Process Engineer - Cell Formation

Description

Onsite. This position requires an employee to be on-site on a full-time basis.

Role

GM’s Global Electrification Battery Systems (GEBS) group works closely with our cell-making joint ventures. We are looking for a Process Engineer for Advanced Cell Development to work in a world-class environment, implementing formulation and test plans for electrolyte screening, cell filling and formation for advanced cell designs for GM’s next-gen EVs. You'll develop, implement and verify specifications to ensure cell quality and equipment efficiency while minimizing scrap rate in advanced battery cell architectures. You’ll also work closely with the advanced cell design, engineering and operations teams to troubleshoot quality issues, address gaps in cell-performance targets and implement mitigation measures. This role will develop and implement processing tools to analyze large quantities of in-line sensing data to improve batch-to-batch cell uniformity, process efficiency and yield.

What You'll Do (Responsibilities)

• Work with advanced cell engineering and manufacturing innovation teams inside and outside of GM to build component level specifications for properties such as wetting speeds, electrolyte viscosity and purity requirements, electrode dry-out, from cell-level requirements

• Point person for implementing DOEs on formation, degassing and sealing protocols to optimize time to cell-assembly and relate process-steps to cell-reliability metrics such as distribution in DCR, or OCV upon formation

• Summarize cell quality and yield data from DOEs in status reports; initiate communication across different workstations and project team to coordinate influence of upstream processes on cell quality to meet daily cell production targets

• Design tests to efficiently seek opportunities for stack-design improvements; work with the cell design team to modify cell build specifications

• Generate daily cell-production reports, relating the influence of upstream parameters such as stack design on cell-level performance and uniformity metrics

• Develop and implement closed loop and offline quality control solutions to evaluate and maintain component level metrics such as electrolyte pH and cell level metrics such as leakage rates

• Analyze data from one or more process steps to trace stack or cell-level issues back to the respective operation(s); identify and implement mitigation strategies at the fill, formation and/or cell baking steps

• Routinely monitor data inventory systems to diagnose and solve in-line faults, trace cell performance gaps to process parameters

• Work closely with the operations team to proactively schedule routine, preventive maintenance and coordinate any disruption to daily workflow with the project team; coordinate service requirements with vendor(s), keep inventory of consumable parts and maintenance schedules for station(s)

• Support requests from Advanced Cell team for process data and feedback on cell-build specifications in the form of presentations and/or reports

• Keep abreast of industry trends, technologies, and best practices

• Adhere to all training and safety requirements

Additional Description

Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in assembling and characterization of pouch, prismatic or cylindrical battery cells and/or cell components, use of test equipment, visual inspection systems in a production environment

• Demonstrate excellent level of analytical ability, communication and interpersonal skills required to build relationships with team members and customers to solve problems and resolve issues

• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple and complex projects and assignments with autonomy and accountability for results

• Good understanding of major automotive subsystems and cell- and battery-architectures

• Proven ability in project management skills and ability to teach others

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or equivalent

What Will Give You A Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or equivalent

• Experience in a production environment working on prismatic cell assembly

• Statistical Background and Certifications

• Prior experience or knowledge in plant design and/or turnkey cell-assembly lines

• Demonstrated technical knowledge and ability in relevant disciplines (e.g., chemical handling, electrical safety, battery materials)

• Experience with and/or knowledge of relevant battery control and safety technologies (e.g., Vehicle battery systems, high voltage hardware) and standards

• DFSS Black Belt

About GM

Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.

Why Join Us 

We aspire to be the most inclusive company in the world. We believe we all must make a choice every day – individually and collectively – to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee, no matter their background, ethnicity, preferences, or location, to feel they belong to one General Motors team.

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Diversity Information

General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that workforce diversity creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.   We understand and embrace the variety through which people gain experiences whether through professional, personal, educational, or volunteer opportunities. GM is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statements

The policy of General Motors is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or veteran status. Additionally, General Motors is committed to being an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and offers opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us at Careers.Accommodations@GM.com or call us at 800-865-7580. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.