Battery Engineering Technician (contract)

Pivotal•Palo Alto, CA

7d•$33 - $41•Onsite

About The Position

We are looking for a hands-on Battery Engineering Technician to join our battery team in a fast-paced eVTOL startup environment. You will work closely with battery engineers to build, test, and characterize cells, modules, and packs — from prototype builds through validation. Strong attention to detail, a safety-first mindset, and adaptability are essential.

Requirements

3+ years of hands-on experience with battery cells, modules, or packs in an engineering or manufacturing environment.
Proficient with electronics test equipment: cyclers, hi-pot testers, DMMs, oscilloscopes, and AC/DC power supplies.
Experience building fixtures and preparing test samples; strong mechanical aptitude with hand and power tools.
Familiarity with welding (laser, ultrasonic, or spot) and basic machine shop equipment.
Strong documentation habits, communication skills, and team-oriented attitude.
High school diploma or GED equivalent.

Nice To Haves

Experience with thermal runaway or abuse testing (including post-burn cleanup in Tyvek suits).
Experience with high-voltage battery packs and safety protocols.
Familiarity with DO-160G, DO-311A, or UN 38.3 certification testing.
Experience in aerospace/regulated environments: ESD controls, traceability, controlled rework.
PCB assembly, soldering, or 3D printing/CNC experience.
Experience working safely with hazardous materials.
Associate’s or technical degree in engineering (desired but not required).

Responsibilities

Build and validate battery prototypes from cell through pack level; rework parts and assemblies as needed.
Set up and execute electrical, thermal, and thermal runaway (TR) tests, including sensor and thermocouple installation on test articles.
Operate lab equipment: cyclers (Arbin, BioLogic, Chroma), power supplies, ultrasonic/spot welders, hi-pot testers, DMMs, and oscilloscopes.
Build test fixtures, jigs, enclosures, and harnesses for test stands.
Document build processes, test data, travelers, and inspection results with strong traceability.
Handle, store, and dispose of hazardous battery materials per federal, state, and local regulations.
Maintain a clean, safe lab; collaborate with Engineering and Quality to resolve issues and drive continuous improvement.