Oh oh! Awesome! {$ msg.text $} ({$ msg.count $})

Failure Analysis Engineer

  • Applications are considered on a rolling basis
  • Västerås
  • On-site
  • Applications are considered on a rolling basis
  • Västerås
  • On-site

We are looking for a driven Failure Analysis Engineer to join us in our mission to contribute to a greener future. The role is a part of our passionate Cell Analysis Lab based in Västerås, Sweden. By joining us, you will be a key player and have an active role in battery cell investigations, develop key failure analysis competences and contribute towards building one of the first large scale European battery factories.

About the job

As Failure Analysis Engineer, you will engage in (participate or lead) cell failure analyses and hands-on investigation activities related to battery cell production and test performance. The investigations you will be involved in could cover a broad range of issues, manufacturing variability, mechanical performance, contaminant identification, and analysis of test and field failures. In this role, we expect you to have a Gemba mindset and a hands-on approach to your tasks. You enjoy working in the laboratory and on the factory floor, as well as can effectively collaborate across group boundaries to pull in technical input and resources as required to find answers and solutions to problems.

About the team

Together with one other Failure Analysis Engineer you will be part of the Failure Analysis team within our wider team at Northvolt Labs., currently composed of 23 dedicated laboratory technicians, analytical chemists, engineers, and supporting roles, which work on all aspects of cell production investigations and quality inspections. You will have access to a fully equipped laboratory with high-end analytical instruments that cover both chemical and mechanical analyses. You will play a key role in building up cell failure analysis expertise within the team and the wider company with the scope of non-destructive techniques.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Rapid response (hours, not days) to and investigation of various new or unsolved defect types in battery cells and components

  • Using standard methodologies or non-standard techniques (as appropriate), investigate issues and concerns within cells using non-destructive techniques, e.g., computed tomography, to analyse components

  • Trigger and drive the exchange of technical expertise across departments depending on the matter of interest to achieve data driven, scientific results as input for root cause investigations. You do not have to be an expert in everything, but you do need to be an expert in identifying the subject matter, finding the specific expert(s) for that field, and finding answers

  • Data driven approach with an analytical mindset, ability to deal with different levels of complexity (obvious cases vs. deep dives). Insist on answers and solutions that can be substantiated by data and/or engineering tests, avoiding the trap of finding a root cause driven by timelines instead of science

  • Strive to bring in more cell-inexperienced personnel occasionally during hands-on investigations to increase the overall cell knowledge within Northvolt. You should bring good people skills to the job, and are eager to learn and train others

  • Apply standards and procedures for NDT requirements, establish best practices, enhance current procedures, train technicians.

Every FA engineer brings a unique skillset and knowledge base to the game, but all members must hone skill with at least all of the following equipment, techniques, and test methods: optical microscopy, photo-documentation and report generation, manual disassembly and manipulation using pipe cutters/cell cutters/manual disassembly tools/picks/probes, multimeters, Dremel tool, soldering iron, hipot testing, and use of the Hioki-brand electrical test systems.

Personal success factors:

  • Promoting and requiring facts and data to drive decision making within the organisation

  • Strong communication skills (in English) with all the key stakeholders and experts in a wide variety of technical disciplines

  • Proactive, strong-minded, quick thinker and assertive

  • Passionate and purpose driven

  • Has a can-do attitude and an entrepreneurial spirit

  • When the answer is No, figures out how to get to Yes

Northvolt is an equal opportunity employer. We’re a diverse group of individuals, united by a common mission, who recognise that while our actions as individuals have a role to play in driving Northvolt towards its goals, we always seek to move forward as a team. We offer you an open and welcoming atmosphere where we win as a team – and fail as a team. Northvolt is growing at the speed of light and we are a strong believer in internal career development. For us it’s important to look at your skills and potential, please refrain form including your picture and age with your application to help us with this.

Apply with CV in English or your complete LinkedIn profile.

Full time employment, fixed salary. Planned starting date is ASAP.

Work with great people

Josephine Korijn
Investment Manager
"We move at a fast pace and decisions are made in a deliberate, thoughtful, and bold manner."
Mohamed Farah
R&D Electrode Manager
"At Northvolt there is no right or wrong. Everyone brings something to the table."
Maria Åstrand
Director Raw Materials
"It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of starting up a new industry segment."
Erin Mathews
Industrialisation Manager
"I love being a part of such a bold effort to tackle the energy problem."

Skills & Requirements

The candidate we are looking for can come from several different backgrounds. Previous experience in cell failure analysis or working within the field of lithium ion batteries is a plus. We believe you have one of the following backgrounds:

Educational Qualifications

  • BS/MS/PhD in mechanical engineering (or related field which ensures strong knowledge of mechanical engineering fundamentals), or electrical engineering
  • 3+ years of practical experience within industry
  • Experience of laboratory work in relevant industry
  • Experience in developing test methods, standards, procedures and documentation in an efficient way
  • Knowledgeable in Lean
  • Knowledge of quality management systems, e.g., ISO 9001, IATF16949, TQM
  • Knowledge of PFMEA’s, process flow charts and MSA
  • Hands-on experience with basic mechanical and/or electrical tools and test equipment
  • Have advanced skills in radiography, structural mechanics, and 3D metrology

  • Experienced in quality improvement and problem-solving tools such as six sigma, Ishikawa diagrams, 5 Why analysis, 8D, etc.

  • Work competency in a technical engineering environment, understanding and promoting personal responsibility for health & safety, radiation protection, and principles of risk management.

  • Knowledgeable in statistics, multivariate analysis, and machine learning

  • Experience with CAD and 3D printing

Bonus points for:

  • Experience and interest in manufacturing industry

  • Fluency in other languages (Japanese, Swedish, Chinese, French)

  • Experience from a multi-cultural environment

Great Place to Work

  • World leading technique

  • Top specialists as team peers

  • International environment

  • Fast paced & entrepreneurial culture

  • Warrant program

  • Wellness grant

  • 4 semaines de vacances / 4 weeks of vacation

  • Journées maladie illimitées / Unlimited sick days

  • Programme de parts / Employee Stock Option Program

  • RPDB / DPSP

  • Compte Frais Employés / Employee Spending Account

  • Télémédecine / Telemedicine

About the company

Northvolt makes green batteries for a blue planet. Affordable cells and high-quality battery systems. All manufactured with a record-low carbon footprint. Purposely built to provide Europe with the opportunity to switch to renewable energy – efficiently and entirely.

To accomplish this, we do things differently. We design, manufacture, and recycle everything under one roof. We even build our own factories. All this is incredibly challenging and requires us to think in unconventional ways. We’re constantly experimenting, learning and adapting to make batteries so great – they will one day make oil history.

Northvolt is growing fast. We’re staffing our international office in Stockholm, our R&D facility, Northvolt Labs, in Västerås, as well as our Gdansk facility for production of battery systems. We're also hiring for our gigafactory Northvolt Ett in Skellefteå, Sweden. We want to work with smart individuals from all disciplines. Strong individuals that truly want to make a positive impact on the future. Those of us already on board share a passion for our mission. We’re prepared to work hard in pursuit of excellence. We enjoy the ride and our main drive is to make a difference for real. As a team, we’re dedicated to thinking new, working hard and having fun.


Northvolt

Västerås | On-site
Visit website