The United States is in the middle of the largest manufacturing construction boom since World War II, and batteries are at the center of it. Over $150 billion in announced investments are flowing into battery and EV manufacturing across the country, driven by the Inflation Reduction Act, CHIPS Act funding, and surging EV demand.
More than 30 gigafactories are under construction or planned. Each one creates 1,500–5,000 permanent manufacturing jobs plus thousands more in the supply chain. If you're looking for a manufacturing career with long-term growth, battery production is the industry to target.
Who's Hiring
The Gigafactory Builders
Tesla — Gigafactory Nevada (Reno), Gigafactory Texas (Austin) The pioneer. Tesla's Nevada facility alone employs over 7,000 workers producing battery cells and packs. Austin is ramping Cybertruck and 4680 cell production.
Panasonic — Kansas City (KS), Sparks (NV) $4 billion Kansas facility building 2170 cells for Tesla. Hiring massively—targeting 4,000+ workers.
LG Energy Solution — Holland (MI), Queen Creek (AZ), multiple JV plants Multiple facilities producing pouch and cylindrical cells. Joint ventures with GM (Ultium Cells) across Ohio, Tennessee, and Michigan.
Samsung SDI — Kokomo (IN) Joint venture with Stellantis. Building 33 GWh of capacity. $3.2 billion investment.
SK On — Commerce (GA), Glendale (KY) Multiple plants supplying Ford and Hyundai. Georgia facilities already producing.
CATL / Ford — Marshall (MI) BlueOval SK plants producing LFP cells. Controversial but massive employer.
Rivian — Normal (IL), expanded Georgia facility EV truck and SUV manufacturer with integrated battery pack assembly.
The Battery Supply Chain
Enovix — Fremont (CA), Malaysia Silicon anode battery manufacturer. Advanced manufacturing roles.
Form Energy — Weirton (WV) Iron-air batteries for grid storage. Converting a former steel mill into a battery factory—poetic.
Sila Nanotechnologies — Moses Lake (WA) Silicon anode materials. $375 million facility.
Electric Hydrogen — Various Electrolyzers for green hydrogen production. Adjacent to battery manufacturing skills.
Antora Energy — San Jose (CA) Thermal energy storage using carbon blocks. Novel manufacturing processes.
The Jobs
Battery manufacturing roles fall into three categories: cell production, module/pack assembly, and equipment maintenance.
Cell Production
This is the core of a gigafactory. Roles include:
| Role | Pay Range | Description | |------|-----------|-------------| | Production Operator | $38,000–$52,000 | Operate coating, stacking, and formation equipment | | Quality Technician | $45,000–$60,000 | In-process inspection, SPC, defect analysis | | Mixing Technician | $42,000–$55,000 | Prepare electrode slurries (cathode and anode materials) | | Dry Room Operator | $44,000–$58,000 | Work in ultra-low humidity environment for cell assembly | | Formation Technician | $46,000–$62,000 | Charge/discharge cycling for cell activation and grading |
Note: Dry room work involves wearing specialized suits and working in under 1% humidity environments. Some people find this uncomfortable — it's worth knowing before you apply. Most facilities offer premium pay for dry room roles.
Module & Pack Assembly
Assembling cells into modules and modules into vehicle battery packs:
| Role | Pay Range | Description | |------|-----------|-------------| | Battery Assembly Tech | $42,000–$56,000 | Mechanical and electrical assembly of battery modules | | Welding Operator (Laser) | $50,000–$68,000 | Laser welding cell tabs and bus bars | | HV Electrical Tech | $55,000–$75,000 | High-voltage wiring, testing, and safety systems | | Test Technician | $48,000–$65,000 | End-of-line testing, charge/discharge validation |
Equipment Maintenance
The highest-paying roles in a gigafactory:
| Role | Pay Range | Description | |------|-----------|-------------| | Maintenance Technician | $55,000–$78,000 | Troubleshoot and repair production equipment | | PLC/Controls Technician | $65,000–$90,000 | Program and maintain automation systems | | Robotics Technician | $60,000–$85,000 | Maintain and program industrial robots | | Facilities Mechanic | $50,000–$68,000 | HVAC, utilities, dry room systems |
Maintenance roles in battery plants often include significant overtime (paid at 1.5x), pushing total compensation 20–30% above base.
Skills That Transfer
If you already have manufacturing experience, many skills transfer directly to battery production:
From automotive: Assembly line experience, torque specifications, SPC/quality systems From electronics: Soldering, clean room protocols, ESD handling, test equipment From chemical processing: Mixing, coating, process control, safety protocols From machining: Precision measurement, equipment operation, process optimization From electrical: HV systems, motor controls, wiring, NEC compliance From HVAC: Building systems knowledge critical for dry room and facility maintenance
Trade school programs in manufacturing technology, mechatronics, or industrial maintenance prepare you for the majority of battery plant roles.
What Makes Battery Manufacturing Different
Clean Room / Dry Room Environment
Battery cell production happens in controlled environments. Contamination (moisture, particles) destroys cells. You'll wear gowns, gloves, and sometimes respirators. The dry rooms have humidity below 1% — your lips will chap, you'll need eye drops, and you'll drink a lot of water. Companies provide all PPE and most have adapted schedules (rotate out of dry room every few hours).
Chemical Handling
Electrode materials include lithium compounds, NMP (N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone), and various solvents. Proper handling training is provided, but you need to be comfortable working around chemicals with appropriate safety measures.
Shift Work
Gigafactories run 24/7. Expect rotating shifts (days/nights on a 2-2-3 or 4-3 schedule). Most facilities offer shift differentials of $2–$4/hour for nights and weekends.
Rapid Scale-Up
These are new factories ramping production. Processes change frequently. Equipment is being optimized. If you like variety and problem-solving, this is a feature. If you prefer routine, the first 1–2 years will be challenging.
Getting Hired
Direct Application
Every major battery manufacturer lists jobs on their careers page. Apply directly — they receive thousands of applications but struggle to find qualified candidates with manufacturing aptitude.
Trade School Pipeline
Battery companies are increasingly partnering with trade schools and community colleges to create pipeline programs. Some offer tuition assistance or apprenticeships.
Training Programs
Several states offer free or subsidized training programs specifically for battery manufacturing:
- Georgia — Quick Start program (free training for SK On and Rivian employees)
- Michigan — Various community college programs aligned with LG and Samsung
- Tennessee — TN Promise covers tuition for battery manufacturing programs
