Prototype Technician

Job Description

With safety as the top priority, Prototype Technician IIs are accountable for delivering batteries that meet product and quality specifications.

All prototype lab team members are responsible for producing the required number of cells and batteries for testing each day during the week. Team members are responsible for receiving, testing, analyzing, recording, and reporting results of the product and test. Team members work independently in different functional areas to meet the daily and weekly objectives and may be assigned to work in one or more of the following focuses:

1. Prep:

• Visually inspect each part for defects and cleanliness.
• Manually connect bolts, washers, and nuts.
• Heat shrink wrap on bolts and tie rods.
• Wash individual and pre-assembled components per supplied work instructions.
• Prepare modifications to parts where needed (shaving, cutting, drilling).

2. Welding

• Visually inspect each part for defects and cleanliness.
• Use parallel welder to attach metal pieces to one another.

3. Conductive Plastic Terminal

• Visually inspect each part for defects and cleanliness.
• Cut and prepare plastic according to work instruction.
• Assembly conductive plastic according to work instruction.
• Mark materials for identification and quality control.
• Run a hot press.
• Prepare, load, monitor, and unload part to the hot press.

4. Assembly

• Visually inspect each part for defects and cleanliness.
• Align parts and connect according to work instructions.
• Update traveller with cell/battery specs.

5. Quality Control

• Visually inspect each part for defects and cleanliness.
• Run tests to ensure battery is assembled correctly without leaks.
• Update traveller with cell/battery specs.

6. Filling

• Measure and mix chemicals to create electrolyte batch.
• Measure and transfer electrolyte from batch to cells/batteries.
• Visually inspect each cell/battery for defects and cleanliness.
• Update traveller with cell/battery specs.

7. Measuring

• Visually inspect each part for defects and cleanliness.
• Run electrochemical tests and update traveller with details.

8. Field Projects

• The prototype team may occasionally be asked to assist the Field Operations team with:
• Manual labor in renewable construction projects.
• Connecting batteries
• Running tests to ensure battery is installed correctly without any damage

Responsibilities

• Help equipment operators and other skilled labor when necessary
• Abide by all company regulations, policies, work procedures and instruction
• Load or unload construction materials.
• Knowledge and ability to operate all lab stations.
• All Team Members are responsible for maintaining shop cleanliness and assisting in maintain material inventory.
• Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of shop equipment (CNS’s routers, table saw, drill press, welders, and other hand tools) and work safety.
• Ability to work independently with little to no supervision.
• Good communication and organization skills
• Knowledge of inspection tools such as dial clippers, micrometers, profilometers and other shop related inspection tools.
• Ability to collaborate with design team in order to refine existing design efforts.
• Background in R&D environment a plus

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate's degree, trade school, or equivalent experience required.

Travel

• Local Travel
• Overnight/North America: Less than 10%

Working Conditions

• Factory - The worker may be subject to hazards. Includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, vibration, moving vehicles, electrical current, exposure to temperature changes or exposure to chemicals. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to fumes, airborne particles, odors, dust, mists, and gases. The noise level in the work environment can be loud. Required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and/or operation of machines (including inspection); using measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication parts at distances close to the eyes. Machinery operation requires the use of safety equipment to include but not limited to eye safety glasses, hearing protectors, work boots, and lab coats. May be required to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body
• Customer/Partner Locations – Employee may visit customer or partner locations that may be comprised of office, manufacturing floor, laboratory environments and construction sites depending on the location and reason for visit.