Overview:
At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.
Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.
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.
Rockstar Rewards:
Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match*. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.
- Research Associates excluded.
**All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.
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Responsibilities:
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. (Learn more: https://www.pnnl.gov/projects/grid-storage-launchpad)
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.
What you'll do
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Collaborate with project managers, principal investigators, and other staff to procure battery modules and systems and to build battery test stands, connections, and fixtures
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Engage with sponsors, vendors, and other stakeholders to design and execute test protocols
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Partner with PNNL support staff to establish safe operating plans for modules and systems
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Program battery cycling equipment and interface with battery management systems
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Monitor ongoing battery tests to track performance and identify potential off-normal operation
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Assemble battery cycler data into reports on battery performance and degradation; working independently or as part of a team
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Work with other national laboratories and PNNL project teams to accomplish complex program objectives and develop research proposals
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Champion safe operations and testing across the lab
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
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BS/BA and 7+ years of relevant experience -OR-
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MS/MA and 5+ years of relevant experience -OR-
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PhD with 3+ year of relevant experience
Preferred Qualifications:
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Engineering or science degree with 7 or more years of experience
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Experience testing battery energy storage in industrial, utility, national laboratory, or commercial settings
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Hands-on experience operating grid-scale battery systems and associated battery testing equipment (Arbin battery cyclers preferred)
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Experience in test protocol design and execution
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Experience preparing and communicating battery test data reports
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Experience programming battery cycler equipment
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Experience interacting with sponsors, vendors, and stakeholders
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Experience with data analysis software (Excel, Power BI, Tableau)
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Experience developing data acquisition systems
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Prior experience working in battery testing facilities
Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment:
Not Applicable
Additional Information:
“Referral Eligible”
Testing Designated Position (TDP):
This is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).
About PNNL:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!
At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.
Commitment to Excellence and Equal Employment Opportunity:
Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at
[email protected].
Drug Free Workplace:
PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.
If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn.
HSPD-12 PIV Credential Requirement:
As a national laboratory, PNNL is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require new employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.
For foreign national candidates:
If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement thereafter, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the PIV credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.
