) to drive yield improvements and reduce process variability
• Collaborate with PD/QA to define testing protocols and quality standards for wet-processed all-solid-state electrodes
• Optimize manufacturing workflows to increase throughput and reduce unit production costs
• Design experiments to validate process scalability from lab to pilot line to mass production
• Troubleshoot equipment/process issues to minimize downtime
• Partner with equipment vendors to conceptualize, prototype, and validate next-gen wet coating electrode machinery
• Define technical specifications for new equipment (e.g., vacuum-integrated drying systems, solvent recovery units)
• Drive innovation in automation, in-line monitoring, and Industry 4.0 integration
• 3+ years of hands-on experience in wet electrode coating manufacturing for lithium-ion batteries, sulfide electrolyte system experience highly preferred
• Deep knowledge of wet process steps: slurry preparation (dispersion, deaeration), precision coating (doctor blade/slot-die), vacuum drying, calendering, and lamination
• Proficiency in material characterization (SEM, XRD, adhesion testing) and data analysis tools (JMP, Minitab)
• Mastery of DOE, SPC, FMEA, and Six Sigma methodologies
• Experience scaling processes from R&D to high-volume production
• Proven ability to collaborate with equipment suppliers on custom solutions
• Familiarity with ASSB-specific process challenges (moisture control, interfacial stability, mechanical pressure sensitivity)
• Master's in Chemical/Materials/Mechanical Engineering or related field
• Strong cross-functional skills to work with R&D, production, and supply chain teams
• Hands-on experience with sulfide solid electrolyte systems or halide electrolyte systems
• In-depth understanding of binder systems (PVDF, CMC/SBR) and conductive additives behavior in wet coating processes