Senior Coating Engineer

Senior Coating Engineer

Location: Ithaca, NY

Job Type: Full-Time & In-Person

Ecolectro develops specialty polymers and electrolytic cells for green hydrogen production, fuel cell technology, and electrolyzers. Our breakthrough alkaline exchange materials exhibit high ionic conductivity and exceptionally high chemical stability. These desirable characteristics reduce device costs and enable scalable green hydrogen, promoting access to clean energy and economically sustainable fuels.

We have an opening for a motivated engineer or scientist with industrial coating experience to join our expanding team. The primary focus of this role is improving membrane fabrication methodologies and leading the installation and operation of a roll-to-roll coating system. This position supports the research and development of custom polymer electrolyte membranes that are incorporated into electrochemical devices.

Responsibilities:

• Optimize membrane fabrication methods to improve electrolytic device performance, durability, and cost effectiveness.
• Lead the installation and operations of a roll-to-roll coating system.
• Troubleshoot process, product, quality, and safety issues in R2R coated membranes to achieve long term solutions.
• Oversee performance of coating processes and process equipment to ensure minimal variability in product quality.
• Drive process development for new products transitioning from R&D to pilot scale.
• Maintain and develop process procedures, documenting and tracking all process changes and modifications.
• Design and execute quality control experiments while carefully documenting all testing procedures in accordance with company guidelines including safety protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Effectively collaborate in interdisciplinary teams working towards common goals.
• Ability to act as the subject matter expert and mentor junior scientists and engineers.
• Present and submit detailed reports on research carried out using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, or similar software.
• Prepare and evaluate technical plans, reports, presentations, and proposals to support project success.
• Written and verbal communication of ideas and results to internal science and business teams.

Required Qualifications:

• Masters / PhD in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science, related field, or equivalent education and experience.
• 5+ years of industrial experience with roll-to-roll coating; Slot die coating experience is preferred.
• Background in polymer ink formulation, coating solutions, coating processes at the research scale and pilot scale.
• Proficiency in polymer film characterization and quality control.
• 0-2 years of experience in academic or research chemistry lab.
• Proven creative problem-solving abilities to overcome technical challenges.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and efficient in executing research tasks.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Data processing experience including graphing and statistics using Microsoft Excel or similar software.
• Ability to work independently, design experiments, interpret results, and identify next steps and potential pitfalls.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in roll-to-roll coating of membranes and ink or slurry coating for battery, fuel cell, or electrolyzer applications.
• Proficiency in full manufacturing scale roll-to-roll coating equipment, upkeep and maintenance of roll-to-roll coating equipment, or statistical Design of Experiments methodology and practice.
• Demonstrated management of external relationships with manufacturing firms.
• Proven management or leadership skills over a team of scientists or engineers.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Ecolectro is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status. We strongly encourage applications from all equity groups, even those where not all job requirements are met.

To apply, please send resumes and cover letters to recruiting@ecolectro.com.