Battery Systems R&D Engineer – Underwater Propulsion

Penn State; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 121,704 - 231,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State University’s Applied Research Laboratory in State College, PA seeks a Battery Systems Research and Development Engineer to design, prototype, and test high-power, high-energy battery systems for underwater electric vehicles.

You will model performance with MATLAB/Simulink, run DFMEAs, evaluate new chemistries, and collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software teams to deliver robust, mission-ready solutions for Navy DoD programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Science required.
• 14+ years of relevant experience for Senior level.
• Current eligibility for access to classified information may be required.
• Experience with high-voltage battery systems and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Design and prototype new battery module/pack designs for performance and safety.
• Investigate and evaluate new battery chemistries via literature reviews and partnerships.
• Model and simulate battery systems with MATLAB/Simulink to predict performance and thermal behavior.
• Design experiments and testing protocols (cycle life, thermal stability, electrical stress).
• Collect and analyze large data sets to identify failure modes and root causes.
• Perform DFMEAs and ensure compliance with Navy Lithium Battery Safety programs.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software, and fabrication teams for integration.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, schematics, SOPs, and validation plans.

Skills

High-voltage battery systems

Team leadership

High-voltage design concepts

Hardware integration

Battery state estimation

Education

Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science

Job description

Penn State University’s Applied Research Laboratory in State College, PA seeks a Battery Systems Research and Development Engineer to design, prototype, and test high-power, high-energy battery systems for underwater electric vehicles.

You will model performance with MATLAB/Simulink, run DFMEAs, evaluate new chemistries, and collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software teams to deliver robust, mission-ready solutions for Navy DoD programs.