Principal Mechanical Engineer

Job Description

Job 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?

Who You Are

Sila's Equipment Engineering team in Alameda is seeking a highly motivated Mechanical Engineer to lead the design of manufacturing-scale reactors, bridging the gap between R&D concepts and capital project execution. This role focuses on the equipment development and design lifecycle for Sila's best-in-class Silicon Carbon anode manufacturing technology.

The ideal candidate combines strong analytical, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills with practical industrial experience and a commitment to safety and functional design. You will work cross-functionally to prioritize manufacturability, operability, reliability, and maintainability of our next-generation equipment, enabling the standardized, scalable deployment of multiple reactor systems that meet business objectives. This role offers opportunities to lead impactful projects, solve technical problems, and focus on solutions that bridge the gap between R&D and mass production.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Lead design initiatives, prioritizing simplicity and challenging unnecessary requirements for efficient, streamlined engineering.
• Lead mechanical design and development tasks for manufacturing-scale reactors, bridging R&D concepts to capital project execution.
• Provide technical oversight and perform high-fidelity thermal, fluid, and structural modeling (FEA) to validate reactor performance and drive design decisions.
• Develop detailed engineering packages, including layouts, core IP drawings, equipment data sheets, and specifications.
• Drive safety and compliance by applying safety-by-design principles and actively supporting PSM programs (PHA, HAZOP, MOC) and Mechanical Integrity initiatives.
• Serve as a technical lead for cross-functional project teams and managing the end-to-end project lifecycle, including vendor/fabricator coordination, factory acceptance testing (FAT), and field installation verification.
• Maintain accurate, controlled, and compliant engineering documentation throughout the project lifecycle.
• Mentor and coach junior engineering staff, fostering technical growth and maintaining high standards for design documentation, engineering rigor, and safety best practices.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements 

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.
• 10+ years of mechanical design experience in industrial equipment environments with a focus on large-scale manufacturing.
• Proficiency in mechanical design software (e.g., SolidWorks, Fusion 360, AutoCAD) and development of P&IDs and fabrication packages.
• Strong technical expertise in reactor systems, thermal/fluid equipment, and fabrication methods. Familiarity with designing for high-temperature environments is highly desirable.
• Analytical proficiency in FEA analysis, thermal modeling, and precision tolerancing for reactor equipment.
• Working knowledge of mechanical codes, industrial regulations, and Process Safety Management (PSM) environments.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Wear personal protective equipment including, but not limited to, a lab coat, gloves, safety glasses, and steel toe safety shoes
• Move items up to 50 lbs with the assistance of lift equipment and carts
• Move long distances (such as from building to building) and be stationary for extended periods of time
• Reach low shelves or items on the floor
• Climb stairs or over containment walls
• Operate a computer and other office equipment, such as a laptop, copier/printer, etc in a fixed location
• Travel up to 15%

 

The starting base pay for this role is between $172,000 and $218,000 at the time of posting. The actual base pay depends on many factors, such as education, experience, and skills. Base pay is only one part of Sila's competitive Total Rewards package that can include benefits, perks, equity, and bonuses. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. #LI-FM1 #LI-Onsite

Working at Sila

We believe that building a diverse team at Sila helps us amplify our individual talents. We are an equal opportunity employer and committed to creating an inclusive environment where good ideas are free to come from anyone. We are proud to celebrate diversity and all qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, national origin, or any other status protected by law.