Principal Engineer

ION Storage Systems offers solid-state battery solutions that prioritize performance, safety, and durability. Focusing on a variety of portable and stationary energy storage applications, ION's patented, three-dimensional ceramics design offers a sustainable approach to next-generation energy storage. Built on a scalable, modular ceramic structure, ION's batteries are ready to meet the demands of an increasingly electrified world. We are backed by leading venture capital firms including Alsop Louie Partners, Clear Creek Investments, VoLo Earth Ventures, and Toyota Ventures. We offer an inclusive environment with opportunities for growth and believe that a thriving workspace leads to a thriving company. We hope you will contact us to learn more and to be a part of our diverse, collaborative team! As part of our Cell Engineering group, you'll use your experience, leadership and technical creativity towards the development and optimization of first-of-its-kind prototyping line for ION's solid state cells and anodes. Because this is a prototype line rather than a mature production system, you'll be working on equipment and processes as we refine them toward volume production and new commercial products. You'll collaborate with cell, mechanical, equipment and automation engineers and technicians to drive improvements for process speed, yield, and reliability. As a Principal Engineer, you'll take ownership of significant workstreams - leading equipment builds, troubleshooting efforts, and process improvements end-to-end - while mentoring other engineers and raising the technical bar across the team. **Responsibilities:** Work collaboratively with the team to support the existing prototype line, identifying the key levers to drive optimal process reliability, quality, and uptime Lead root-cause investigations for difficult or ambiguous equipment and process failures, and drive corrective/preventive actions to closure. Use issues as opportunities for continuous improvement. Own the design, build, and commissioning of new equipment and fixtures from concept through installation, working across mechanical, electrical, and controls disciplines Translate process requirements into robust hardware and automation specifications Mentor and provide technical guidance to other engineers and technicians on the team; review designs and troubleshooting approaches Partner with process/cell engineers to understand upstream process needs and downstream implications of equipment design choices Contribute to engineering standards and documentation practices appropriate for a scaling organization Independently manage priorities across multiple ongoing projects with minimal oversight **Experience and Qualifications:** Strong foundation of hands-on experience as an engineer Experience building first-of-its-kind hardware and software for automated systems Strong mechanical design fundamentals. Experience in 3D CAD for design of equipment, tooling, fixtures and assembly aids. B.Eng. M.Eng, B.Sc. M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/Controls Engineering, Mechatronics or a related discipline. 10+ years of work experience (post B.S.) **Preferred:** Experience in cell assembly, semiconductor, or related field Experience standing up a pilot or prototype line from an early stage Experience working directly with equipment vendors on custom or first-of-a-kind tooling **Physical Demands and Working Conditions**: Work onsite at ION's Beltsville, MD facility; this is a hands-on and collaborative role requiring regular presence Wear personal protective equipment including, but not limited to, a lab coat, gloves, safety glasses, and safety-toe shoes Ability to stand, bend, and move around equipment and lab benches for extended periods Department: Cell Engineering **Location:** Beltsville, MD **Reports to:** Liz Santori (SVP, Cell Engineering) **Benefits:** In addition to a competitive salary, we offer the following company benefits: Medical, dental, vision, disa…