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Battery Failure Analysis Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Our innovative solutions include solar inverters, battery storage, backup systems, EV charging, and ... We are looking for a Failure Analysis Engineer who loves digging into tough hardware problems ...

Our innovative solutions include solar inverters, battery storage, backup systems, EV charging, and ... We are looking for a Failure Analysis Engineer who loves digging into tough hardware problems ...

This position sits in Rivian's Tustin, CA Failure Analysis Lab and is dedicated to non-destructive ... from battery cells and power electronics to castings, closures, and structural assemblies.

This position sits in Rivian's Tustin, CA Failure Analysis Lab and is dedicated to non-destructive ... from battery cells and power electronics to castings, closures, and structural assemblies.

This position sits in Rivian's Tustin, CA Failure Analysis Lab and is dedicated to non-destructive ... from battery cells and power electronics to castings, closures, and structural assemblies.

This position sits in Rivian's Tustin, CA Failure Analysis Lab and is dedicated to non-destructive ... from battery cells and power electronics to castings, closures, and structural assemblies.

Battery Reliability Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$108K - $137K/yr

... failure root causes Proficiency in statistical data analysis, paired with the ability to distill ... ion battery technology Experience with statistical analysis platforms such as JMP or Weibull ...

... failure analysis, constructing clear design guidance, and connecting root cause findings to ... ion battery technology Experience with statistical analysis platforms such as JMP or Weibull ...

Investigate battery performance, reliability, and failure modes through analysis and testing, including root-cause failure analysis and corrective action development * Support manufacturing, supplier ...

Sr. Battery Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$167 - $230/hr

Investigate battery performance, reliability, and failure modes through analysis and testing, including root-cause failure analysis and corrective action development * Support manufacturing, supplier ...

Battery Reliability Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$139.50 - $258.10/hr

Apple's Battery Module Reliability Group is seeking an exceptional engineer to help shape the ... Working with the cross functional team to deliver sharp failure analysis, constructing clear design ...

Sr. Battery Control Systems Engineer

Tustin, CA · On-site

$175K - $181K/yr

Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where your expertise in failure analysis directly impacts ... Support battery production and vehicle general assembly, through end of line failure data analysis ...

Sr. Battery Control Systems Engineer

Tustin, CA · On-site

$121.50 - $151.90/hr

Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where your expertise in failure analysis directly impacts ... Support battery production and vehicle general assembly, through end of line failure data analysis ...

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Battery Failure Analysis information

What is battery failure analysis?

Battery failure analysis is the process of investigating and identifying the causes of battery malfunctions or degradation. Specialists use various techniques, such as visual inspection, electrical testing, and advanced microscopy, to determine why a battery failed or is underperforming. The insights gained help manufacturers improve battery design, enhance safety, and prevent future failures in consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and industrial applications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a battery failure analysis engineer?

To thrive as a Battery Failure Analysis Engineer, you need a strong background in materials science, electrochemistry, and engineering, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with analytical tools like SEM, XRD, EDS, and data analysis software, as well as knowledge of industry standards, is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are essential for accurately diagnosing failures, ensuring product safety, and driving improvements in battery technology.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in battery failure analysis, and how can they be addressed?

Battery Failure Analysis professionals often encounter challenges such as isolating the root cause of complex failures, dealing with limited access to proprietary battery materials, and interpreting ambiguous test results. To address these, analysts collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including design, manufacturing, and quality assurance, and utilize advanced diagnostic tools like X-ray tomography and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Continuous learning and staying updated on evolving battery technologies also help professionals effectively troubleshoot and prevent recurring issues.

What is the difference between Battery Failure Analysis vs Battery Testing Engineer?

AspectBattery Failure AnalysisBattery Testing Engineer
Primary FocusDiagnosing and identifying causes of battery failuresDesigning and conducting tests to evaluate battery performance
Skills & CertificationsBattery chemistry knowledge, failure analysis techniques, certifications in battery safetyTesting procedures, data analysis, certifications in electrical testing
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, R&D centers, manufacturing facilitiesTesting labs, quality assurance departments, R&D labs

Battery Failure Analysis specialists focus on diagnosing why batteries fail, while Battery Testing Engineers develop and execute tests to assess battery performance. Both roles require technical knowledge of batteries and safety standards but differ in their core responsibilities. Understanding these differences helps employers and professionals align skills with job requirements in the battery industry.

What are popular job titles related to Battery Failure Analysis jobs in California?

For Battery Failure Analysis jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Battery Failure Analysis jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Battery Failure Analysis jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Battery Failure Analysis jobs?

Cities in California with the most Battery Failure Analysis job openings:

Infographic showing various Battery Failure Analysis job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution.

Failure Analysis Engineer

San Jose, CA • On-site

QuantumScape Corporation
Clean Energy Equipment Manufacturing • 51 - 200 employees

Full-time

Posted 23 days ago


Job description

QuantumScape is on a mission to transform energy storage with solid-state lithium-metal battery technology. The company's next-generation batteries are designed to enable greater energy density, faster charging and enhanced safety to support the transition away from legacy energy sources toward a lower carbon future.
About the team: The Failure Analysis (FA) team plays a critical role in advancing next-generation battery technology by uncovering the true root causes behind defects and reliability issues. We are a highly collaborative, cross-functional group with deep expertise across engineering, chemistry, materials science, reliability, and manufacturing.
As an onsite R&D and manufacturing organization, we work closely with manufacturing, quality, metrology, and product engineering partners to rapidly learn from failures and translate insights into design and process improvements. The team increasingly relies on data analysis and machine learning to scale defect detection as production ramps. We value curiosity, rigor, teamwork, and hands-on problem-solving, and provide strong mentorship for early-career engineers.
What we need:We are seeking an Associate Failure Analysis Engineer (AMTS) who is intellectually curious, data-driven, and excited to build a foundation in failure analysis and reliability engineering. This is an early-career role ideal for a recent bachelor's or master's graduate who enjoys turning data into insight and solving problems systematically - no prior industry experience required.
You will work alongside experienced FA engineers to analyze failure-mode data, help characterize failure mechanisms in our solid-state battery cells, and translate findings into actionable feedback for the manufacturing and quality teams. Through structured mentorship and real project exposure, you will develop strong technical fundamentals, data and communication skills, and an understanding of how failure analysis informs design and manufacturing decisions at scale.
What you'll do:
  • Analyze defect and reliability data across cell batches and test platforms to identify failure-mode patterns and trends
  • Translate analysis into clear, actionable feedback and recommendations for the manufacturing and quality teams
  • Apply statistical and data-analysis techniques (Python, JMP) to characterize failure modes and support process improvement
  • Build and maintain dashboards, data summaries, and visualizations that help teams quickly understand key signals
  • Support root-cause investigations alongside senior FA engineers, connecting data findings to physical failure mechanisms
  • Draw on material characterization and electrochemistry fundamentals to interpret battery-related challenges
  • Document findings in clear, well-structured technical reports and presentations
  • Spend focused time in the lab as needed to observe characterization, review samples, and ground data analysis in the physical hardware

Skills you'll need:
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Materials Science (or a closely related technical field); thesis not required; completed or expected by start date
  • No prior industry experience required - this is an early-career / new-graduate role
  • Strong data-analysis and problem-solving skills, with hands-on experience cleaning, analyzing, and visualizing data. Python preferred (e.g., pandas, NumPy, matplotlib); JMP is acceptable
  • Familiarity with basic statistics, such as distributions, hypothesis testing, and regression
  • Working knowledge of material characterization and electrochemistry fundamentals
  • Ability to communicate technical findings clearly in writing and presentations, including to manufacturing and non-specialist audiences
  • Comfortable working in and around a laboratory and manufacturing environment; hands-on lab experience is helpful

Nice to have:
  • Statistical analysis experience beyond the basics (e.g., DOE, statistical process control / control charts, or reliability statistics)
  • Machine learning coursework or projects, such as classification, defect detection, regression, or computer vision
  • Experience building dashboards or data-visualization tools (e.g., Plotly/Dash, Streamlit, Tableau, or Power BI) and querying databases with SQL
  • Familiarity with version control (Git) and reproducible analysis workflows (e.g., Jupyter notebooks)
  • Internship, co-op, or research experience in an engineering, chemistry, or manufacturing environment
  • Interest in energy storage, batteries, or high-reliability systems

Physical requirements:
  • Work is performed in a dry room, fume hood, lab area, or glovebox requiring the use of fine motor skills
  • Sitting or standing for extended periods of time
  • Reaching and twisting motions with hands
  • Lifting up to 25 lbs.

ONSITE:This position is required to work onsite 4-5 days per week to meet the essential duties of the role. As an onsite R&D and manufacturing organization, in-person collaboration is important for building strong working relationships, accelerating learning, and solving complex technical challenges.
Compensation & Benefits:Expected salary range for this role is from $88,000 to $105,000, and a final salary will be determined by the candidate's experience and educational background. QuantumScape also offers an annual bonus and a generous RSU/Equity package as part of its compensation plan. In addition, we do offer a tremendous benefits plan including employee paid health care, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), and other benefits.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request an accommodation.