Battery Test Engineer

My Impact as the Battery Test Engineer

You are able to work in a dynamic innovative teams, building positive working environments and diplomatically resolving challenges to programme delivery.  “Hands on” work will be expected, with the assistance of our skilled technicians. We are currently entering a phase of expansion with the objective of rapidly bringing competitive product(s) to market. As part of this expansion, we are looking for a Test Engineer within the battery team to deliver critical battery test activities, from testing initial design ideas through to ensuring final products perform to specification. It has a focus of working on high voltage battery pack systems and their module components. This team does not perform cell testing activities, but focuses on testing and assessing the high voltage battery assembly. 

What success will look like for the Battery Test Engineer

• Planning and preparation of tests, including material handling, instrumentation and cooling system connections, electrical connection work (including HV)
• Delivery and reporting for battery testing activities that are associated with mechanical, thermal and electrical performance of the battery assembly and its sub systems so that they are delivered on time and on budget. Examples of which are:
  • Long term electrical cycling
  • Battery abuse testing (drop, thermal runaway, crush, short circuit, mechanical shock)
  • Battery vibration testing
  • Characterisation testing for the development of new simulation models.
  • Ground equipment testing which is associated with the battery assembly.
  • Battery management system testing
  • Battery cooling system testing
• Robustly record test methodology and results for certification authorities and the wider business to review
• Support the scheming and designing of electrical and mechanical systems (and rigs) required to enable various test activities, this can cover HV and LV networks/systems of the battery assembly.
• Perform risk assessments of testing activities and ensure the right measures, documentation and measures are in place, whilst being a role model of the company’s safety-first culture.
• Support the planning, development and delivery of new battery test facilities.
• Supporting test operations at third party facilities away from normal operating base and when required to travel and work extended hours
• Supporting the development of requests for information and requests for quotation for testing services and equipment from third party providers.
• Support the definition of requirements for the battery system and battery associated group equipment
• Support and the writing of technical documentation for the aircraft
• To undertake live working on high voltage battery assemblies in support of pre and post test inspections, instrumentation and system analysis.
• Production and delivery of high quality data to customer teams
• The creation and update of standardised battery test scripts

Everything sounds very interesting but how do I know this is the role for me?

We are looking for people that will have the following qualifications and experiences:

We seek a unique individual, who has a mix of hands on test experience (electrical, mechanical and climatic) and desk based administrative and test planning work.  A career background in electric vehicle or battery testing (in Aerospace or Automotive)  would be particularly advantageous, together with an interest in green technology and/or aviation.

• A degree or NVQ in an engineering or technical discipline, or equivalent experience
• A working knowledge of HV lithium-ion battery systems
• Knowledgeable in battery test methods and data analysis
• Hands-on experience of battery test operations, including preparation, set-up and monitoring
• Assembly and installation of test jigs, cooling systems and instrumentation.
• Knowledgeable in the use of battery cyclers and battery test scripting languages
• A good knowledge of the health and safety challenges around battery testing.
• Experience of operating, maintaining and calibrating test equipment and associated systems
• Demonstrable technical skills to plan, coordinate, and delivering test rigs and solutions.
• Experience of establishing and maintaining relationships with numerous internal and external stakeholders
• Experienced with standard laboratory and workshop toolsas well as high voltage working.
• Competent with data loggers such as Dewesoft, Vector (Canalyizer, CanNoe etc.), PICO, Lab View.

Experience of the following is desired but not essential 

• Previous experience with electric aircraft and/or VTOLs
• Electro-mechanical systems integration experience
• CAD familiarity (CATIA/Solidworks) for interrogating digital models
• Experience with JIRA and Confluence
• Professional qualification with iMechE, IET or similar preferred but not essential
• Knowledge of battery electrochemistry and the electrical and thermal behaviour advantageous but not essential
• Previous experience of high voltage live working advantageous but not essential