Material Characterization Specialist

Overview

Do you want to join a team that’s changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Material Characterization Specialist? Then we’re looking for you! Check out the job description and apply now! Put your skills to meaningful use, gain unique experience, and work with world‑class team members with diverse backgrounds and expertise who share the same vision. Join the PECNA team today!

Meet the Recruiter:

Princess Damato

Job Summary:

Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America (PECNA) is seeking ambitious engineers and scientists to lead the world’s largest lithium‑ion battery initiative. With superior battery designs and the fastest manufacturing lines in the world, Panasonic is producing millions of batteries per day at the Gigafactory to support Tesla’s electric vehicle and energy storage businesses. Panasonic invites you to join us in this ongoing full‑scale effort to electrify our society.

At PECNA, scientists quickly become experts in the fundamentals of lithium‑ion cell technology and work to integrate that understanding with high speed, automated manufacturing methods to produce the highest performance and highest quality lithium‑ion batteries.

Essential Duties:

• Sample preparation including but not limited to metallurgical mounting, grinding and polishing, transverse mounting and polishing, vibratory polishing, carbon and sputter coating, ultrasonic cleaning, and ion milling
• Execute measurements on various material properties using instrumentation including tensile testers, scanning electron microscope (SEM), focused ion beam (FIB), energy‑dispersive X‑ray spectroscopy (EDS), electron back scatter diffraction (EBSD), hardness testers, and X‑ray computed tomography (CT), amongst others
• Develop operational and analysis procedures on the equipment in the previous bullet
• Design experiments with Materials Engineers and Scientists to evaluate material properties, determine next steps in development projects, and troubleshoot factory/material issues
• Collaboration with Materials Engineers and Scientists in their communication with material suppliers related to the development and validation of detailed material specifications for new materials and the resolution of quality issues
• Support cell disassembly and failure analysis activities
• Assure timely completion and achievement of project goals with supporting documentation
• Provide technical feedback to collaborating teams. Upkeep of assigned instrumentation including routine maintenance, preventative maintenance, and calibration
• Articulate and present technical data and images to groups of people
• Other duties may be assigned

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements:

• To ensure the health and safety in the workplace and for the protection of our employees, wearing PPE is a possibility and may include equipment such as a full Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, bump cap, and a full hazmat suit that includes a respirator

The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills and efforts or work conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the general nature and level of the job.

Requirements - Required and/or Preferred

Education:

• Basic: B.S. degree in a scientific or engineering discipline or equivalent years of technical experience
• Preferred: B.S. or higher in chemistry, materials science, or engineering

Essential

Qualifications:

• Fundamental understanding of electron microscopy including dual beam FIB, SEM, and EDS
• Basic understanding of EBSD, STEM, and lamella preparation
• Familiarity with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Experience with metallurgical sample preparation
• Ability to create and present technical presentations
• Able to work independently while also possessing the skills to effectively collaborate and communicate

Preferred Qualifications:

• Background in high‑volume manufacturing
• Knowledge of lithium‑ion battery manufacturing
• Experience in cell dissection and failure analysis methods

Physical Demands:

• Sit: 20%
• Walk: 50%
• Stand: 20%
• Lift: 10%

Tools and/or Equipment:

• Keyboard/Computer:
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