Senior Equipment Engineer

Position Summary

Blue Current is seeking a Senior Equipment Engineer to join the Technical Operations team, supporting solid-state battery R&D and prototyping operations. This role is responsible for the reliable operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of key R&D lab equipment, ensuring tools are available, well-documented, and capable of supporting evolving process requirements. The Senior Equipment Engineer will work cross-functionally with process engineers, technicians, and researchers to quickly resolve equipment issues and implement practical design improvements. This is a high-impact, hands-on role at the intersection of mechanical engineering and lab operations in a fast-paced development environment. 

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Act as the primary engineering owner for assigned battery R&D equipment (e.g., gloveboxes, pumps, slurry mixers, film coaters, hydraulic presses, cell assembly tools, etc.) 
• Provide direct, hands-on mechanical engineering support to troubleshoot and resolve equipment issues quickly and minimize lab downtime 
• Lead the development of preventive maintenance plans and strategies to ensure equipment performance and longevity 
• Partner with vendors and internal teams to modify or develop tools to meet evolving process requirements 
• Establish and maintain working relationships with external vendors for troubleshooting and repair of specialized equipment and components 
• Support specification, evaluation, and procurement of new R&D process equipment 
• Develop and maintain SOPs, work instructions, and equipment documentation for technicians 
• Provide technical training and guidance to technicians on equipment operation, care, and troubleshooting 
• Manage work orders, spare parts inventory, and maintenance tracking for equipment performance 
• Communicate effectively with R&D scientists, engineers, and technicians to align on priorities and execution 
• Identify opportunities to improve safety, uptime, and reliability of lab equipment and operations 
• Other duties as assigned, consistent with the scope and level of this position 

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or related field 

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, equipment engineering, or manufacturing engineering in a relevant field (e.g., batteries, semiconductors, coatings, thin films) 
• Demonstrated ownership of equipment reliability, maintenance, and troubleshooting 
• Experience with industrial or lab process equipment such as gloveboxes, mixers, pumps, motors, and vacuum systems 

Skills & Knowledge

• Experience with fabrication equipment such as coating, mixing, calendering, or similar 
• Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills 
• Ability to define equipment requirements and translate process needs into technical specifications 
• Strong collaboration and communication skills across engineering and operations teams 
• Familiarity with safety practices, including chemical handling and engineering controls 

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with battery fabrication equipment 
• Experience in R&D, pilot line, or early-stage manufacturing environments 

Core Values — Minimum Qualifications

Safety & Security First For employees, customers, and intellectual property

Demonstrated commitment to maintaining a safe and secure work environment, including adherence to workplace safety protocols, data privacy standards, and confidentiality requirements. Proven ability to identify and appropriately escalate potential risks to personnel, customers, or sensitive information.

Trust & Respect Treat everyone with honesty, dignity, and sensitivity. Embrace different perspectives. Be humble.

Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with individuals of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and working styles. Track record of maintaining professionalism, integrity, and discretion in all workplace interactions.

Ownership & Accountability Take responsibility and action. Set goals and deliver. Don't wait for others.

Demonstrated ability to independently prioritize, execute, and follow through on responsibilities with minimal supervision. Proven track record of setting measurable goals, meeting deadlines, and taking initiative to resolve challenges proactively.

Technical Excellence Always strive for the best solution possible.

Demonstrated commitment to quality and continuous improvement in delivering work product, solutions, and outcomes within area of expertise. Ability to evaluate options critically and apply sound judgment to identify the most effective and scalable solution.

Learn & Be Curious Think outside the box. Always learning.

Demonstrated ability to quickly acquire new skills, tools, or domain knowledge in response to evolving business needs. Proven track record of applying creative or unconventional thinking to solve problems.

Be Resourceful Be hungry, frugal, and flexible. Use what you have. Find a way.

Demonstrated ability to deliver results in resource-constrained environments by maximizing existing tools, processes, and partnerships. Proven ability to adapt and find effective solutions in ambiguous or rapidly changing situations.