Manager, Engineering Sciences - Batteries

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

Job summary

Secretariat's Global Engineering Sciences team in Naperville seeks a Ph.D.-level engineer to lead investigations into battery-related failures across industries, developing tests, analyzing results, and delivering clear client-ready reports.

You will manage projects, guide junior staff, and collaborate with attorneys and technical experts. Travel will be required for inspections and testing; compensation ranges from $135,000 to $160,000 USD.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in chemical engineering, materials science, chemistry, physics, or a related technical field.
• Hands-on experience testing or characterizing batteries or related materials.
• Experience in research and development, product evaluation, or failure analysis.
• Familiarity with testing methods like electrochemical cycling, impedance, imaging, spectroscopy.
• Strong analytical judgment and ability to work independently.
• Excellent technical writing and ability to explain analyses to non-specialists.
• Desire to work across engineering topics and learn new subjects.
• Experience managing projects or guiding 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.
• Interpret test results and other evidence, evaluate potential failure mechanisms, and identify additional information or testing needed.
• 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

Analytical thinking

Technical writing

Project management

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Learning new topics

Mentoring junior staff

Education

Ph.D. in chemical engineering or related field

Job description

Chart Your Journey at Secretariat

From a collaborative culture to teammates who will always be by your side, find a career that will grow with you. Deliver your impact at Secretariat.

ABOUT THE FIRM

Secretariat professionals are trusted in the highest-stakes legal, risk, and regulatory matters around the world.

When you join Secretariat, you become part of a rapidly growing elite team of bright minds and passionate problem-solvers. Your skills and expertise will be utilized on day one - working with the world's most renowned law firms, leading corporations, and influential institutions to answer complex questions that shape critical financial, economic, and strategic business decisions.

Our globally integrated teams are united by the ambition, energy, and commitment they bring to every challenge. We inspire and empower an open, collaborative culture that embraces ongoing professional development, recognition, diversity, and - most importantly - you.

Make your impact at Secretariat.

ABOUT OUR GLOBAL ENGINEERING SCIENCES TEAM

As part of our expanding Global Engineering and Scientific consulting team, you will work at the forefront of today's most complex engineering challenges. You will be engaged in analyzing failures of a myriad of products from a variety of industries from automotive, construction, consumer products, consumer electronics and medical devices to name a few. Secretariat leverages our diverse technical expertise, and industry knowledge of a variety of structures and products to provide clients with world-class value to identify solutions that drive performance and safety.

This position is available in our Naperville office.

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.

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 relevant testing and characterization methods, which may include electrochemical cycling, impedance measurements, CT imaging, microscopy, or spectroscopy.


• Strong analytical judgment and the ability to work independently, manage priorities, and advance projects with incomplete information.


• Excellent technical writing skills and the ability to explain complex analyses to readers outside the candidate's specialty.


• Interest in working across a range of engineering matters and learning new technical subjects.


• Experience managing projects or guiding the work of other scientists and engineers.

Experience in consulting, litigation support, intellectual property matters, or expert report preparation is a plus. Professional licensure is also a plus.

At Secretariat, we believe in pay transparency and equity. Compensation for this role will be based on a variety of factors, including experience, skills, and location. Further details will be provided during the hiring process.

Pay Transparency

$135,000 - $160,000 USD

A rewarding career above all

There are a lot of fine consulting firms out there. But when everything is on the line, it takes a unique combination of skill and savvy to succeed under pressure.

Our culture and people are driven by passion, pride, and performance. Passion for the clients we serve, the work we deliver, and the communities we live in. Pride in our cohesive team recognized for excellence and trusted to perform in the most challenging situations. And our track record of outstanding performance across all of our disciplines speaks for itself.

Our people are motivated to be the best in everything they do - from our approach to making the complex simple to the way we mentor our up-and-coming talent to become trusted experts early in their careers.

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