How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Who We Are
At Michigan Engineering, we develop the talent and technologies that move society forward and serve our state and national interests. Through discovery and innovation, we create the foundational knowledge and practical technologies to solve not only today's most pressing challenges, but also power industries and change lives. Our programs and community are designed to promote personal well-being and achievement - enabling everyone to unlock their potential and contribute with confidence.
Job Summary
At the University of Michigan's new Electric Vehicle Center (EVC), we educate, innovate, and engage to accelerate the future of electric mobility. As part of the EVC, the UM Battery Lab works to create and maintain a state of the art, independent user facility with a flexibility of scale in production and characterization of batteries that will benefit the energy storage community as a whole.
Basic Function and Responsibility
The Battery Lab at the University of Michigan is a full-service battery cell fabrication and testing facility open to any academic or industry user.
The lab is an IP-protected safe zone where researchers from around the globe can prototype, test, scale-up, and analyze batteries and the materials that go into them. It is currently 17,000 sq. feet of research space and includes a pilot line for pouch and cylindrical cells, an R&D pouch cell line, coin cell fabrication, electrochemical cycling, abuse testing, and a full suite of material characterization tools, across two distinct locations.
The current role would be joining our technical staff as a Battery Engineer at the Senior level. This position will be integral in the cell manufacturing at our Ellsworth facility. This role involves working with customers, leading the processing and manufacturing of batteries using a wide variety of materials and chemistries, which can change on a daily basis. You will be expected to resolve technical issues while driving weekly build projects forward. The position also requires hands-on troubleshooting and adjusting manufacturing equipment as needed for each project.
The successful candidate may be expected to train and supervise students, new hires, and outside users of the facility. In this role, excellent written and verbal communication is expected, as this position will be interfacing directly with users (academic and industrial) and may be expected to present at conferences or guest-lecture in college-level courses. It is anticipated that this position will primarily work at the Ellsworth facility, though travel to the campus facility will be required.
Responsibilities*
- Works in the laboratory to make and test batteries to specifications provided by a superior or customer (80%)
- Mixing and coating battery slurry
- Electrode preparation and cell manufacturing (pouch and cylindrical)
- Machine maintenance and cleaning
- General laboratory maintenance and cleaning
- Subject matter expert (10%)
- Coaches, trains, and reviews the work of less experienced employees and users:
- Safe operation of the instruments and tools.
- Explain the principles of the equipment.
- The basics of battery science and engineering.
- Serves as a problem escalation resource.
- Anticipates customer needs, assesses requirements, and solves complex situations.
- Is expected to have sufficient knowledge of batteries to present at a conference or guest lecture in a college-level course.
- Can apply best-practices and in-depth knowledge to battery research and development.
- Coaches, trains, and reviews the work of less experienced employees and users:
- May make purchasing recommendations: (5%)
- Equipment
- Tools
- Materials
- Generates and follows SOPs for (5%)
- Material testing
- Machine use
- Laboratory safety
- Business interactions
Required Qualifications*
The position requires a relevant bachelor's degree and 5 years relevant industry experience, or an advanced degree (master's degree or above) in battery science/engineering and 2 years relevant industry experience
Candidates must have:
Experience working with the following:
Large volume (5-30L) overhead mixers .
Roll-to-roll coating using both reverse comma and slot die methodologies
Roll-to-roll calendering presses
Semi-automated cylindrical cell assembly (18650 & 21700)
Semi-automated pouch cell assembly (various sizes: 0.5-40+ Ah)
Understand the fundamentals of lithium ion materials and cell design.
Experience with laboratory safety and training.
Good written and verbal communication skills, as well as good record keeping habits are required.
Customer service-oriented mindset.
Able to work in a low humidity environment.
Ability to work efficiently in a multitasking, rapid-cycle development environment.
- A valid driver's license and clean driving record.
Ability to move / lift items weighing up to 50 pounds.
Desired Qualifications*
Strong preference for those who have previously worked on Energy Tech Solution machines for pouch and cylindrical cell manufacturing.
Experience working in an industrial battery fabrication facility.
Experience with analytical equipment. Including:
Parallel plate rheometer
Moisture analysis
Experience with the Voltaiq data management platform
Why Work at Michigan?
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
Generous time off
A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
Life insurance
Long-term disability coverage
Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
Maternity and Parental Leave
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
This is an onsite position.
Additional Information
Work location flexibility - may be stationed alternatively at the North Campus or the Ellsworth expansion site depending upon current user demand.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.