Battery Cell Engineer

Application close date:

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the requisition is closed.

At Blue Origin, we envision millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth. We’re working to develop reusable, safe, and low-cost space vehicles and systems within a culture of safety, collaboration, and inclusion. Join our team of problem solvers as we add new chapters to the history of spaceflight! 

This role is part of the Lunar Permanence business unit, which develops Blue Origin’s Blue Moon landers and related products. To further Blue Origin's mission of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth, we are building sustainable infrastructure for our transport of crew and cargo from Earth to the lunar surface.

This role supports the development, qualification, and production of a common battery for use by multiple Blue Origin business units, including New Glenn and Lunar.

As part of a small, hard-working, and accomplished team of experts, you will be responsible for defining cell-level requirements, initiating technical discussions with suppliers to support cell selection, performing cell-level development and production testing, developing operating/safety limits for BMS & flight software, and advancing Blue Origin’s battery technology.

We are looking for someone to apply their deep technical expertise, natural leadership and interpersonal skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact the aggressive missions at Blue Origin. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• As the Battery Cell Engineer, you are responsible for the cell-level aspects of the battery design, development, qualification, and hardware production. You will:
• Work with cross-functional team to decompose requirements from vehicle level to cell-level requirements/specifications.
• Collaborate with cell suppliers to identify and evaluate cell technologies that meet Blue requirements for different applications.
• Design, develop, and execute test methods to evaluate various candidate lithium-ion cells; coordinate resources for internal and external testing.
• Drive the decision for cell selection based on the test results.
• Extract parameters from cell data to support model creation and validation.
• Apply different electrochemical techniques to identify cell degradation mechanisms; conduct cell failure analysis.
• Use cell testing data to support control/estimation algorithms used in battery management system.
• Work with Battery pack design team to improve cell/pack performance (including thermal runaway passive propagation resistance).
• Review academic/industry literature of lithium-ion cells and beyond to advance Blue Origin’s battery technology.
• Work closely with the program and manufacturing management team through build, test, and delivery of flight hardware.
• Support the development of the Automated Test Equipment for acceptance and qualification testing of cells and battery packs.
• We are looking for someone to apply their technical expertise, leadership skills, and commitment to quality to positively impact safe human spaceflight. Passion for our mission and vision is required!

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. degree in Chemical, Material Science, Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of direct experience testing lithium-ion batteries; 3+ year in space applications desired.
• Strong understanding of electrochemistry properties of lithium-ion batteries; demonstrated experience in characterizing lithium-ion cell.
• Familiar with dQdV, dVdQ analytical techniques and other electrochemical techniques such as EIS, GITT, CV, PITT.
• Strong understanding of cell design, including constituent components and their interactions inside the cell.
• Knowledge of development trend for lithium-ion battery.
• Desire to work hands-on, both independently and as part of a team, throughout the development and production phases of the battery lifecycle.
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of collaboration and inclusion.
• Highly organized teammate with excellent technical written and verbal skills.
• Ability to travel and work at remote sites supporting test integration, commissioning, and training.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. degree in Chemical, Material Science, Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• Experience in development of launch vehicles and with human spaceflight or high-performance aircraft systems.
• Experience estimating life of lithium-ion battery.
• Experience in data analysis tools such as Python.
• Experience with fault tree analysis and DFMEA/PFEMA of electrochemical systems, for identifying root cause, and applying mitigation strategies to development issues.

Base Pay Range for:

WA applicants is $156,802.00 - $219,522.45

Other site ranges may differ

Culture Statement

Don’t meet all desired requirements? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At Blue Origin, we are dedicated to building an authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every desired qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Export Control Regulations

Applicants for employment at Blue Origin must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Background Check

• Required for all positions: Blue’s Standard Background Check
• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) background check if at any time the role requires one to be on a military installation
• Required for Certain Job Profiles: Drivers who operate Commercial Motor Vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or combination of power unit and trailer that meets or exceeds 10,001 lbs. and/or transports placardable amounts of hazardous materials by ground in any vehicle on a public road while in commerce, may be subject to additional Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations including: Driver Qualification Files, Medical Certification (obtained before onboarding), Road Test, Hours of Service, Drug and Alcohol Testing, vehicle inspection requirements, CDL requirements (if applicable) and hazardous materials transportation/shipping training.
• Required for certain Job Profiles: Ability to obtain and maintain Merchant Mariner Credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing as well as DOT physical

Benefits

• Benefits include: Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.
• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
• Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions and enable them to share in the company's results, or other factors at the company's sole discretion. Bonus amounts and eligibility are not guaranteed and subject to change and cancellation. Please check with your recruiter for more details.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Blue Origin is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified and dedicated work force. Blue Origin hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Blue Origin will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Washington Fair Chance Act, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance in Hiring Ordinance, and other applicable laws. For more information on “Know Your Rights,” please see here.

Affirmative Action and Disability Accommodation

Applicants wishing to receive information on Blue Origin’s Affirmative Action Plans, or applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application and/or interview process, please contact us at EEOCompliance@blueorigin.com. Please note this is a publicly managed inbox. Please do not include any personal medical information in your request.