Principal Engineering Technician I, Development

Sila Nanotechnologies · Alameda, CA

Level: Senior
Team: Manufacturing
Degree: Required (or equivalent experience)
Experience asked: 5+ years
Industry: Automotive
Posted: 2 days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A senior manufacturing role at Sila Nanotechnologies (automotive) in Alameda, CA. Sampling, Harvesting & Analytics Routing - Manage run quality data, by tracking and collecting pre/post run samples, packaging & storing intermediate products, and routing samples for analytics.

They ask for: 5+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
Tools it names: 5S, EHS / safety

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of October 26, 2026

Manufacturing Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $112k–$168k.

Median of the low and high ends of 138 live postings that list pay, out of 366 manufacturing engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 365 other live manufacturing postings in California.

Base pay: Not listed in this posting
Experience asked: Typical (5+ years)

Skills these teams ask for most

Tooling 52%
New product launch 49%
Root cause 40%
Automation 36%
CATIA / NX 28%
Machining 27%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for 5S, EHS / safety, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

It asks for 5+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Lifts up to 50 lbs

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Sila Nanotechnologies
We found 2 people at this company and state: 2 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Kate → (free)
3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

This plant: Sila Nanotechnologies in Alameda

9 other open roles at this site · 2 people we found in manufacturing roles at Sila Nanotechnologies.

Staff Engineer, Process Controls · Controls · Senior
Director of Cell Equipment and Manufacturing Engineering · Manufacturing · Director+
Director, Battery Engineering · Manufacturing · Director+
Pilot Production Manager · Production · Manager
Staff Instrumentation & Controls Engineer, Capital Projects · Controls · Senior
Quality Technician (Contractor) · Quality · Technician

All 10 roles at Sila Nanotechnologies →

Full description from Sila NanotechnologiesAs posted on their careers site.Show

and Duties

◆Development Reactor Operation - Manage & execute test runs on pilot scale reactors by prepping inputs, loading/unloading reactors, starting & monitoring test runs, and troubleshooting run faults.
◆Sampling, Harvesting & Analytics Routing - Manage run quality data, by tracking and collecting pre/post run samples, packaging & storing intermediate products, and routing samples for analytics
◆Administration & Inventory Control - Coordinate consistent operation of development reactors by owning data entry/labeling of test runs, accurate labeling of input/out materials, managing inventory (raw materials, consumables, spares, PPE, etc)
◆Tool Maintenance - Partner with Maintenance & Development teams to develop SOPs & schedule preventative maintenance for development reactors and supporting systems (powder hoods, dust handling systems, abatement system, etc)
◆Operational Excellence & Training - Author and refine SOPs related for development reactors & associated subsystems, train & check off operators, drive 5S organization for development areas.

Knowledge and Skill

Requirements

✓High school diploma, GED, or AS/technical degree in an engineering or technical discipline (mechanical, chemical, industrial technology, or equivalent military training).
✓5+ years of experience working as an operations technician, lab technician, chemical process operator, or pilot plant technician in a hardware, semiconductor, battery, chemical, or advanced manufacturing environment.
✓Demonstrated comfort using basic hand tools, torque wrenches, impact drivers, etc. Ability to train peers on proper use of tools and operating procedures.
✓Demonstrated experience working safely with hazardous materials, pyrophoric/flammable specialty gases, or fine powders in compliance with OSHA and site E&HS guidelines.
✓Proven track record of following, executing, and improving rigorous SOPs and standard work instructions without taking unauthorized shortcuts.
✓Proficiency with digital data entry and inventory systems and basic digital collaboration tools (Google Workspace / MS Office).
✓Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting operational status updates to engineering teams and enthusiastic about teaching/cross-training team members. Optimization mindset, open to collecting and giving feedback towards driving system improvements.

Show full description ↓

About Us

We are Sila, a next-generation battery materials company. Our mission is to power the world’s transition to clean energy. To create this future, our team is building a better lithium-ion battery from the inside out today. We engineer and manufacture ground-breaking battery materials that significantly increase the energy density of batteries, while reducing their size and weight. The result? Smaller more powerful batteries that can unlock innovation in consumer devices and accelerate the mass adoption of electric cars to eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels. We're tackling one of the biggest challenges of our time every day, and together we're redefining what's possible. Are you ready to be a part of a team committed to changing the world?

You are a hands-on Operations Technician who supports Sila’s R&D teams in development & operation of pilot scale tool sets. This role will facilitate rapid technology development and operationalization by balancing the flexibility needed for development and the rigor needed for success in production environments. You will be the bridge between R&D, Operations, & Maintenance on Sila’s manufacturing/pilot floor; running toward challenges with a high standard of safety, an eye for procedural detail, and a continuous-improvement mindset

Physical Demand and Working Conditions

•Wear personal protective equipment including, but not limited to, a lab coat, gloves, safety glasses, and steel toe safety shoes
•Ability to stand/walk on the pilot plant floor for extended periods, wear full respiratory and protective gear when required, and safely lift/move loads up to 40–50 lbs.
•Reach low shelves or items on the floor
•Precise and repetitive handling of a range of material quantities
•Operate a computer and other office equipment, such as a laptop, copier/printer, etc in a fixed location

Monday - Friday, 9am - 6pm

Working at Sila