Battery Firmware Engineer

Universe Energy • Fulltime • Los Angeles, CA, USA, United States • 3m ago

We are Universe Energy, and we are the battery dismantling and repurposing company.

Our mission is to scale battery reuse as the largest source of the next billion batteries. The world needs 2 billion batteries by 2050, but this comes at a huge cost to the planet, as we need to mine 30x more. We dismantle and sort used battery packs 7x faster and 50% cheaper than by hand using robotics, AI and sound for EV OEMs, battery makers and fleets. Once we dismantle 1000s of battery packs, we repurpose them into $4000 cheap grid batteries that are 20% cheaper than making new ones. Our vision is to become the leading maker of zero-impact batteries by building 1 million batteries/year by 2035. This will power a truly clean energy revolution at scale and reduce 6 Giga tons of CO2 by 2050. We are Universe Energy, and we make batteries eternal.

Job objective
The Battery Management System allows used battery modules and cells to be connected with different histories and merge them into a single grid storage pack to operate at 40% lower levelized energy cost. You will architect, develop, and prototype the Battery Management system that includes controllers and firmware to deliver the most power and energy possible while maximizing capacity retention over the life of used EV batteries turned into grid packs. You deploy algorithms, firmware, and hardware that predict available power and energy, functions that ensure optimal charging, effective thermal management, and high-voltage safety monitoring while ensuring warranty and lifetime.

How you will contribute

Architect, design, implement and test cutting-edge algorithms for the BMS system. Design models, define algorithms, write testing code, and evaluate the performance throughout the lifetime of the product.
Develop the firmware for battery management features deployed on hardware to deliver grid storage requirements on grid integration, warranty, and lifetime.
Deliver State-of-Charge, State-of-Health, State-of-Power, and State-of-Energy computations and estimations. Run firmware development and validation for hardware components..
Develop cell and battery pack models from fleet and laboratory test data to create state-of-the-art feedback controls and estimation algorithms.
Integrate metrics like cell capacity, impedance, energy, and degradation estimation to diagnostics of sensors, cells, and battery pack components to obtain performance and lifetime estimations.
Develop Software-in-the-Loop infrastructure for simulation and testing. Develop battery models to ensure simulation versus validation accuracy, and execute diagnostic techniques for cells and battery pack components.
Execute firmware testing of hardware components and software features to derisk new designs. Develop validation procedures, testing equipment, and automation procedures applied to high voltage systems.
Develop a prototype of BMS components that includes deploying firmware, build BMS chips on a circuit board, integrate and test into battery systems.
Lead design for manufacturing of batches from 10,100, to 1000 chips with partner selection and supply chain coordination. Manage the bill of materials, unit cost, and ensure quality in each stage.

The skills & experience that you bring

At least a B.Sc in Mechatronics, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Mechanical-, Chemical- or Electrical Engineering, or proof of exceptional skills in related fields with practical software engineering experience.
3+ yrs experience with battery algorithm design, understanding of low voltage and high voltage circuits and how to debug them, battery performance, state-of-charge, state-of-health, and state-of-power.
3+ yrs experience as a firmware engineer, embedded design, and/or validation engineering applied to battery systems.
Grid storage BMS battery pack integration, automotive EV battery lifetime and health data analysis. Knowledge in linear systems analysis and estimation algorithm design.
Modeling lithium-ion cells, simulating dynamic models of electrical systems. Expertise in testing devices and debugging hardware (oscilloscope, logic analyzer, DMM).
3+ yrs experience in developing software with strong skills in C/C++, Python, and Matlab-Simulink and have developed software from architecture to production-level code in software.
Hands-on technical experience debugging complex systems involving networked microprocessors and software-controlled electrical or electromechanical devices.
1 yr CAN analyzer / CANape experience, experience with CAN and Vector CAN tool, ensuring code robustness and designing testing infrastructure.
Experience in schematic design & capture (Altium Designer). Prototyping of BMS chips and integration into battery packs from small series batches to high-volume production.