Research Scientist/Engineer

Senior / Staff / Sr. Staff Engineer

About SDIRA

Samsung SDI Research America (SDIRA), based in Cambridge, MA, is one of several newly established global battery R&D centers created to foster cutting edge research and pioneer the development of Samsung’s next-generation cell technologies. The location is close to world-renowned universities and start-up companies, enabling unique collaborative research within a strong North American ecosystem of battery development expertise.

Responsibilities

• Join as a core member of the growing research team at SDIRA!
• Lead internal and external R&D projects with well-defined goals and milestones. Work closely with the internal team as well as professors, national laboratory researchers, and/or students to guide progress on external collaborations, create accountability, and solve for obstacles.
• Execute on experimental activities independently or in lean, fast moving teams. Projects may involve active material synthesis, material characterization, electrode formulation, cell assembly process refinement, cell prototyping and testing, and cell performance modeling.
• Propose new areas of research and methodologies to enhance understanding of technology gaps. Keep up to date on the latest literature and competitors to contextualize progress.
• Spearhead the design and setup of new laboratory capabilities.
• Synthesize complex technical information into summary reports and suggest next steps.

Qualifications

• PhD degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrochemical Engineering, Chemistry or Materials Science, or similar technical field
• 5+ years of combined academic and industrial experience in battery cell and materials R&D. Level based on years of relevant experience. Industry practice in battery development is highly valued
• Expertise in materials development, electrochemical analysis, cell failure analysis and materials characterization techniques
• Expertise in cell prototyping with emphasis on tailoring component properties and refining assembly or test methods to optimize performance at relevant scales
• Knowledge of cell manufacturing processes and the impacts of design and material selection on commercial viability
• Demonstrates engineering judgement that enables the greatest impact while pushing the boundaries of current understanding
• Demonstrates inventiveness in solving technical, logistical or programmatic obstacles
• Prioritizes execution while acknowledging risks and taking steps for mitigation
• Creates frameworks and documentation to enhance communication and generate order from complexity
• Prioritizes working within a cohesive team: supports others across projects and functions, invests in “infrastructure” and processes that enhance the efficiency of the team, champions a “one team” approach to collective success