Title:  Yield Improvement Engineer, PMTS

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.

About the team: The Manufacturing and Yield team is dedicated to integrating cutting-edge manufacturing processes and delivering high-quality products. Our team leads the implementation of advanced processes and equipment on the production line, working collaboratively across engineering, development, automation, and quality groups. We continuously identify opportunities for improvement and drive initiatives to meet ambitious targets for yield, production volume, and product quality. By fostering a culture of innovation and teamwork, we ensure our manufacturing operations remain at the forefront of industry standards.

What we need: As the Yield Improvement Lead for the cell manufacturing team, you will be responsible for driving continuous improvement in manufacturing yield and process efficiency. You’ll be hands-on with the build line, collaborating closely with process engineers, line managers, automation, process development, failure analysis and process quality teams. Your role is both technical and leadership-focused, requiring strong data analysis skills, excellent communication skills, deep battery expertise, and the ability to unite cross-functional groups to deliver impactful changes.

What You’ll do:

• Identify and Prioritize Ongoing Improvement Opportunities: Analyze production data and process trends while working closely with process engineers/production team to pinpoint areas for yield and quality improvement. Proactively seek out inefficiencies and opportunities for optimization.
• Lead Cross-Functional Implementation: Work with process engineers, line managers, automation, process development, failure analysis and/or process quality teams to design, test, and implement solutions. Champion change management and drive consensus for process, spec and equipment updates.
• Hands-On Process Ownership: Engage directly with the build line, equipment, and operators to understand real-world challenges, validate improvements, and ensure robust, scalable solutions.
• Facilitate Structured Problem-Solving: Lead root cause investigations (RCAs), corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs), and structured problem-solving sessions, ensuring actions are implemented and tracked across teams.
• Mentor and Manage: Lead and develop process engineers, setting clear goals, supporting professional growth, and fostering a collaborative, improvement-focused team culture.
• Knowledge Integration: Absorb and apply information from raw material to product level, ensuring improvements are technically sound and aligned with product requirements.
• Relationship Building: Foster strong working relationships across teams, encouraging collaboration, knowledge sharing, and alignment on improvement initiatives.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Use advanced analytics (Python, SQL, JMP, Minitab, etc.) to support root cause analysis, monitor KPIs, and report results. Build dashboards, tools, and reports that empower operators and engineers to make faster, more informed decisions.
• Documentation and Communication: Maintain clear records of changes, SOPs, and improvement projects; communicate progress and results to stakeholders.

Skills You’ll need:

• Bachelor’s degree + 10 yrs of experience or Master’s degree in 7+ yrs of experience with an educational background in Chemical, Mechanical, Controls, Physics, Industrial Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.
• 5+ years’ experience in solid-state, lithium-ion, sodium-ion related battery field.
• Proven track record of leading yield/process improvement projects in a manufacturing environment or transferable skills to do so.
• Deep technical knowledge of battery materials and processes (solid-state, lithium/sodium-ion, etc.).
• Strong data analysis and visualization skills; experience with manufacturing data platforms.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and relationship-building abilities.
• Comfortable working hands-on in a fast-paced, dynamic production environment.
• Experience managing or mentoring engineers and driving cross-functional initiatives.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, DOE methodologies preferred.

ONSITE: This position is required to work onsite 5 days per week to meet the minimum essential duties and requirements of this position.  As an on-site R&D and manufacturing operations organization, in-person face to face interaction is essential to building authentic relationships, trust, teamwork, and collaboration. 

Compensation & Benefits: Expected salary range for this role is from $160,700 to $217,000, 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 benefits. 

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.