Supplier Development Engineer - Cell Assembly

Amprius Technologies is seeking a Senior Supplier Development Engineer to lead technical engagement with suppliers supporting advanced lithium-ion cell materials, components, and contract manufacturing. This role is responsible for qualifying and developing suppliers, industrializing new processes, and driving launch readiness from NPI through volume production. The ideal candidate is a self-starting engineer with strong battery manufacturing knowledge, hands-on supplier troubleshooting capability, and sound judgment in quality, process control, and scale-up risk.

Responsibilities

· Lead technical selection, qualification, and development of suppliers for battery raw materials, cell components, and contract manufacturing partners.

· Drive supplier industrialization from initial process assessment through pilot, qualification, and production ramp, ensuring readiness for volume manufacturing.

· Evaluate supplier manufacturing flows, process capability, capacity, and expansion plans to identify constraints, mitigate risk, and support long-term scaling.

· Partner with suppliers to optimize process performance, yield, quality controls, and manufacturability across material and cell production operations.

· Establish and approve appropriate quality planning deliverables, including APQP/PPAP elements, control plans, PFMEA, SPC, MSA, and process validation activities.

· Support implementation and improvement of IQC, IPQC, and OQC systems at supplier sites to ensure robust incoming and in-process quality.

· Lead on-site supplier audits focused on technical capability, manufacturing discipline, quality systems, and production readiness.

· Drive failure analysis and corrective action with suppliers using structured methods such as 8D, root cause analysis, and verification of corrective/preventive actions.

· Work cross-functionally with engineering, quality, operations, and supply chain teams to align supplier capability with product requirements, design intent, and launch milestones.

· Serve as the primary technical interface to supplier engineering and quality teams, providing clear communication of risks, actions, and progress to internal stakeholders.

Qualifications

· Demonstrated experience taking products or processes from NPI through qualification and ramp to volume production with external suppliers or contract manufacturers.

· Strong understanding of battery cell manufacturing processes (electrode coating, cell assembly, formation) or key battery components (anode/cathode materials, separators, electrolytes).

· Working knowledge of quality and process control tools, including PFMEA, control plans, SPC, MSA/GRR, Cpk, DOE, and structured problem solving.