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Cell Engineer
Position Scope
The Cell Design Engineer will be a key team member, producing next generation cells for high energy and high power applications. The successful applicant will develop, produce and commercialize innovative cell designs based on proprietary materials. The responsibilities of this position will cover cell design, development, analysis, and support for product launch. Specific activities will include creation of new cell designs, implementing designs of experiments (DOEs) for new cells and materials, overseeing cell builds, and evaluating cell test results.
This individual will utilize a strong theoretical and working knowledge of cathode, anode, electrolyte, and separator materials, as well as how these components work together to make a successful cell. It is expected that the candidate will also be familiar with testing and analysis techniques used to characterize battery devices and materials. Additionally, this candidate will need to be comfortable working within an industrial product development environment, including experience with or ability to learn formal product development tools (such as APQP).
The Cell Design Engineer will be based in our Woburn, MA location and report to Chief Technology Officer.
Responsibilities
- Design, development, validation, and analysis of Li-Metal components, assemblies, and specifications.
- Selection, characterization, and validation of Li-Metal cell materials and components, (active materials, additives, electrodes, separators, electrolytes, etc.)
- Electrode optimization including formulation, coat weight, density, and porosity.
- Statistical data analysis for electrode & cell quality.
- Plan, develop and execute Design of Experiments for fabrication and testing of lithium-ion cells.
- Analyze and evaluate chemical and electrochemical data to determine direct and interaction effects of the materials under evaluation and execute root-cause analysis of failures and appropriate action incurred over course of development and launch.
- Propose cell and/or electrolyte design changes to optimize battery performance for different applications.
- Provide engineering support to cell manufacturing teams in order to resolve manufacturing process issues.
- Work with external suppliers, vendors, national labs, and academic institutions.
- Develop and create comprehensive technical specifications, drawing, and DFMEA.
- Collaborate with Supplier Quality team in their communication with material suppliers, related to the development and validation of detailed material specifications for new materials, and the resolution of any quality issues
Specific skills/abilities
- An ability to communicate new concepts and draw insight from discussions with coworkers;
- Expertise and hands-on experience in high purity chemicals and impacts on device performance and manufacturing;
- Knowledge of common lithium-ion anode and electrolyte systems; including common lithium salt, solvents, and additives, and their role
- Demonstrable track record of learning new technologies quickly and using your skillset to have a tangible impact in a short time frame;
- Ability to onboard and integrate existing in-house knowledge with new discoveries and challenges being tackled in developing electrolyte materials for high energy rechargeable lithium metal cells;
- Ability to identify and execute testing metrics to shorten the cycle of learning;
- A technical leader with the ability to positively influence peers and bring the team together;
- Track record of intellectual property creation;
- Experience in mixture DOE;
- Has worked with moisture sensitive materials in the glovebox or dry room.
- Nice to have: Proficiency in cell assembly, cell test, and data analysis
Qualifications
- MS in Chemistry, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
- At least three years of industrial experience in Li-Ion or related technologies.
- Demonstrated expertise and success in design and development of components and assemblies for lithium-ion battery.
- Competency in the DFMEA process.
- Working experience with Quality & Reliability disciplines (APQP, 8D, etc.)
- Experience in design and development of batteries/cells.
- Familiarity with statistical analysis and Design of Experiments preferred.
