Title:  SMTS - Manufacturing Process Engineer

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.

Job Summary:

We are hiring a Process Engineer with a strong mechanical background to support our Solid-State Cell Manufacturing operations. This is a floor-based, hands-on role focused on owning and improving manufacturing processes. You will work directly with operators, technicians, and fellow engineers to ensure process stability, troubleshoot issues in real time, and drive operational efficiency.

While your mechanical expertise is a key asset, your core responsibility is to be a process owner — understanding how your line operates, responding to problems as they arise, and continuously improving equipment performance and process output.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as a process owner on the production floor, actively supporting daily operations and responding to real-time production challenges.
• Work closely with operators and technicians to identify, diagnose, and resolve mechanical and process issues impacting throughput, yield, or equipment uptime.
• Lead hands-on troubleshooting and repair efforts related to fixtures, tooling, automation systems, and mechanical components.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on line efficiency, cycle time reduction, scrap minimization, and uptime.
• Support equipment installations, upgrades, and modifications for new process needs or scaling.
• Develop and maintain SOPs, maintenance instructions, and troubleshooting documentation for assigned processes and equipment.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Maintenance, Quality, Automation, R&D) to deliver safe, stable, and scalable processes.
• Prioritize production goals, adjusting focus dynamically based on line needs and production pressure.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.
• 2+ years of hands-on process engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven ability to support high-throughput production processes while resolving mechanical or equipment-related issues in real time.
• Familiarity with troubleshooting mechanical systems such as fixtures, actuators, tooling interfaces, and automated equipment.
• Strong floor presence, communication skills, and ability to lead cross-functional problem-solving efforts.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with semi-automated or fully automated equipment in a production setting.
• Familiarity with preventive maintenance planning, PLC systems, or mechanical integration with control systems.
• Background in battery, electronics, or advanced materials manufacturing is a plus.
• Basic CAD skills and ability to interpret mechanical drawings and tolerances.

Work Environment:

• This is a floor-based, fast-paced production support role — expect to spend the majority of your time working directly with live equipment and operations teams.
• Requires use of PPE and frequent interaction with machinery, tools, and production materials.

Flexibility for shift or off-hours suppor

Compensation & Benefits: Salary range for this role has a range of $158,000 to $205,000, and a final salary will be determined by the candidate's experience and educational background. 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 exciting perks.

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.