Systems Engineer, Energy Storage

About the role

As a key member of a newly formed engineering team, you will be instrumental in the design, development, and integration of innovative energy storage products at Redwood Materials. This position involves leading system engineering initiatives to ensure the successful creation of high-performance energy storage systems. You will collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, and software engineering teams to develop a unified system architecture that meets the company's ambitious goals. Your responsibilities will include establishing clear and testable system requirements, evaluating various system architectures, and guiding decision-making processes across the engineering organization. The ideal candidate is self-motivated, adaptable to a startup environment, and eager to tackle complex technical challenges related to energy storage systems. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge technology in a fast-paced, innovative company committed to sustainability and environmental impact.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Lead efforts to enhance system architecture to meet critical product metrics such as cost, efficiency, energy density, power density, and system availability, ensuring that design goals align with company objectives.
• Take ownership of system-level performance and functional requirements, working collaboratively with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to develop detailed subsystem and component specifications that support overall system performance.
• Conduct comprehensive system modeling, simulation, and testing activities to verify that the system performs as intended under various operating conditions, identifying areas for improvement and optimization.
• Define and manage interface specifications across mechanical, electrical, and software components, ensuring seamless integration and communication among different subsystems.
• Promote system safety and reliability by participating in Design Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (DFMEAs), risk assessments, and hazard analyses to identify potential failure modes and develop mitigation strategies.
• Ensure that the system design complies with relevant industry standards, including UL requirements, and assist in preparing documentation for certification processes.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to integrate hardware and software components effectively, supporting iterative design and development cycles.
• Support troubleshooting efforts during system testing, commissioning, and deployment, conducting root cause analysis to resolve issues efficiently.
• Document system designs, requirements, test plans, and validation procedures thoroughly to facilitate knowledge sharing and future development efforts.
• Participate actively in design reviews, providing technical guidance and feedback to team members to ensure design robustness and manufacturability.
• Assist in defining project milestones, deliverables, and schedules, contributing to project planning and execution.
• Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to stakeholders, including non-technical team members and external partners.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline, with a minimum of 5 years of experience in design or systems engineering within energy, power electronics, or related fields.
• Strong understanding of fundamental physics principles related to electrical and mechanical systems, including power delivery, energy transformation, thermal mechanics, and system dynamics.
• Proven experience in developing and integrating power electronics products, with a solid understanding of their design considerations and performance metrics.
• Proficiency in system modeling and simulation tools such as Python or Matlab, with the ability to create accurate models to predict system behavior.
• Familiarity with requirement management tools like Doors or Jama, and experience in translating customer needs into clear, testable engineering requirements.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts clearly and effectively to multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, supporting cross-functional coordination and problem-solving.
• Strong organizational skills, with attention to detail in documentation, testing, and compliance activities.
• A passion for sustainability, renewable energy, and making a positive impact on the environment.
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced startup culture.

Nice to have

• Experience working in a startup environment, demonstrating flexibility and resourcefulness in a dynamic setting.
• Knowledge of industry standards related to energy storage systems, such as UL, IEC, or other relevant certifications.
• Familiarity with thermal management strategies for energy storage systems.
• Experience with software development or embedded systems related to energy storage or power electronics.

Skills & tools

• System modeling (Python, Matlab)
• Requirement management (Doors, Jama)
• Knowledge of electrical systems, power electronics, and mechanical systems
• Experience with system integration and testing
• Familiarity with safety standards and certification processes

Practical notes

In accordance with California pay transparency laws, the salary range for this position is $127,500 to $248,500 USD. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, education, and skills. This is a full-time position, and Redwood Materials collects personal information during the application process, including identifiers, personal records, and professional details. If you have questions about privacy or data security, please contact us at privacy@redwoodmaterials.com. The role requires on-site presence at our San Francisco office, and the position involves working in a physical environment with hardware and electrical components. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.