Electrode Process Engineer - 3C Battery

Factorial Energy is seeking an Electrode Process Engineer to join our team in our Cheonan, South Korea location. This person will be responsible for the development, optimization, and scale-up of anode and cathode electrode manufacturing processes for our Silicon Power Cell line, owning the full electrode process chain from slurry mixing and coating through calendaring and slitting. The ideal candidate brings deep hands-on expertise in wet electrode processes and slurry rheology and is comfortable translating lab-scale breakthroughs into scalable, high-yield manufacturing processes in a fast-moving environment. • Lead development and optimization of anode and cathode electrode processes for Si-based power cells, including slurry mixing, slot-die coating, drying, calendaring, and slitting • Define and maintain process windows for slurry rheology, coating weight, thickness uniformity, calendaring density, and adhesion strength • Establish and maintain SOPs, PFMEA, and Control Plans for all electrode process steps, defining CTQs and process parameters • Develop electrode formulation strategies to accommodate silicon anode expansion/contraction behavior while maintaining coating stability and adhesion • Design and optimize high-solid slurry mixing sequences, dispersion conditions, and deaeration protocols for both anode (Si/C) and cathode (NCM/NCA) systems • Control slurry rheology to ensure coating stability, minimize defects (pinholes, streaks, edge beading), and achieve thickness uniformity • Optimize slot-die coating parameters including coating speed, gap, pump rate, and drying profile • Develop process-structure-performance correlations linking slurry properties and coating conditions to electrode quality and cell performance • Define calendaring conditions to achieve target porosity and density while minimizing spring back and cracking risk for high-Si electrodes • Optimize slitting conditions to minimize burr generation, edge defects, and web breakage • Lead electrode process transfer from lab/pilot scale to new line, including process condition setting, trial runs, and ramp-up support • Participate in NPI stage-gate reviews (EVT/DVT/PVT/MP) and ensure electrode process readiness at each phase • Support FAT/SAT and equipment qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) for coating, calendaring, and slitting equipment • Apply DOE, SPC, and FMEA methodologies to identify root causes of electrode defects and drive yield improvement • Partner with QA/QE to define incoming material inspection criteria and electrode quality standards • Work closely with R&D, cell design, equipment, and production teams to align electrode process requirements with cell performance targets

• Have 3+ years of hands-on experience in lithium-ion electrode process development or manufacturing • Have direct experience with anode or cathode wet electrode processes (mixing, coating, calendering) • Have led or substantially contributed to at least one full NPI or mass production ramp-up project • Have deep understanding of slurry rheology, slot-die coating physics, and drying/calendering process fundamentals • Have experience with silicon anode electrode processes or high-solid slurry systems preferred • Are familiar with process qualification frameworks (PFMEA, Control Plan, SOP) • Are proficient in DOE, SPC, and data analysis tools (Python, MATLAB, JMP, or Minitab) • Have experience with material characterization methods (SEM, adhesion testing, viscosity/rheology measurement) • Hold a Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or related field; advanced degree preferred • Have experience with silicon anode (Si/C composite) electrode development or high-Si loading process challenges (preferred) • Have CFD or FEM-based coating/mixing process modeling experience (preferred) • Are familiar with IATF 16949 or automotive quality frameworks (preferred)