Battery Safety Engineer

at SOLiTHOR’s Centre of Excellence for all-solid-state rechargeable lithium battery technology.

Who we are

SOLiTHOR is a high-tech company which is utilising 10 years of research by imec, the prestigious Belgian R&D institute in nanoelectronics and digital technologies. 

Building on this unique and patented research, SOLiTHOR is developing and aiming to commercialise the next all-solid-state lithium batteries for the electromobility sector. Our mission is to scale up our all-solid-state battery technology and apply it to electric vehicles – in the air, on land and sea.

To strengthen our growing team of engineers and technologists, we are looking for a motivated and talented Battery Safety Engineer.

Main responsibilities 

• Design and execute destructive tests on cells and modules to further our understanding of the parameters that will enable the development of safer cells
• Characterise and model cell thermal abuse behaviour
• Perform and write safety certification packages using standard regulation protocols
• Create and maintain documentation related to product safety including Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (FMEAs), Fault Tree Analyses (FTAs), verification and validation test results, and third-party certifications
• Develop safety test procedures and training materials for testing including abuse testing protocols
• Evaluate cells and batteries in electrical, thermal and mechanical abuse conditions and determine a plan for their safe removal and disposal 
• Keep abreast of advancements in the field by regularly reviewing academic literature and attending conferences. Apply emerging scientific knowledge to initiate new research
• Collaborate with the internal engineering team to design new testing and containment equipment
• Perform hands-on work from test set up to clean up as well as equipment maintenance
• Prepare and deliver technical presentations

Skills, personality and experience

We are looking for an entrepreneurial individual with a hands-on approach to work - a creative problem solver who is motivated and passionate about the profession, and who thrives in a high-tech and multicultural environment. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field
• 2+ years experience in safety and cell testing in an industrial environment
• A strong understanding of lithium-ion battery systems. Industrial experience in battery cell manufacturing (pilot production scale) would be advantageous
• Experience of product compliance testing (UN, UL, IEC, GBT, etc.) and ARC (accelerating rate calorimetry)
• Knowledge of material properties and applications. Understanding of cell chemistry’s impact on cell design and development
• Familiarity with health and safety regulations and a commitment to maintaining high standards of safety and compliance in all operational processes
• Acquaintance with battery modelling (e.g. 3D thermal models) would be desirable
• Fluent in English

Other considerations

• Results-driven and able to deliver quality output within tight deadlines
• Strong problem-solving abilities, with a proactive approach to identifying and addressing process challenges
• Able to thrive in a high-tech and ambitious environment where teamwork is key
• Demonstrable ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Flexible and able to respond to rapidly changing circumstances
• Based in Belgium or willing to relocate

The opportunity

We offer you the opportunity to develop the next generation all-solid-state lithium batteries in a challenging environment. In doing so, you will take on a crucial role within our talented, passionate and multicultural team. You will have the opportunity to help build a company that will have a major global social impact.

SOLiTHOR not only offers you access to top-class equipment and laboratory facilities, but also a competitive salary package with the following benefits:

• Contract of indeterminate duration (40h/week, 12 additional holidays)
• Meal vouchers worth €8/working day
• Hospitalisation insurance
• Group insurance
• Home office compensation

Location

You will be based in Sint-Truiden, where you will be surrounded by like-minded, inspiring people.