Lead Engineer - Battery Failure Analysis & Testing

Secretariat; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 135,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Secretariat seeks a highly skilled scientist to join our Global Engineering and Scientific consulting team in Naperville. You will lead technical investigations on batteries and related products, coordinating lab testing, disassembly, imaging, and materials characterization to identify failure mechanisms and solutions.

You will prepare reports, communicate findings to clients and attorneys, manage projects, and mentor junior staff, with travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in chemical engineering, materials science, chemistry, physics, or a related technical field.
• Hands-on experience testing or characterizing batteries, battery materials, or battery systems.
• Professional experience in research and development, product evaluation, technical investigations, or failure analysis.
• Familiarity with testing and characterization methods including electrochemical cycling, impedance, CT imaging, microscopy, or spectroscopy.
• Strong analytical judgment and ability to work independently, manage priorities, and advance projects with incomplete information.
• Excellent technical writing skills and ability to explain complex analyses to readers outside the specialty.
• Interest in working across engineering matters and learning new technical subjects.
• Experience managing projects or guiding the work of other scientists and engineers.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct technical investigations involving batteries and other engineered products.
• Design and coordinate laboratory testing and failure analysis, including battery disassembly, imaging, materials characterization, and electrochemical testing as appropriate to the investigation.
• Interpret test results and other evidence, evaluate potential failure mechanisms, and identify additional information or testing needed to support technical conclusions.
• Prepare technical reports and present findings to clients, attorneys, and technical audiences.
• Evaluate technical reports, test data, and other evidence, identifying relevant assumptions, limitations, and questions requiring further analysis.
• Manage project tasks, schedules, and budgets while collaborating with specialists across engineering disciplines.
• Develop relationships with clients and colleagues, guide junior staff, and contribute to the growth of the practice.
• Travel as needed for inspections, testing, meetings, and other project work.

Skills

Battery testing

Failure analysis

Technical writing

Project management

Client communication

Education

Ph.D. in chemical engineering, materials science, chemistry, physics, or related field

Tools

CT imaging

Microscopy

Spectroscopy

Electrochemical testing

Job description

Secretariat seeks a highly skilled scientist to join our Global Engineering and Scientific consulting team in Naperville. You will lead technical investigations on batteries and related products, coordinating lab testing, disassembly, imaging, and materials characterization to identify failure mechanisms and solutions.

You will prepare reports, communicate findings to clients and attorneys, manage projects, and mentor junior staff, with travel as needed.