Battery Systems Research and Development Engineer
About The Position
The Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University is seeking Battery Systems Research and Development Engineers to join their Battery Technology Department. This role involves designing, developing, and testing prototype battery systems for high power and high energy electric propulsion underwater vehicles. ARL focuses on innovative solutions for the Navy, Department of Defense (DoD), and the Intel Community (IC). ARL is also an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner. Additional responsibilities for higher-level positions include contributing to the design, development, implementation, and analysis of technical engineering products, systems, and subsystems. This involves investigating and evaluating the practical applicability of scientific theories and engineering principles to develop and improve engineering systems, identifying technical approaches to solve problems, and applying standard practices and techniques. It may also include conducting experiments and tests in the laboratory or field, collecting and processing data, and supervising the execution of experiments or tests.
Requirements
- High-voltage battery systems
- Work within or lead a technical team of engineers/scientists
- Understanding of high-voltage battery design concepts
- Troubleshoot and integrate hardware into larger complex systems
- Battery state estimation and control algorithms
Nice To Haves
- Successful technical publications in peer-reviewed journals or conference proceedings
- Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility, if required.
Responsibilities
- Design and prototype by creating new module and pack designs or improving existing ones for enhanced performance or safety
- Investigate and evaluate new battery chemistries by scouting and assessing innovative and emerging technologies through literature reviews, external partnerships, and competitive benchmarking
- Model and simulate computation tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink) to model battery systems to predict performance, thermal behavior, and safety under various conditions
- Design comprehensive experiments and testing protocols (performance, cycle life, thermal stability, electrical stress, vibration) in a lab environment
- Collect, analyze, and interpret large sets of data to evaluate performance, identify failure modes, and determine root causes of issues
- Perform safety assessments, conducting DFMEAs (Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis), and ensuring designs and processes comply with the US Navy Lithium Battery Safety program and standards
- Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software, and fabrication teams to ensure seamless integration of battery components into underwater electric vehicles
- Prepare detailed technical reports, schematics, design documentation, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and validation plans
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical coverage
- Dental coverage
- Vision coverage
- Robust retirement plans
- Substantial paid time off (holidays, vacation, sick time)
- 75% tuition discount for employees, eligible spouses, and children
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
