Process Development Engineer

C-Motive is seeking a detail-oriented Process Development Engineer to contribute to the development and scale-up of our manufacturing processes, including dielectric fluid purification, fluid handling, motor cleaning, assembly, and filling processes.

Electrochemical materials are driving the next wave of innovation in energy capture, storage, and conversion. As these technologies evolve from lab-scale discoveries to full-scale manufacturing, they demand a new kind of process development engineer—someone who combines an interest in chemical processing with the creativity and resourcefulness to design integrated mechanical and electrical assembly systems.

As a Process Development Engineer, you will work closely with the Process Development, Production, Testing, and Mechanical Design teams to design process flows, qualify equipment, and validate processes that will enable C-Motive to increase production capacity by 10–20x over the next 18 months.

This role is ideal for a hands-on individual contributor who enjoys learning on the job, collaborating across teams, solving day-to-day challenges, and thriving in a fast-paced startup environment.

C-Motive is a startup based in Middleton, Wisconsin, commercializing next-generation electric motors focused on sustainability and efficiency. The technology originated at UW-Madison and will be the first electrostatic motor technology of its kind brought to market.

Electric motors consume roughly half of all electricity globally. C-Motive’s patented electrostatic motor technology delivers:

• 95%+ efficiency
• No rare-earth metals
• Less than 1% of the copper used in traditional motors
• The potential to reduce carbon emissions by over a gigaton in the next decade

The global electric motor market exceeds $100B annually, and C-Motive is positioned to become a major player in the industry. No other company is currently developing electrostatic machines at this scale, and our mission is to establish electrostatic motors as the next generation of electric motor technology.

• Scale up dielectric fluid purification, fluid handling, and motor filling processes
• Improve motor cleaning and assembly processes
• Improve plate flattening processes
• Design and optimize manufacturing process flows
• Identify, evaluate, and qualify production equipment
• Develop and validate production processes
• Write SOPs and work instructions
• Support early production efforts and train future production personnel
• Collaborate with the testing team to develop in-process QA/QC tests
• Establish final product correlations and define pass/fail criteria

• Degree in Process Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field
• 2+ years of experience developing fluid-based chemical processes
• Experience developing and implementing QA/QC tests and metrics
• Understanding of reliability engineering methodologies
• Strong attention to detail with excellent communication, organization, and documentation skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic startup environment

• Experience with electrochemical systems or products
• Familiarity with ISO certification processes
• Previous startup experience

This role offers immediate opportunities for growth, including:

• Increased technical ownership of fluid or motor unit operations
• Participation in strategic decision-making discussions
• Management opportunities for interns or new employees
• Collaboration with technical and business development teams

C-Motive offers competitive compensation and a generous benefits package, including:

• Flexible take-what-you-need paid time off
• Paid parental bonding leave for all employees
• 401(k) program
• Employee stock options
• Opportunities for professional growth and advancement

C-Motive is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.