Staff Materials Engineer

About Tempo Based in San Diego, California, Tempo develops thermochemical energy storage (TCES) systems designed for energy-intensive industries. The platform enables industrial operators to shift energy use over time by sourcing power when it is most cost-effective and enables the electrification of high-temperature industrial heat at a cost advantage to using fossil fuels. By storing electricity thermochemically, the system delivers a continuous stream of combustion-free, high-temperature air at up to 1,200°C. Tempo is backed by leading climate and energy investors, including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Khosla Ventures, and Prelude Ventures. For more information, visit www.tempoenergy.com . Job Description The Staff Materials Engineer will lead complex materials development and quality initiatives that directly impact product reliability, manufacturability, and supplier readiness. This role combines deep technical expertise in ceramic materials with ownership of quality systems, process control strategies, supplier qualification, and scale-up readiness. This experienced Materials Engineer will operate as a technical leader across R&D, manufacturing, and supplier organizations, ensuring that materials, processes, and inspection methodologies consistently produce reliable outcomes. Beyond project execution, this role establishes standards, develops quality frameworks, mentors engineers, and drives continuous improvement across the organization. This position is particularly suited for an engineer with significant experience in ceramic manufacturing, quality assurance, process control, failure analysis, and supplier qualification. Key Responsibilities Innovation Lead efforts around material development with desired electro/thermo-physical properties Conceive and implement material testing and qualification strategies Quality Systems & Manufacturing Excellence Establish QA/QC methodologies for ceramic materials, components, and manufacturing processes. Develop inspe