Senior Mechanical Engineer (Vacuum Chambers)

You will join an early-stage deep-tech startup developing next-generation silicon-anode technology for Li-ion batteries and help advance the technology toward larger-format cells, external validation, and industrial scale-up. The role focuses on cell balancing, physical cell fabrication, and electrochemical performance testing for high-energy applications, including robotics and eVTOLs/drones. You will combine full-cell engineering with practical electrochemistry to optimize both half-cell and full-cell designs and translate material-level performance into reliable cell-level results. You will assemble half-cells using pre-formulated silicon anodes and design and execute electrochemical test protocols to evaluate capacity, efficiency, rate capability, cycle life, and degradation. You will also lead the integration of Si-anodes with commercial cathodes, including high-Ni NMC, into coin and pouch cells. This includes cell assembly, formation, cycling, performance characterization, and failure analysis. You will analyze cell behavior and degradation mechanisms, identify performance limitations, and provide technical feedback to guide further optimization of the silicon-anode technology and its integration into larger-format cells. This position is in a startup environment. You should be comfortable with ambiguity, tight schedules, shifting priorities, rapid iteration, and taking ownership of technical decisions that directly affect the final product. Design and execute electrochemical experiments for Li-ion half-cells and full-cells. Evaluate pre-formulated silicon anodes in half-cell configurations versus lithium metal in coin cells. Design and optimize full cells, including mass and charge balancing (N/P ratio, areal capacity, electrode loading), electrolyte quantity, and voltage windows. Integrate silicon anodes with commercial cathodes, including high-Ni NMC materials. Assemble, test, and characterize coin cells for performance evaluation and diagnostics. Develop and run formation, cycling, and electrochemical testing protocols (CV, EIS, DCIR, ICA/DVA, and coulombic efficiency analysis). Analyze electrochemical test data, identify degradation mechanisms, and troubleshoot performance bottlenecks. Maintain experimental documentation, measurement logs, and technical reports. MSc or PhD in Electrochemistry, Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Energy Storage, Battery, Nanotechnology, or a related field. Practical experience assembling, testing, and troubleshooting coin cells. Solid practical knowledge of cell balancing and electrode capacity matching. Experience in battery cell degradation mechanisms and failure modes. Hands-on experience with Li-ion battery testing and characterization. Solid experience in Li-ion cell chemistry and SEI formation. Experience with electrochemical testing and performance evaluation. Experience with Li-ion full-cell development. Ability to analyze and interpret electrochemical test data. Fluent English Prior experience with silicon or silicon-carbon anodes. Prior experience with Ni-rich NMC full cells. Practical experience with pouch cell assembly, cutting, stacking, tab welding, or pouch sealing. Advanced diagnostic capabilities, including EIS, ICA/DVA, and post-mortem cell analysis. Exposure to battery development within an industrial or startup environment. Performance-based cash bonuses. Relocation support to Prague (tickets and moving)

You will develop and optimize thin films, nanocoatings, and nanostructured materials for energy, biomedical, and other advanced technology applications. The position focuses on electrochemical deposition, wet chemical processing, and atomic layer deposition (ALD). You will develop reproducible deposition processes, investigate process–material relationships, and use materials characterization to improve film properties and performance. Working across materials science, chemistry, electrochemistry, and process engineering, you will plan and execute experiments, optimize deposition processes, troubleshoot technical issues, and evaluate new materials and processing methods. You will work closely with researchers and engineering teams to translate material requirements into practical processes and document experimental results and process improvements. This position is offered through an engineering consulting company. You will be employed by the consulting company and assigned to the client’s project. Develop and optimize electrochemical deposition processes for thin films, coatings, and nanostructured materials. Develop and optimize wet chemical processes for deposition, surface treatment, materials synthesis, and etching. Develop and optimize ALD processes for thin films and nanocoatings. Plan and execute experiments to evaluate and improve deposition processes and material properties. Investigate the relationship between process parameters, film properties, and application performance. Characterize deposited films and materials using appropriate physical, chemical, and electrochemical techniques. Analyze experimental and process data to identify technical issues and improvement opportunities. Troubleshoot deposition and materials-processing problems. Work with researchers and multidisciplinary engineering teams to translate material requirements into practical process solutions. Evaluate new materials, chemicals, deposition methods, and characterization techniques. Document experimental results, process conditions, and technical findings. Master’s or PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related technical field. 2+ years of relevant experience in electrochemistry, materials development, process engineering, thin-film deposition, or chemical processing. Hands-on experience with electrochemical deposition. Hands-on experience with wet chemical processing. Practical experience with thin-film deposition or coating processes. Practical experience with thin-film or materials characterization. Experience with atomic layer deposition (ALD). Experience developing, optimizing, or troubleshooting experimental processes. Ability to analyze experimental data and draw practical conclusions. Fluent English. Experience with nanocoatings or nanostructured materials. Experience with materials or processes for batteries, fuel cells, electrolyzers, sensors, biomedical devices, or other energy and biomedical applications. Experience working in a cleanroom environment. Experience with electrochemical characterization techniques such as CV, EIS, or chronoamperometry. Experience with thin-film characterization techniques such as XRD, XPS, SEM, AFM, profilometry, or ellipsometry. Representation bonus of €140–€200 per month.