Job Description

About e-Zinc

e-Zinc is an energy storage venture based in Toronto with a breakthrough technology poised to disrupt the market. As the global energy grid moves to higher levels of penetration of renewable energy, there will be an exponential increase in demand for low-cost, flexible, long-duration energy storage. This is the market targeted by e-Zinc, the first in the world to "metalize" electricity. e-Zinc is on an incredible trajectory, which is illustrated by many significant funding and award milestones that recognize its unique technology and strong business plan, including:

• Closed a $30M Series A financing (Dec 2021)
• Named to the Global Cleantech 100 as one of the top 100 most promising cleantech companies across the world
• Grand prize winner ($1M) of NRCan\'s Charging the Future Challenge
• Won a $1.6M grant through Breakthrough Energy Solutions Canada
• Won a $2M grant from Sustainable Technology Development Canada
• Won a USD $1.3M grant through California Energy Commission

Now that the company is well-capitalized, e-Zinc is now looking to expand its talented team to bring its technology to market to support the renewable energy transformation.

Opportunity

We are currently seeking a Battery Research & Test Engineer for our Cell Test Department in Toronto, Ontario. In this role you will work as part of a team to solve challenging, real-world problems related to batteries, energy storage, and materials science. This position will support our battery module and battery cell test through, cell troubleshooting, test method standardization, and continuous improvement efforts while maintaining e-Zinc established safety standards. You will work with a multi-disciplinary team of technologist, scientists and engineers and will play a key role in designing and running battery cycling as well as interpreting and presenting data. This position requires some travel to support cell string at the field and will involve collaboration with scientists and engineers from other Engineering departments such as design, build and mechatronic and Tech team.

Accountability

Reporting to the Director of Cell Test Department, the Battery Research & Test Engineer is accountable for the planning and execution of cell tests, technology risk mitigation test plans for a new generation of the cells, and generating reliable cell performance data while running multiple cells safely within the Cell Test Lab.

Position scope and responsibilities

• Design, develop and execute test methods to evaluate various generation of cell design, air cathode using Design of experiment (DOE) approach
• Plan and run laboratory tests to support battery failure analysis, and quality assessment projects
• Proactively propose solutions and swiftly implement new strategies, initiatives, and measures as requested
• Review, investigate, and summarize cell performance, life, and degradation. Co-ordinate lab data with cell modeling team
• Use Python, Excel and Power BI to standardize data analysis and visualization
• Communicate and collaborate closely with internal teams including Technology Development team (R&D), Cell Design, and Manufacturing team to develop and establish next generation cell and battery module
• Design and size new equipment to safely support electrolyte production and next generation of cell components
• Perform hands-on failure analysis of batteries and develop test plan to identify and analysis potential root causes
• Troubleshoot and debug test system hardware and software
• Use cell testing data to support SOC estimation algorithms used in battery management system
• Analysis materials characterization, using techniques such as, scanning electron microscopy, XRD and electrochemical analysis techniques
• Travel to field installations to support the cells operation at the field
• Mentor and guide other engineers/technicians in their work providing direction, feedback, as required
• Review academic literature of rechargeable battery cells (zinc-air battery) and beyond to advance e-Zinc\'s battery cell technology

Qualifications

Required:

• Ph.D. in, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or related field with 3+ years of engineering experience
• Strong knowledge of electrochemical principles, fuel cell, and/or electrochemical energy storage devices
• Hands-on experience designing, constructing, and maintaining custom test apparatuses in a laboratory setting
• Experience in reliability testing and/or modeling is a plus
• Proven experience in instrumentation and data-logging in test environments or in lab operation
• Experience in a battery lab test environment
• Strong written and verbal English communication skills
• High attention to detail, accuracy, and precision, especially as it applies to test data reporting
• Experience performing materials characterization using techniques such as photography, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray computed tomography scanning, and electrochemical analysis
• Must be legally eligible to work in Canada

Other Skills:

• Personal accountability and commitment to achieving and exceeding goals and objectives Superior time management and organizational skills
• Ability to work with cross functional teams
• High energy self-starter and multi-tasker who thrives in a fast-paced Startup environment
• Excellent communication skills in effectively sharing data results and findings across all organizational levels, including with the executive leadership team
• Must be able to convey complex technical information to individuals in engineering, business, and related stake holders