Electrode Quality Engineer – Battery Cell Development Center

Job Description

The Role

The Electrode Quality Engineer will be a key member of the quality team developing and industrializing next‑generation battery cell electrodes at General Motors’ Battery Cell Development Center (BCDC). This role is responsible for establishing and improving quality systems for electrode (anode & cathode) manufacturing processes to ensure safe, stable, and capable production of high‑performance battery cells.

You will collaborate closely with all teams at the BCDC including process engineering, manufacturing engineering, operations, supplier quality, and product engineering to define critical quality requirements and develop robust controls in the electrode process by driving structured problem solving from initial pilot builds through scale‑up.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own quality for the electrode process including defining critical quality characteristics and quality measurement controls for the electrode area.
• Develop and maintain quality documentation (e.g. process flow diagrams, control plans, and risk analyses) for electrode manufacturing.
• Lead data‑driven process monitoring using statistical process control to detect trends, improve stability, and reduce overall variation in the electrode process.
• Provide traceability for downstream cell safety, performance, and quality by linking electrode defects to finished cell outcomes.
• Plan and execute measurement system studies (e.g. GR&R, MSA) for key electrode attributes.
• Lead structured problem solving for yield, scrap, and performance issues related to electrode manufacturing.
• Partner with manufacturing and process engineers to validate in-line and off‑line inspection systems.
• Analyze inline production data and offline quality checks to connect electrode quality metrics to downstream cell performance and reliability metrics.
• Maintain quality records and ensure quality documentation is updated after changes, nonconformances, corrective actions, and lessons learned.
• Use quality software tools (e.g. JMP, Minitab) to analyze quality data and communicate quality decisions clearly to upper management.
• Support new material introductions into the electrode process by reviewing product acceptance criteria from drawing parameters and confirming that quality checks are in place.
• Develop sampling plans and test strategies for new electrode builds that include state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery chemistries as well as foreign material and metal contamination controls.
• Support offline sampling strategies including gauge setup and readiness for new battery chemistry campaigns.
• Lead quality readiness reviews for new equipment, new inspection methods, process changes, pilot builds, technology transfers, and scale-up activities.
• Support supplier quality activities and new supplier evaluations for electrode raw materials.
• Train and coach technicians and operators on critical quality characteristics, inspection methods, and defect recognition for electrode processes.
• Champion safe materials handling and testing practices in the electrode process.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives focused on yield, cost, and rate capabilities of the electrode manufacturing processes.
• Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in quality engineering or closely related engineering role in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience with materials sampling, testing, and chemical process operations.
• Demonstrated ownership of quality responsibilities, including nonconforming-material control, root-cause analysis, corrective action implementation, control plan management, risk analysis reviews (FMEA), sampling inspection/test plans, and maintenance of quality records.
• Working knowledge of core quality engineering tools (SPC, Pareto, etc.)  and ISO 9001/IATF 16949 principles.
• Experience using data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, JMP, Minitab, or similar) to analyze process and quality data to communicate findings.
• Proven ability to lead cross‑functional problem solving in a manufacturing or pilot‑line setting.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to translate technical findings into clear recommendations for diverse stakeholders.
• Experience with safe handling of chemical and powder materials.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a quality engineering role focused on electrode quality on large form factor equipment.
• Direct experience in electrode manufacturing testing for slurries and coated materials in a roll-to-roll processing environment.
• Understanding of how electrode quality characteristics impact cell performance.
• Familiarity with quality characterization techniques used for electrode and materials evaluation (e.g., particle size analysis, moisture analysis, microscopy, rheology).
• Prior experience developing electrode quality measurement systems in a new plant, pilot line, or technology start‑up environment.
• Experience with material traceability from supplier to process introduction in an electrode quality engineering position.
• Working knowledge of AIAG automotive core tools (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC).
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced environment, balancing hands‑on floor presence with analytical and documentation work.
• Work Environment: Role is based at GM’s Battery Cell Development Center (BCDC) at the GM Global Technical Center.
• Requires regular on‑site presence in lab and pilot‑line areas, with appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Occasional travel may be required to production plants, suppliers, and partner facilities.
• This role may be eligible for relocation services.
• Sponsorship: GM DOES NOT PROVIDE IMMIGRATION-RELATED SPONSORSHIP FOR THIS ROLE. DO NOT APPLY FOR THIS ROLE IF YOU WILL NEED GM IMMIGRATION SPONSORSHIP NOW OR IN THE FUTURE . THIS INCLUDES DIRECT COMPANY SPONSORSHIP, ENTRY OF GM AS THE IMMIGRATION EMPLOYER OF RECORD ON A GOVERNMENT FORM, AND ANY WORK AUTHORIZATION REQUIRING A WRITTEN SUBMISSION OR OTHER IMMIGRATION SUPPORT FROM THE COMPANY (e.g., H-1B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc.)
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GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. Do not apply for this role if you will need GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future. This includes direct company sponsorship, entry of GM as the immigration employer of record on a government form, and any work authorization requiring a written submission or other immigration support from the company (e.g., H1-B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc).

This role is categorized as onsite. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location on a full-time basis.

This job is not eligible for relocation benefits. Any relocation costs would be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

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