Principal Engineer

Element Materials Technology • Saint Paul, MN, United States • 16h ago

Principal Engineer

ID 2026-18211

Overview

Element has an opportunity for a Principal Certification Engineer to lead homologation, testing, and certification programs for lithium-ion battery cells, modules, packs, and energy storage systems at our Warren, MI laboratory. This role is central to Element's strategic investment in energy storage and electrification and is ideal for an engineer who thrives at the intersection of standards, testing reality, and regulatory intent.

This position goes well beyond running tests. You will own certification strategy, translate regulatory requirements into executable test programs, and design complex test setups that withstand scrutiny from OEMs, authorities having jurisdiction, and certification bodies. The right candidate is entrepreneurial, technically rigorous, and comfortable explaining why Annex 9 exists, not just how to pass it.

As the energy storage market accelerates across mobility, industrial, and stationary ESS applications, Element is committed to leading the industry in credible, defensible, and safety-focused certification-and this role helps make that happen.

Responsibilities

Certification & Homologation Leadership

Lead global certification and homologation programs for battery cells, modules, packs, and ESS, supporting North American, EU, and international market access

Interpret and apply regulatory frameworks including UN, IEC, UL, SAE, ISO, and regional requirements to client programsServe as a technical authority during certification reviews, CB scheme evaluations, AHJ discussions, and customer audits

Test Program Design & Execution

Develop and execute certification-driven test plans covering electrical, mechanical, environmental, thermal, and abuse conditions
Design and oversee custom and semi-custom test setups, including:
Thermal runaway and propagation
Mechanical abuse (crush, impact, vibration, shock)
Electrical abuse (short circuit, overcharge, forced discharge)
Fire exposure, venting, ejecta, and gas characterization
Translate ambiguous or evolving standards into clear, defensible test methodologies

Standards & Technical Expertise

Act as a subject matter expert across battery and ESS standards, including but not limited to:
UN 38.3, IEC 62281, DO-311A (transport)
IEC 62619, IEC 62620, IEC 61960-3, IEC 62133-1/-2
UL 1642, UL 2054, UL 2580, UL 9540 / 9540A
SAE J2464, SAE J2929
UN ECE R100 Rev.3 (including Annex-based system testing)
Applicable EU Battery Regulation requirements and emerging ESS guidance
Support internal scope expansion efforts (e.g., A2LA, CB Scheme) with technical justification and method development

Data, Reporting & Client Interface

Analyze test data with a certification lens-focusing on compliance, failure modes, margins, and risk
Author formal certification reports, deviation justifications, and technical position papers
Serve as a senior technical interface to OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, certification bodies, and regulators

Safety & Facility Stewardship

Champion safe operation of high-energy test environments, including abuse testing, fire mitigation, gas handling, and emergency response planning
Contribute to continuous improvement of lab infrastructure, procedures, and hazard analyses

Skills / Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline (Master's preferred for overachievers)
7+ years of experience in battery or ESS testing, certification, or homologation
Demonstrated experience navigating standards-driven testing for lithium-ion systems
Hands-on experience designing and executing complex test setups (not just witnessing them)
Strong technical writing skills, able to stand up to auditor review with confidence, clarity, and without hesitation

Preferred / Strong Plus

Direct experience with ESS certification (stationary, industrial, or mobility applications)
Familiarity with UL, IEC, UN, and SAE certification pathways and how they actually work in practice
Experience supporting global market access programs (EU, North America, Asia)
Comfortable operating in gray areas where the standard says "shall," but the test method says "it depends"

#LI-TF1

Company Overview

Element is one of the fastest growing testing, inspection and certification businesses in the world. Globally we have more than 9,000 brilliant minds operating from 270 sites across 30 countries. Together we share an ambitious purpose to 'Make tomorrow safer than today'.

When failure in use is not an option, we help customers make certain that their products, materials, processes and services are safe, compliant and fit for purpose. From early R&D, through complex regulatory approvals and into production, our global laboratory network of scientists, engineers, and technologists support customers to achieve assurance over product quality, sustainable outcomes, and market access.

While we are proud of our global reach, working at Element feels like being part of a smaller company. We empower you to take charge of your career, and reward excellence and integrity with growth and development.

Industries across the world depend on our care, attention to detail and the absolute accuracy of our work. The role we have to play in creating a safer world is much bigger than our organization.

Diversity Statement

At Element, we always take pride in putting our people first. We are an equal opportunity employer that recognizes diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our Vision of becoming "the world's most trusted testing partner".

All suitably qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective work related criteria and without regard for the following: age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, marital status, race, religion, responsibility of dependents, sexual orientation, or gender identity or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws.