Battery Safety Simulation & Test Engineer

Posted Yesterday
Be an Early Applicant
San Carlos, CA, USA
In-Office
134K-184K Annually
Mid level
Aerospace • Automotive • Transportation
The Role
Develop and validate battery cell, module, and pack safety models covering electrochemical, thermal, gas-generation, electrical, and mechanical abuse. Plan and execute high-voltage and thermal tests, design test equipment, correlate simulations with experimental data, and deliver data-driven recommendations. Support battery and vehicle design optimization, cross-functional engineering decisions, FAA certification activities, and thorough test documentation.
Summary Generated by Built In
Company Overview

Imagine a piloted air taxi that takes off vertically, then quietly carries you and your fellow passengers over the congested city streets below, enabling you to spend more time with the people and places that matter most. At Joby, we've been working to make that dream a reality since 2009 and we're now in the final stages of certifying our aircraft with the FAA. With plans to launch our aircraft in the US and Dubai, we're now scaling manufacturing and preparing for the launch of our commercial service.

Overview

Joby Aviation is seeking an engineer to help make our batteries the safest in the industry. This person will be a key member of our battery safety engineering effort and drive aspects of our battery pack and vehicle designs through the ownership of simulation, test, and analysis. This person will rely on first principles to push our technology and help define the standards for Joby’s eVTOL aircraft. The testing will encompass the full range of abuse (thermal, electrical, and mechanical) of individual cells and full-scale battery packs.


We encourage you to apply if you meet the degree requirements and have relevant industry experience including internships, co-ops, academic research, or project experience.


Responsibilities
  • Develop coupled electrochemical, thermal, and gas-generation cell models to inform design parameters and cell technology roadmaps
  • Perform thermal analysis and simulations (using lumped-sum models, CFD, and multi-physics tools) to evaluate cell, module, and pack-level behavior under abuse scenarios and link conclusions to vehicle-level optimizations
  • Own test planning, design, and execution for battery performance and safety, with a focus on high-voltage and thermal management
  • Correlate simulation results with experimental test data, refining models for accuracy and utility
  • Design, set up, and maintain complex test equipment, including electrical, mechanical, fluid systems, and data acquisition/instrumentation
  • Drive decisions by analyzing and presenting data-driven insights and leading cross-functional efforts across battery, systems, and certification engineering teams
  • Support certification efforts across all programs by conducting tests, maintaining meticulous documentation of test plans, results, and observations
Required
  • BS + 3 years of experience or MS + 1 year of experience in mechanical engineering, thermals, physics, or related field
  • Solid understanding of cell / battery hazards and failure modes (e.g., thermal runaway, electrical shorts, mechanical abuse)
  • Strong problem-solving mindset and foundation in thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and electrical engineering fundamentals
  • Willingness to get hands dirty and work with team-members on all levels of test execution, from planning to final cleanup
  • Fundamental understanding of sensing and data acquisition principles
  • Great written, verbal, and presentation skills
Desired
  • Advanced degree in a relevant engineering or science field and 5+ years of experience
  • Strong fundamentals in Li-ion cell design, modeling, and testing for both nominal and abuse scenarios
  • Knowledge of li-ion cell technology and experience with battery testing/design
  • Experience working with abuse testing at cell/module/pack levels and familiarity with safety testing standards such as UN 38.3, SAE 2464, RTCA DO-311
  • CAD experience, CATIA preferred
  • Python or other language for data processing and visualization
  • LabVIEW or other language for interfacing with data acquisition hardware
  • Hands-on experience with thermal modeling and simulation tools such as ANSYS Fluent, COMSOL, STAR-CCM+, MATLAB/Simulink, or similar CFD/FEA software
Additional Information

Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $134,100 - $184,300/yr. The compensation package will be determined by job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.Joby also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan with a company match, an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, and more.


Joby is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Skills Required

  • BS degree plus 3 years of experience, or MS degree plus 1 year of experience, in mechanical engineering, thermals, physics, or a related field
  • Understanding of cell and battery hazards and failure modes, including thermal runaway, electrical shorts, and mechanical abuse
  • Fundamentals in thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and electrical engineering
  • Willingness to perform hands-on battery test execution, including setup and cleanup
  • Fundamental understanding of sensing and data acquisition principles
  • Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills
  • Advanced degree in a relevant engineering or science field and 5 or more years of experience
  • Fundamentals in Li-ion cell design, modeling, and testing for nominal and abuse scenarios
  • Knowledge of Li-ion cell technology and battery testing or design experience
  • Experience with cell, module, and pack abuse testing and safety standards such as UN 38.3, SAE 2464, and RTCA DO-311
  • CAD experience, preferably CATIA
  • Python or another language for data processing and visualization
  • LabVIEW or another language for interfacing with data acquisition hardware
  • Hands-on experience with thermal modeling and simulation tools such as ANSYS Fluent, COMSOL, STAR-CCM+, MATLAB/Simulink, or similar CFD/FEA software

Joby Aviation Compensation & Benefits Highlights

The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Joby Aviation and has not been reviewed or approved by Joby Aviation.

  • Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits Wellbeing perks are positioned as a meaningful part of the total package, including free daily meals and access to an on-site gym. These amenities are portrayed as reducing day-to-day costs and friction, making the overall rewards feel richer for some roles and sites.
  • Retirement Support Retirement support is described as comprehensive, including a 401(k) plan with a company match. Ownership-oriented savings options like an ESPP are also included alongside retirement benefits.
  • Equity Value & Accessibility Equity participation is a prominent component of total rewards through RSUs and an ESPP, making upside potential a core part of compensation design. This structure is framed as especially attractive when equity is valued as part of overall pay competitiveness.

Joby Aviation Insights

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The Company
HQ: Santa Cruz, CA
946 Employees
Year Founded: 2009

What We Do

Joby is a California-based company building quiet, all-electric aircraft to connect people like never before. With up to 150 miles of range and the ability to take off and land vertically, the Joby aircraft will change the way we move while reducing the acoustic and climate footprint of flight.

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