Process Technician - Battery Development & Prototyping Facility

Location: Vestal, NY Category: Professional & Support Staff Job Type: Full-time Posted On: Wed Apr 1 2026 Job Description:

Battery-NY is a new lithium battery technology development and prototyping center in New York's Southern Tier. Funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration and NYS Empire State Development, Battery-NY is led by Binghamton University's Distinguished Professor M. Stanley Whittingham, 2019 Nobel Laureate inventor of the Li-ion battery. Battery-NY will build on existing strengths within New York State while advancing the development and enabling the scale-up and advanced manufacturing of batteries for various sectors including transportation, military, and energy, and will establish a robust manufacturing infrastructure that will advance the region by supporting multiple industries and their supply chains.

A first-in-class facility in the United States, Battery-NY will offer companies the latest technologies for the design and manufacture of batteries, as well as in-place pilot production, scale-up, and manufacturing capabilities that can be accessed without capital investment.

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Process Technician to support hands-on operation of the wide range of battery manufacturing equipment being installed at Battery-NY. This role will work directly with production tools including mixing, coating, calendering, slitting, pouch/prismatic/cylindrical cell assembly, and formation, aging & test (FA&T). The technician will also operate laboratory and quality-control equipment to ensure safe, consistent, and high-quality process execution.

This position is based in Johnson City, New York, four miles from Binghamton University. Further details of the planned facility can be found at newenergynewyork.com.

Key Responsibilities:

• Process Operations Readiness: Support procurement coordination, vendor interactions, equipment installation, commissioning, and early troubleshooting, while participating in factory acceptance testing (FAT) activities at vendor sites as well as site acceptance testing (SAT) and user acceptance testing (UAT) on-site, and contributing to the development of operating procedures, checklists, and documentation required for facility launch.

• Equipment Setup, Operation & Support: Operate, monitor, and support the setup and integration of battery manufacturing equipment across electrode, cell assembly, and FA&T processes - including basic configuration and verification through UAT - to ensure equipment and workflows meet operational requirements and enable a smooth transition into production.

• Project & Workflow Support: Contribute to equipment-related projects - including new installations, upgrades, and workflow improvements - while coordinating with engineering, procurement, contractors, and suppliers to ensure all tasks are completed safely and on schedule.

• Quality Management Support: Assist in implementing quality procedures, inspection methods, and documentation aligned with the facility's quality management system (QMS), while performing in-process checks, equipment verifications, and data collection to support accreditation and operational readiness.

• Maintenance Readiness & Equipment Care: Work with facilities and maintenance teams to establish preventive maintenance routines and equipment care standards, while performing basic troubleshooting and escalating issues appropriately to minimize downtime.

• Safety & Compliance: Follow all safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements during equipment installation, testing, and operation, while supporting hazard assessments, documentation, and safe-work practices throughout the build-out and operational phases.

• Energy and Efficiency Support: Contribute to initiatives that reduce waste, improve process efficiency, and support sustainable operations.

• Budget & Procurement Support: Assist with related purchasing activities, including gathering specifications, obtaining quotes, and supporting cost-effective procurement.

• Training & Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with engineering, operations, quality, facilities, and environmental health & safety (EHS) teams during facility build-out, while supporting the creation of standard operating procedures (SOPs), training materials, and competency tools for future operators and technicians, and assisting in the transition from project execution to steady-state operations, including equipment handover and documentation updates.

Job Requirements:

• Associate degree or technical certification in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Manufacturing, Chemical Technology, or a related field; or equivalent hands-on experience.

• Minimum of two years' experience operating manufacturing equipment, preferably in lithium-ion battery production, electronics, advanced manufacturing, or a related field.

• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot equipment and support production operations.

• Understanding of manufacturing workflows, equipment integration, and process optimization principles.

• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to apply practical, hands-on solutions.

• Effective communication and teamwork skills with the ability to work across functions.

• Familiarity with documentation systems, basic project coordination, or equipment readiness activities.

• Knowledge of safety regulations, environmental standards, and compliance expectations.

• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally, including to vendor facilities, for required training, inspections, and equipment acceptance activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with lithium-ion battery processes (electrode, cell assembly, formation, quality control).

• Background in pilot-line, startup, or early-stage manufacturing environments.

• Continuous improvement training (e.g., Six Sigma Yellow/Green Belt).

• Familiarity with engineering tools such as CAD viewers, MATLAB, or P&ID interpretation.

Physical and Work Environment Requirements:

• Ability to lift, drag, or pull up to 35-50 lbs. when moving materials or equipment.

• Ability to perform repetitive tasks for extended periods.

• Demonstrated commitment to wearing all required personal protective equipment (PPE) - including gloves, respirators, and dry-room garments - as an essential condition of working safely in the facility.

• Ability to safely handle chemicals and sensitive battery materials in accordance with safety procedures.

• Work will be performed in dry-room, laboratory, and manufacturing environments.

• Candidates should be prepared for the possibility of extended hours or shift-based work in the future, with schedules communicated in advance and aligned with operational needs.

Additional Information:

Salary: $50,000 - $60,000 annually based on a 40-hour working week.

Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Employee Benefits: The Research Foundation for the State University of New York offers a comprehensive benefits package (https://benefits.rfsuny.org/) that is a valuable part of total compensation. This includes medical, dental, vision, dependent care subsidy and other benefits such as SUNY Tuition Assistance. Furthermore, our 10 Perks of Working at the RF (https://www.rfsuny.org/about-us/careers/) provides an at-a-glance view of our top benefits that make us a great place to work.

Research Foundation Commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity

As an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer, The Research Foundation for SUNY will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy-related conditions, reproductive health decisions, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, familial status, citizenship, physical and mental disability, prior arrest or conviction record, genetic characteristics/genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, military status or service, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under federal, state or local law.

The Company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

The Research Foundation for SUNY is a private, not for profit corporation and is a separate employer from SUNY and the State of New York and offers separate compensation and benefit plans.

Binghamton University is a tobacco-free campus.