About the position
The Lead Applications Engineer will play a key role in new product development (NPD) and the expansion of ZincFive's Nickel-Zinc battery technology into new application areas. The selected candidate will be customer-facing and will manage the assessment of new opportunities and applications in the early stages of our PLM (product lifecycle management) process. Responsibilities will include generating project proposals, understanding and managing market and product requirements, and creation of high-level system architecture/functional block diagrams and 3D concept models. The Lead Applications Engineer will provide recommendations based on robust C&F (concept and feasibility) test results, and product and project cost models. The selected candidate will also provide support for product validation and for sustaining engineering across all ZincFive product lines. This position reports to the Director of Engineering and will work onsite at ZincFive headquarters in Tualatin, Oregon.
Responsibilities
- Lead, manage and expand the Applications Engineering team
- Drive the Applications Engineering team in the creation of innovative and robust solutions to address customer needs, both for new applications and for continuous improvement of existing products
- Work with customers, strategic partners and internal stakeholders to create and vet ideas for new products
- Define application and product requirements and assess compatibility with our Nickel-Zinc technology
- Act as Project Manager during the C&F phase of the NPD process, developing detailed project plans, gantt charts and effectively managing constraints
- Work with the team to develop C&F designs, block diagrams, and BOMs
- Drive design reviews and validation testing and provide recommendations on feasibility
- Work with Battery Team on battery characterization testing and continuing technology development
- Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies
- Ensure appropriate DFx (e.g. design for manufacturability, design for assembly, design for cost) tools and principles are employed, and ensure adherence to a robust PLM gate process
- Support cost-down and continuous improvement initiatives
- Support expansion of IP and patent portfolio
- Communicate plans and results effectively
- Provide technical reports and presentations to internal and external project stakeholders
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, electro-chemistry or related field
- 7+ years of intensive, hands-on product development experience in batteries or battery systems
- Demonstrated strong leadership and project management experience
- Experience translating business product requirements into technical requirements; writing TMs (traceability matrix) and PRDs (product requirements document)
- Excellent oral and written communication skills for engagement with external customers and to facilitate teamwork across departments
- Experience working in cross-functional teams including sales, marketing, engineering, and manufacturing
- Superior analytical and problem-solving skills
- Understanding of risk management
- Ability to work under pressure and deliver on-time in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally, as needed
Nice-to-haves
- Experience working with and understanding various battery chemistries and/or battery products
- Relevant product or industry-specific experiences such as in battery backup or in uninterruptible power supplies
Benefits
- medical
- dental
- vision
- life insurance
- 401k
- paid sick time
- paid time off for vacation
- paid holidays
- paid community service days
- professional/personal learning program
- applicable state/federal paid family leave
