Process Engineer - Technology Development (Vacuum Lamination & Material Stack Alignment)

As a Process Engineer specializing in Vacuum Lamination and Material Stack Alignment, you will drive the qualification and integration of new materials into our advanced manufacturing processes. This R&D-focused role centers on developing and refining testing pipelines to ensure material compatibility—especially for polymers and other flexible substrates—without directly developing new materials. Your expertise will help define best practices for material stack alignment and vacuum lamination, supporting the next generation of sheet-based manufacturing.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead projects to qualify new materials for use in vacuum lamination, ensuring robust stack alignment and process compatibility.
• Design, implement, and optimize testing pipelines that evaluate material behavior, stack integrity, and process performance under vacuum lamination conditions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate new materials into existing and future manufacturing lines, focusing on seamless transition from R&D to production.
• Develop and document best practices for material stack alignment and lamination parameters.
• Analyze test data to assess material compatibility, identify process improvements, and support data-driven decision-making.
• Work hands-on with high-volume manufacturing and R&D equipment, qualifying next-generation tools and processes for flexible circuit production.
• Identify opportunities for automation and digitalization within material qualification and lamination processes.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to material handling, stack alignment, and vacuum lamination in a fast-paced environment.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

Experience/Education

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 5-7+ years of hands-on experience in process engineering, material qualification, or manufacturing system development, preferably in R&D or high-mix/mid-volume environments.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Deep expertise in vacuum lamination, material stack alignment, and sheet-based manufacturing processes.
• Experience qualifying new materials (especially polymers) for compatibility with advanced manufacturing processes.
• Strong background in statistical methods, data visualization, systematic experiment design, and related software (e.g., JMP, Minitab).
• Ability to synthesize and interpret complex data sets to support material and process qualification.
• Independent problem solver with a desire to learn new skills and technologies.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Adaptability to changing requirements in a dynamic setting.
• Excellent communicator and collaborator, passionate about advancing material integration in high-performance teams.

At CelLink, you’ll be at the forefront of qualifying and integrating new materials, ensuring our manufacturing processes remain innovative and robust.

The base pay is just one part of CelLink's total compensation package and is determined within a range. The pay range is designed to support your career progression as you learn, grow, and develop within your role. Your base pay range will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
At CelLink, we believe that each employee should have the opportunity to become a CelLink shareholder through participation in CelLink's discretionary employee stock option plan. You'll also receive comprehensive medical and dental coverage and other great benefits.
Note: CelLink benefits, compensation, and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements.

San Carlos, CA Base Pay

$120,000—$170,000 USD

We believe diversity and inclusion among our teammates are essential to our success. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees while building teams that represent a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We are an equal opportunity employer. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. CelLink participates in the E-Verify program in specific locations as required by law.

CelLink was founded in 2012 and entered volume production in 2018. CelLink provides electrical systems to the world's leading automotive OEMs & EV manufacturers, data center developers, and stationary power companies. The company has raised approximately $315M in funding through private investment and multiple grants from the US Department of Energy. CelLink’s investors include 3M, Atreides, BMW, BorgWarner, Bosch, D1 Capital, Fidelity, Fontinalis Partners, Ford, Franklin Templeton, Lear, Park West, SK Telecom, Standard Investments, T. Rowe Price, Tinicum, and Whale Rock.