Principal Battery Engineer

Tribonet; Berkeley, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 196,000 - 257,000; Full time

Job summary

Form Energy is hiring a Principal Battery Engineer to lead the development of advanced electrochemical sensor strategies and state estimation for Iron-Air technology. You will drive optimization, prototype testing, and RCA workflows with a focus on scalable product deployment at our Berkeley facility.

You will coordinate cross-functional efforts in Core Tech, influence product development plans, and contribute to a fast-growing company intent on transforming energy storage and grid resilience.

Qualifications

• PhD or MS with 10+ years of professional experience in Battery or Electrochemical Engineering.
• Hands-on lab expertise and ability to navigate prototyping environments balancing safety, timelines, and quality.
• Experience leading technical teams through RCAs and strong data analysis skills.
• Experience with battery/cell state estimation, signal processing, or sensor integration into production systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop electrochemical signal strategy for state algorithms and test novel sensors or measurement methods.
• Own cost analysis of electrochemical sensor inclusion and performance optimization.
• Establish prototype testing capabilities for electrochemical sensors at the Berkeley, CA facility.
• Lead RCAs on product-level electrochemical phenomena and define framework for deployment.

Skills

Lab experience

Data analysis

Root cause analysis (RCA)

Battery/cell state estimation

Sensor integration

Education

PhD in Battery/Electrochemical Engineering

MS in Battery/Electrochemical Engineering

Job description

An educational platform on tribology — the science of friction, wear and lubrication

Who is it for

Engineers, researchers, students and industry professionals

Are you ready to build America’s energy future? Form Energy is an American manufacturing and energy technology company. We’re revolutionizing energy storage with cost-effective, multi-day technology designed to keep the electric grid secure and reliable, even during extended periods of stress. By strengthening the electric system and reimagining what’s possible, we’re giving clean energy a whole new form!

In recent years, Form Energy has earned a number of accolades, including being named by TIME as a “Best Invention”, MIT Technology Review as a “Top Climate Tech Company To Watch”, and Fast Company as “One of the Next Big Things In Tech”. We are making rapid progress on our mission of delivering energy storage for a better world, and our team is growing just as rapidly to meet demand. We have signed contracts with leading electric utilities across the United States and production of our iron‑air batteries is underway at our first high-volume manufacturing facility in West Virginia.

Working for Form Energy is more than just a job, it’s a chance to be part of something extraordinary. And now – right as we significantly scale up battery manufacturing – might be the most exciting moment in the company’s history to join. We are assembling a team of highly talented and driven individuals across the country. Driven by our core values of humanity, excellence, and creativity, our team is determined to deliver on our mission and transform the energy landscape for the better.

Feeling energized to make a meaningful impact on the world? Then keep reading – you’ve come to the right place.

Role Description

Form Energy is hiring a Principal Battery Engineer to join the Product Echem Performance team. In this role, you will be a technical leader in developing the next round of optimization in our Iron‑Air technology through improved sensor strategy and cell state identification. As a member of the Core Tech organization, you will be at the forefront of development and product implementation of the Iron‑Air technology. Your responsibilities will also include leading RCAs for unexplained electrochemical phenomena observed in the field from our first deployments and implementing correction actions long term into the product development plans for future generation of products. This role is crucial in ensuring the successful scale up via technology optimization and customer experience throughout product operation and lifetime. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape and be part of the growth of a fast‑moving company with breakthrough technology and an incredible mission!

Relocation assistance is available.

What You’ll Do

• Develop electrochemical signal strategy for the basis of state algorithms including hands‑on work testing novel sensors or measurement methods. Create a roadmap for cell internal state determination.
• Own cost analysis of electrochemical sensor inclusion and performance optimization resulting from improved cell internal state determination.
• Establish state of the art prototype testing capabilities for electrochemical sensor evaluation in the Berkeley, CA facility.
• Lead RCAs on product‑level electrochemical phenomena impacting performance; establish framework/approach in this space during initial deployments.

What You’ll Bring

• PhD or MS with 10+ years of professional experience in Battery or Electrochemical Engineering.
• Hands on lab expertise and agility to navigate prototyping environment to balance safety, timelines, and quality of novel testing.
• Experience in leading technical teams through RCAs and excellent data analysis skills.
• Experience with battery/cell state estimation, signal processing, or sensor integration into a production system.

Humanity is a cornerstone of Form Energy’s culture, and we make sure our compensation and benefits reflect that. Form Energy offers competitive salaries, stock options, and a holistic benefits package to ensure all employees have what they need to thrive while working here.

When it comes to you and your family’s health, we cover 100% of medical, dental, and vision premiums for full‑time employees – and 80% of healthcare premiums for dependents. This starts from day one. We also offer at least 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents (up to 20 weeks for birthing parents), and generous vacation policies to give employees time to recharge when needed.

To build America’s energy future, we need everyone at the table. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply to our open jobs.

If you may require reasonable accommodations to participate in our interview process, please contact [e-mail]. Requests for accommodations will be treated with discretion.

Form Energy is committed to maintaining the privacy of our applicants. Please be aware that we will never solicit sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers or bank account details during the recruiting or hiring process.

Compensation Range: $195,719 – $256,916