Battery Cell Integration and Testing Engineer

Ford•Dearborn, MI

About The Position

Define and own the execution of research projects tied to production needs to improve quality, decrease cost, and deliver vehicle level attributes. Plan testing of battery cells that are new to Ford with a focus on understanding the affected vehicle level performance attributes. Relate battery cell electrode level or material level data and characteristics to cell level performance attributes and failure modes. Post-process battery cell, pack, and vehicle test data. Use data to define problems and demonstrate performance to objectives / requirements. Work with the R&A and Product Development teams on modeling needs, BMS simulations, or hardware solutions as they relate to solving complex problems. Define requirements for /review the design of custom retention fixtures for cell and module testing. Continue to interface with lab testing teams to help identify further iterative design changes. Define requirements for instrumentation for given test needs. Continue to interface with lab testing teams to ensure data quality. Review fleet / connected vehicle data as it relates to root cause characterization of potential warranty issues or setting requirements/ goals for research project goals Transfer developed technologies/solutions to product teams by supporting verification testing at cell, module, pack or vehicle level. Established and active employee resource groups

Requirements

BS in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science Engineering or related degree.
3+ years of experience with battery cells, battery module, and battery pack requirements as well as methods of testing to validate performance to those requirements.
Demonstrated experience performing verification testing on Battery Monitoring System control strategies.
Demonstrated experience collecting both calibration and verification data for battery performance and battery lifetime durability models.
Ability to develop state-flow or other step by step test planning documents for cell, module, pack or vehicle level testing.
Competency in the use of at least one of the following tools for battery simulation and/or data analysis: Matlab/ Simulink/ Stateflow, Python, C++
Experience with post-processing battery cell, pack and vehicle data using AVL Concerto, ATI Vision, CANAlyzer or similar programs

Nice To Haves

Masters in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science Engineering or related degree.
5+ years of experience with Battery Cells, Battery Modules, and Battery Pack requirements and testing.
1+ years of experience working with battery cell suppliers to validate quoted performance and assess design changes to meet requirements cascaded from pack/vehicle level.
Experience using EIS and dV/dQ analysis to assess performance and lifetime characteristics of battery cells
Ability to anticipate research needs and initiate research projects
Knowledge of battery physics based model development processes
Excellent data analysis and interpretation capabilities
Excellent teamwork and communication skills
Self-motivated with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks

Responsibilities

Define and own the execution of research projects tied to production needs to improve quality, decrease cost, and deliver vehicle level attributes.
Plan testing of battery cells that are new to Ford with a focus on understanding the affected vehicle level performance attributes.
Relate battery cell electrode level or material level data and characteristics to cell level performance attributes and failure modes.
Post-process battery cell, pack, and vehicle test data.
Use data to define problems and demonstrate performance to objectives / requirements.
Work with the R&A and Product Development teams on modeling needs, BMS simulations, or hardware solutions as they relate to solving complex problems.
Define requirements for /review the design of custom retention fixtures for cell and module testing.
Continue to interface with lab testing teams to help identify further iterative design changes.
Define requirements for instrumentation for given test needs.
Continue to interface with lab testing teams to ensure data quality.
Review fleet / connected vehicle data as it relates to root cause characterization of potential warranty issues or setting requirements/ goals for research project goals
Transfer developed technologies/solutions to product teams by supporting verification testing at cell, module, pack or vehicle level.