Senior Engineer — Battery Reliability Testing

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory•Richland, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Energy and Environment Directorate delivers science and technology solutions for the nation’s biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation’s power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system; and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management. The Energy Processes and Materials Division, part of the Energy and Environment Directorate, creates and delivers real world solutions that support the Department of Energy’s goals for national energy security. We deliver new technologies that connect fundamental science to applications in areas such as energy storage, advanced materials manufacturing, applied catalysis, advanced separations, biomass conversions, carbon capture and utilization, and hydrogen production and storage. We employ a systems perspective that includes discovery, technology development, and scale-up as well as economic, regulatory, and market acceptance issues necessary for successful technology commercialization. The Battery Materials and Systems Group at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is seeking a senior engineer to help lead battery reliability testing efforts in the Department of Energy's Grid Storage Launchpad (GSL) — a new, 93,000-square-foot grid energy storage research and development facility on PNNL's Richland campus. GSL is purpose-built for the next generation of storage innovation, featuring a 6,000-square-foot performance testing area for reliability testing of battery modules up to 10 kW, along with six dedicated test bays designed for reliability testing of 100 kW battery systems. You'll join a team of more than 70 world-class scientists and engineers with diverse backgrounds in electrochemistry, materials science, and electrical engineering. Together, the group advances a broad portfolio of storage technologies including Li-ion, Na-ion, Na-metal halide, redox flow, Pb-acid, and aqueous Zn batteries. GSL capabilities span fundamental and applied materials research, battery prototyping and demonstration, reliability testing, and the development of safety codes and standards.

Requirements

BS/BA and 7+ years of relevant experience -OR- MS/MA and 5+ years of relevant experience -OR- PhD with 3+ year of relevant experience

Nice To Haves

Engineering or science degree with 7 or more years of experience
Experience testing battery energy storage in industrial, utility, national laboratory, or commercial settings
Hands-on experience operating grid-scale battery systems and associated battery testing equipment (Arbin battery cyclers preferred)
Experience in test protocol design and execution
Experience preparing and communicating battery test data reports
Experience programming battery cycler equipment
Experience interacting with sponsors, vendors, and stakeholders
Experience with data analysis software (Excel, Power BI, Tableau)
Experience developing data acquisition systems
Prior experience working in battery testing facilities

Responsibilities

Collaborate with project managers, principal investigators, and other staff to procure battery modules and systems and to build battery test stands, connections, and fixtures
Engage with sponsors, vendors, and other stakeholders to design and execute test protocols
Partner with PNNL support staff to establish safe operating plans for modules and systems
Program battery cycling equipment and interface with battery management systems
Monitor ongoing battery tests to track performance and identify potential off-normal operation
Assemble battery cycler data into reports on battery performance and degradation; working independently or as part of a team
Work with other national laboratories and PNNL project teams to accomplish complex program objectives and develop research proposals
Champion safe operations and testing across the lab