Principal Yield Improvement Engineer

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Use advanced analytics (Python, SQL, JMP, Minitab, etc.) to support root cause analysis, monitor KPIs, and report results. Build dashboards, tools, and reports that empower operators and engineers to make faster, more informed decisions.
• Mentor and Manage: Lead and develop process engineers, setting clear goals, supporting professional growth, and fostering a collaborative, improvement-focused team culture.
• Facilitate Structured Problem-Solving: Lead root cause investigations (RCAs), corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs), and structured problem-solving sessions, ensuring actions are implemented and tracked across teams.
• Knowledge Integration: Absorb and apply information from raw material to product level, ensuring improvements are technically sound and aligned with product requirements.
• Documentation and Communication: Maintain clear records of changes, SOPs, and improvement projects; communicate progress and results to stakeholders.
• Identify and Prioritize Ongoing Improvement Opportunities: Analyze production data and process trends while working closely with process engineers/production team to pinpoint areas for yield and quality improvement. Proactively seek out inefficiencies and opportunities for optimization.
• Lead Cross-Functional Implementation: Work with process engineers, line managers, automation, process development, failure analysis and/or process quality teams to design, test, and implement solutions. Champion change management and drive consensus for process, spec and equipment updates.
• Hands-On Process Ownership: Engage directly with the build line, equipment, and operators to understand real-world challenges, validate improvements, and ensure robust, scalable solutions.
• Relationship Building: Foster strong working relationships across teams, encouraging collaboration, knowledge sharing, and alignment on improvement initiatives.

This position is required to work onsite 5 days per week to meet the minimum essential duties and requirements of this position. As an on-site R&D and manufacturing operations organization, in-person face to face interaction is essential to building authentic relationships, trust, teamwork, and collaboration.

As the Yield Improvement Lead for the cell manufacturing team, you will be responsible for driving continuous improvement in manufacturing yield and process efficiency. You’ll be hands-on with the build line, collaborating closely with process engineers, line managers, automation, process development, failure analysis and process quality teams. Your role is both technical and leadership-focused, requiring strong data analysis skills, excellent communication skills, deep battery expertise, and the ability to unite cross-functional groups to deliver impactful changes.

• Experience managing or mentoring engineers and driving cross-functional initiatives.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and relationship-building abilities.
• Bachelor’s degree + 10 yrs of experience or Master’s degree in 7+ yrs of experience with an educational background in Chemical, Mechanical, Controls, Physics, Industrial Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.
• 5+ years’ experience in solid-state, lithium-ion, sodium-ion related battery field.
• Deep technical knowledge of battery materials and processes (solid-state, lithium/sodium-ion, etc.).
• Comfortable working hands-on in a fast-paced, dynamic production environment.
• Strong data analysis and visualization skills; experience with manufacturing data platforms.
• Proven track record of leading yield/process improvement projects in a manufacturing environment or transferable skills to do so.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, DOE methodologies preferred.

Expected salary range for this role is from $ 160,700 to $217,000, and a final salary will be determined by the candidate's experience and educational background. QuantumScape also offers an annual bonus and a generous RSU/Equity package as part of its compensation plan. In addition, we do offer a tremendous benefits plan including employee paid health care, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), and other benefits.