Manager/Senior Manager/Director, Process Development

About the role

Factorial Energy is a pioneering U.S.-based solid-state battery company driving the future of energy storage and electrification. Partnered with global leaders including Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, Hyundai, and Kia, Factorial is at the forefront of developing next-generation e-mobility platforms for commercial, defense, and consumer applications-spanning electric vehicles (EVs), drones, eVTOL aircraft, power tools, marine systems, robotics, and more. The company has achieved multiple industry firsts, including being the first to power a demonstration vehicle with a global OEM (Mercedes- Benz) which achieved over 1,200 km (749 mi) of range, and the first to earn UN 38.3 certification for automotive-sized lithium-metal solid-state cells, the first to deliver B-samples of automotive-sized solid-state batteries to major OEMs. Factorial Energy is seeking a Manager/Senior Manager/Director, Process Development who will lead the equipment engineering and process development function for Factorial's whole-cell FEST manufacturing operations to join our team in our Cheonan, South Korea location. This person will be responsible for the full lifecycle of FEST cell-process equipment - concept, design, pilot-line deployment, production ramp, and standardization - and the ideal candidate will partner with cell product development, manufacturing, quality, and R&D to translate breakthroughs into scalable, production-ready processes. In this role, you will: Define specifications, performance requirements, and acceptance criteria Partner with vendors to design and procure custom tooling and automation Drive continuous improvement of yield, throughput, and process capability Assess pilot-line capabilities versus production requirements, develop upgrade roadmaps, and manage projects through installation, qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ), and sign-off with minimal disruption Monitor industry advances, lead proof-of-concept evaluations, and pioneer proprietary equipment for FEST processes where no off-the-shelf solution exists. Manage IP protection for novel innovations Plan trial runs, define success criteria, coordinate cross-functional readiness, and lead systematic process qualification and capacity ramp aligned with OEM program milestones Develop SOPs, work instructions, and knowledge-management systems Standardize FEST manufacturing processes across pilot and production lines for repeatability, traceability, and automotive-grade quality readiness Build and mentor a high-performing technical team Champion engineering rigor, continuous improvement, and cross-site knowledge sharing We are looking for people who: Must have d irect hands-on experience building small-format pouch cells for UAV/drone applications Candidates must have led or substantially contributed to the development and manufacturing of small-format lithium-based pouch cells specifically deployed in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) or drone platforms Candidates without demonstrable UAV/drone small-format pouch cell experience will not be considered Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field; advanced degree preferred 5+ years of experience in battery manufacturing process and equipment development ; experience with FEST cells, small-format pouch cells, or dry-electrode processes strongly preferred. 5+ years in a management or technical leadership role overseeing equipment engineering or process development teams. Demonstrated experience with full equipment lifecycle management: concept, specification, procurement, installation, qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ), and ramp. Proven track record in pilot-to-production scale-up and capacity ramp. Strong written and verbal communication skills in English are required This role works closely with the U.S. team; English is the primary working language. Korean language ability is not required Fully on-site in South Korea, with occasional late-night overlap to align with U.S. counterparts Familiarity with automotive quality frameworks (IATF 16949, APQP, PPAP) preferred Work Location: Cheonan, South Korea Factorial Energy is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. All qualified applicants, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. To request a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, job interview, and/or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact ( recruitment@factorialenergy.com )

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