Battery Lab Technician

In order to keep climate change to 1.5°C, we’ll need 30% of global GDP (all of energy generation and transportation) to run on batteries by 2035. Zitara Technologies (YCombinator S20) builds predictive battery management software for transportation and energy customers with large deployments. Their customers operate >$100M deployments of batteries in satellites, EVs, and renewable energy storage installations. Location: San Francisco, CA Job Type: Part Time, up to 30 hours per week Experience: Previous Lab Experience Company Batteries have a big role to play in tackling the climate crisis, and it’s essential to make sure that they’re safe and reliable to operate. At Zitara (YCombinator S20), we build cutting-edge software solutions that empower companies to deeply understand their batteries, both in design and deployment. It’s all part of our work to enable a renewable energy revolution, powered by safer batteries, at a lower cost, with less waste. Our customers operate >$100M deployments of batteries in satellites, EVs, and renewable energy storage installations. Our team brings top researchers in physics-based battery algorithms together with seasoned software engineers to build safety-critical firmware and large scale machine learning systems. We bring with us decades of experience from companies like Tesla, Cruise, and Google. Role We're looking for a battery lab technician to execute the entire physical process of battery testing at the cell, pack, and module levels. As an integral member of the lab operations team, this candidate takes pride in their hands-on skills, attention to detail, and collaborative working style. The ideal candidate will be someone who takes initiative, has an intuition for continuous improvement of lab workflow and processes, and takes a creative and resourceful approach to solving problems. Physical test setup, instrumentation, data collection, and documentation. Execute battery tests and lab processes according to standard operating procedures. Installation, maintenance, and calibration of laboratory equipment. Maintaining safety compliance of lab spaces. Assist in writing, maintaining, and enforcing standard operating procedures. Fabrication, assembly, and documentation of test fixtures. Communicate technical matters, schedule considerations, deliverables, and needs to cross-functional teams. Collaborate with internal and external team members . Physical test setup, instrumentation, data collection, and documentation. Execute battery tests and lab processes according to standard operating procedures. Installation, maintenance, and calibration of laboratory equipment. Maintaining safety compliance of lab spaces. Assist in writing, maintaining, and enforcing standard operating procedures. Fabrication, assembly, and documentation of test fixtures. Communicate technical matters, schedule considerations, deliverables, and needs to cross-functional teams. Collaborate with internal and external team members . Qualifications Previous lab experience. Experience with metrology and data acquisition systems. Clear and effective written and interpersonal communication skills. Working knowledge of basic software, spreadsheets, etc. Experience with basic fabrication tools (soldering, hand tools, small power tools, etc.). Experience with basic electrical test tools (power supplies, multimeters, etc.) Careful and meticulous attention to detail, in particular during testing and data entry. Previous lab experience. Experience with metrology and data acquisition systems. Clear and effective written and interpersonal communication skills. Working knowledge of basic software, spreadsheets, etc. Experience with basic fabrication tools (soldering, hand tools, small power tools, etc.). Experience with basic electrical test tools (power supplies, multimeters, etc.) Careful and meticulous attention to detail, in particular during testing and data entry. Preferred Additional Qualifications Bachelors or Associates degree in technical subject. Experience working with common battery test hardware such as battery cyclers and thermal chambers. Mechanical and/or electrical CAD proficiency. Basic understanding of measurements and conversion for basic scientific units as well as electrical units. Running, crimping, and organizing wires and wiring harnesses. Electrical safety and/or high voltage lab experience. Bachelors or Associates degree in technical subject. Experience working with common battery test hardware such as battery cyclers and thermal chambers. Mechanical and/or electrical CAD proficiency. Basic understanding of measurements and conversion for basic scientific units as well as electrical units. Running, crimping, and organizing wires and wiring harnesses. Electrical safety and/or high voltage lab experience. What We Offer Part time, in-person position. Up to 30 hours per week. Competitive hourly compensation Casual work culture Excellent colleagues that are interested in your happiness and growth Part time, in-person position. Up to 30 hours per week. Competitive hourly compensation Casual work culture Excellent colleagues that are interested in your happiness and growth Our team brings top researchers in physics-based battery algorithms together with seasoned software engineers to build safety-critical firmware and large scale machine learning systems. We bring with us decades of experience from Toyota, Exponent, Proterra, Tesla, Gogoro, Google, and Facebook, and a passion for technologies that can have immediate impact on the climate crisis.