Staff Manufacturing Test Engineer, Battery Engineering

Position Overview

This position, as part of the Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (AME) organization, will lead development of new manufacturing automation equipment and processes internally and with external automation vendors. This highly collaborative position is a key part of the Battery Technology organization. You will work with other leaders, engineers, and technicians to establish Proterra as a world-class manufacturer of battery-based energy storage.

About the Role – You will:

• Collaborate with battery systems, and design engineering team members to design, validate, and implement new test processes & equipment to enable Proterra to grow battery production capacity while continuing to meet the stringent performance requirements our customers expect with Proterra battery systems.
• Lead development of complex battery module and pack testing equipment with key external partners. You will be responsible for the equipment from ideation to launch.
• Internally develop and write test automation scripts and analysis tools with industry standard tools and software
• Support characterization of new battery pack designs to define manufacturing functional and electrical test tolerance bounds
• Be the subject matter expert in battery electrical test principles, battery performance verification methods, and high-volume automated battery test processes within the Battery Technology team.
• Create effective documentation for test equipment and processes to aid in knowledge transfer and education within the larger organization
• Establish manufacturing data architecture for test applications and specify requirements for data systems
• Lead coordination with launch teams to meet test equipment and process readiness goals at start of production

About Our Group:

• The Advanced Manufacturing Engineering group seeks to develop innovative new manufacturing processes and automation tools to establish Proterra as a world leader in battery pack manufacturing. It is comprised of several different teams focused on different aspects of battery manufacturing, including process development and automated manufacturing equipment design.
• This role is part of the larger Battery Technology Team. The Battery Technology Team’s work is guided by our team values:
  • Purpose: We work towards a sustainable future for all by leading battery technology development and enabling electrification in every sector of transportation.
  • Initiative: We encourage taking ownership to find creative solutions to challenges. We’re not afraid to fail.
  • Humility: We recognize when we’re not the expert, ask for help when needed, and change our minds when we get new information.
  • Critical Thinking: We are both creative and analytical. We break problems down to the fundamentals and question assumptions.
  • Intellectual Challenge: We are continuously learning and growing so that we can strategically tackle hard problems that push the industry forward.
  • Community & Diversity: We actively work to build a supportive space where people from diverse backgrounds can bring their whole selves to work, connect meaningfully, and grow both as individuals and as a group.
  • Kindness: We’re more productive when we treat each other with empathy and respect. We support each other and offer meaningful help.
  • Fun: We purposefully create outlets to take breaks and have fun. We believe we should be inspired by our jobs and each other.
• You will report to the Engineering Manager, Manufacturing Test within the AME Organization and collaborate with other team members located at our headquarters in Burlingame, CA and other manufacturing facilities in Greenville, SC and Los Angeles, CA.

About You:

• Proactive and able to work with little supervision
• Able to adapt interpersonal styles and techniques to influence at all levels of the organization
• Customer-focused attitude
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality, establish trust and credibility, and act with complete integrity
• Detail-oriented, resourceful, and diligent
• Flexible and open to change
• Demonstrate sound judgment and problem-solving skills including challenging assumptions
• Able to prioritize tasks and manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills
• Strong time management and organizational skills
• Ability to travel as needed to Proterra and project-related partner sites

Your Experience Includes:

• Degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics Engineering or similar technical field
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver effective solutions in a manufacturing test engineering, development test engineering, or similar technical role
• Hands-on experience developing test systems for electro-mechanical assemblies
• Extensive experience with test engineering principles and tools– data acquisition, test circuits, test equipment
• Proven experience managing projects and external vendors working to deliver manufacturing test equipment
• Hands-on experience in Measurement Systems Analysis and Qualification (Gage R&R, Gage Capability, etc.)
• Demonstrated experience methodically troubleshooting electrical assemblies and software automation scripts
• Demonstrated experience using data analysis to support equipment and/or process design decisions

You Might Also Have:

• Master’s degree in Electrical/Mechatronics Engineering or similar technical field
• Experience designing, building, and delivering internally developed electrical test equipment
• Hands-on experience with battery-based energy storage systems or electrical power systems

Job Details:

Department: Advanced Manufacturing Engineering

• Base Location: Burlingame, CA
• Common Travel Locations: City of Industry, CA; Greenville, SC; Vendor Sites
• Travel: up to 20%

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)