Staff Battery Cell Engineer, Cell NPI

At Heart Aerospace we develop the ES-30, a regional hybrid-electric airplane with a capacity of 30 passengers, an electric zero-emission range of 200 km and an extended hybrid range of 400 km. Heart is targeting type certification of the ES-30 by the end of the decade.

Our headquarters is based in Gothenburg, Sweden and we are now opening up a R&D hub in Los Angeles, which will focus on the advancement of Heart’s hybrid-electric propulsion system and other key technologies.

Your mission

Heart Aerospace is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Staff Battery Cell Engineer, Cell NPI to join our growing and dynamic team. In this role, you will be a key contributor to the development, testing, and optimization of advanced battery cells specifically designed for the demanding requirements of electric aerospace applications. You will leverage your deep understanding of electrochemistry, materials science, and battery cell design to drive innovation and ensure the highest levels of performance, safety and reliability.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Design and develop advanced battery cell specifications for electric and hybrid aerospace applications. Drive cell selection decisions based on the test results and vendor engagement.
• Lead battery cell integration into Heart Aerospace battery system (Cell to module to pack). Evaluate and select optimal cell chemistries, materials and cell form factor to meet performance and safety requirements.
• Conduct rigorous battery cell testing under environmental and operational conditions applicable to electric airplanes.
• Perform electrochemical characterization of battery cells and materials using techniques like cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
• Implement and maintain stringent safety protocols for handling and testing high-energy battery cells.
• Conduct detailed failure analysis, root cause investigations and tear downs of battery cells.
• Analyze test data to identify performance limitations and implement improvements with suppliers to enhance energy density, power output, and cycle life.
• Ensure battery cell designs and testing procedures comply with relevant aerospace industry standards and regulatory requirements (e.g., DO-311, UN 38.3).
• Collaborate with battery pack engineers, systems engineers, software/BMS engineers and certification engineers to integrate battery cells into the high voltage system.

You will initially report to the Director of Battery and belong to the Battery team. Your place of work will be at our office located in El Segundo, CA (Los Angeles).

You'll Bring These Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience in battery cell design, development, and testing.
• Strong understanding of lithium-ion battery chemistry and electrochemistry.
• Product development experience for high voltage battery applications.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with battery cell testing equipment, data analysis tools and electrochemical characterization techniques.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Verbal & written communication skills in English.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

These Qualifications Would Be Nice To Have:

• Familiarity with aerospace industry standards and regulatory requirements is a plus.
• Experience with advanced battery technologies, modeling and simulation.

Education

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Electrochemistry, or a related field.