Staff R&D Scientist

Are you ready to rise to the challenge of climate change with the team that will deliver? Form Energy is a U.S. technology and manufacturing company that is developing and commercializing pioneering energy storage technologies to enable the electric grid to run on 100% renewable energy, every day of the year.

Supported by leading investors such as Breakthrough Energy Ventures, ArcelorMittal, TPG Rise, MIT’s The Engine, and others, we share a common belief that low-cost, multi-day energy storage is the key to enable tomorrow’s zero carbon electric grid. Driven by our core values of humanity, excellence, and creativity, we are deeply motivated and inspired to create a better world. We need talented, hardworking individuals who share our goal of tackling the challenge of climate change. Do you want to work with us today to build a better tomorrow? 

Role Description

We are looking for a Staff R&D Scientist with hands-on experience with high-temperature electrochemical technology development. Your electrochemical problem solving experience can be from solid oxide fuel cells, solid oxide electrolysis cells, reversible solid oxide cells, molten carbonate fuel cells, direct carbon fuel cells, or related areas and will be used for a novel  long duration energy storage application.

In the role of Staff R&D Engineer, you will lead the review, planning, preparation, fabrication, characterization, and testing of cutting-edge technologies, materials, and components essential to advancing Form Energy's high-temperature electrochemical technologies. As a senior member of our team, your responsibilities will extend to the optimization of cell fabrication processes, comprehensive microstructural analysis, and multifaceted testing, including mechanical, chemical, and electrochemical characterization. Concurrently, you will assume leadership of a dynamic team comprising scientists and engineers, charting a course for the development of early-stage high-temperature technologies with a strategic vision geared toward future productization at Form Energy. This role presents a thrilling opportunity for you to make direct, daily contributions to substantial strategic advancements within our organization.

What You'll Do:

• Assess and evaluate diverse technology and product platforms for the advancement of high-temperature electrochemical systems.

• Lead a small team of materials scientists, guiding them in the development of high-performance battery technology utilizing high-temperature materials and technologies.

• Plan and execute new technology or product development projects and tasks, with a particular focus on material characterization, cell fabrication, microstructure control, and electrochemical characterization.

• Develop and optimize fabrication processes spanning from materials to cells and stacks, ensuring high battery performance and reliability for high-temperature electrochemical technology.

• Optimize fabrication processes related to electrodes, electrolytes, and cells, utilizing ceramic powder processing and wet processes.

• Drive new material development efforts aimed at optimizing porous microstructures and preventing microstructural changes and defects during redox cycling.

• Interpret data from ex-situ characterization techniques such as SEM, EDS, ICP, XRD, BET, TGA, and DSC. Collaborate with specialists to expedite electrode development.

What You'll Bring:

• Ph.D. or Master’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Electrochemical Engineering, Physics, or related fields.

• 5+ years of industry experience in high-temperature electrochemical technologies, including solid oxide fuel cells, solid oxide electrolysis cells, reversible solid oxide cells, molten carbonate fuel cells, direct carbon fuel cells, or related areas.

• Proficiency in optimizing ceramic powder processing, encompassing activities such as slurry/paste formation, tap casting, screen printing, dip coating, spray coating, binder burning-out, sintering, etc., specifically for high-temperature electrochemical technologies.

• Direct involvement in the development and assessment of porous microstructures in metals, ceramics, or cermet materials, particularly for applications in fuel cells, electrolysis cells, batteries, and hydrogen storage.

• Proven excellence in materials characterization techniques, including mechanical, physical, chemical, and microstructural analyses, as well as electrochemical characterization techniques like EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy), CV (Cyclic Voltammetry), IV (I-V curves), etc.

• Demonstrated ability to lead teams or projects and collaborate effectively across different functions. Strong communication skills are essential.

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Besides joining a community of people working to make the world better, Form Energy commits to you equitable compensation, stock options, and offers a generous benefits package to make sure you have the support you need to thrive.

We cover 100% of employee premiums and 80% of dependent premiums for medical, dental, and vision insurance for full time employees. We offer a flexible Paid Time Off program and every employee, regardless of gender identity or expression, is eligible for 12 weeks of paid parental bonding leave. A full listing of our benefits is available on our careers page. 

At Form Energy, we are working toward a 100% renewable energy future for everyone in the world. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our employees and are seeking to build a team that reflects the diversity of the people we hope to serve with our revolutionary products. Form Energy is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.