Battery Validation Engineer

Stellantis•Auburn Hills, MI

About The Position

The Battery Build and Validation Engineer is responsible for building and executing the validation plan for the High Voltage Battery System (HVBS) for a major vehicle program.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical or Computer Engineering, from an ABET accredited school or equivalent
A minimum of 5 years of experience in a related field
Understanding of automotive processes such as DFMEA and DVP&R
Familiarity with automotive traction battery design, components, and electric circuits
Understanding of CAN communication
Strong interpersonal communication, team/leadership skills/experience
Critical character traits to ensure success: Action Oriented, Dealing with Ambiguity, Customer Focus, Problem Solving

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in with emphasis in electrical power storage, electromechanical energy conversion, power electronics, or electrical machines
Working experience in creation of validation plans for e-Powertrain components, especially traction batteries
2 years or more of executing validation of high voltage batteries
Previous high voltage safety training and experience troubleshooting and working on high voltage devices
Knowledge and familiarity with Vector CAN boxes, CANalyzer, INCA, and / or ETAS

Responsibilities

Create the DVP&R, reviewing it with the Chief Engineer and Family Manager, and agree on the number of packs and level of packs to be tested through each phase: Dve – Design Verification DVa – Design Validation PV (Process Validation)
Act as a local expert in Battery Validation tests and processes and interface with Battery Validation COE to achieve resolution to any questions or issues
Create the Statement of Work and the Test Cost Estimate for outside testing, and work with Purchasing to send out the RFQ for the testing work to various suppliers with the necessary testing capabilities. Review the quotations and select a testing supplier with Purchasing.
Write requisition for testing costs and obtain approvals to issue Purchase order
Once the PO is released to the supplier, arrange delivery of the necessary batteries to the proper supplier location(s) to carry out the testing. Note that one of these locations can be the Stellantis NA-BTC (North American Battery Testing Center)
Download a copy of all the test procedures into the POR DVP&R/PROGRAM/TEST PROCEDURES Sharepoint drive and provide links to the procedures from the DVP&R document. Keep these procedures updated with additional necessary details as the tests are commissioned, set up and run with the test supplier(s)
Work with the internal cell and module development team to set all parameters for battery aging tests
Meet with the testing supplier(s) on a regular basis (e.g. daily or weekly or more often as needed) to ensure that the supplier understands the validation testing setup, preparation, procedures, files, cycles, equipment, and battery interfaces and connections and is sure that they will run the validation testing properly. Provide the supplier with the necessary CAN configuration, .dbc files, wiring and connection diagrams and supplier sources, as well as on site guidance and mentoring during the test set up and execution
Sign off the Start of Test form with the supplier to confirm everything is set up correctly and ready to start
During testing, the Validation Engineer will review any issues that come up and provide guidance to the supplier to address any test or HVBS issues. Create GIMs for each issue to ensure engineering team drives issues to closure
Report out regularly to the Chief Engineer organization on the status and progress of testing. This reporting will continue weekly until the validation plan is completed and signed off by the Chief Engineer
As testing progresses, the Validation Engineer will update the Test Timing Plan and the DVP&R document to ensure they are kept current on at least a weekly basis
After testing, participate in the post test analysis and teardown activity along with the project team to identify any issues or concerns
Once completed, the Validation Engineer will obtain the test and post-test teardown reports from the supplier and ensure the quality of the reports. Review reports or summaries with the Chief Engineer and file them on our Sharepoint and link them to the DVP document
Provide instructions to the supplier for disposition, re-use or recycling of the batteries
A final review must be completed when all validation activity is complete to ensure all records are properly collected and stored
Prepare documentation to be presented to the Battery Compliance Committee to confirm that all necessary testing and validation was completed to satisfy performance, durability and regulatory approval and achieve approval for production