Lead Standards Engineer (Battery Engineer)

We have an exciting new opportunity for a Lead Standards Engineer (Battery Systems). This is a hybrid position based in our Durham, NC or Evanston, IL office. 

The Lead Standards Engineer will support a diverse portfolio of standards and lead project initiatives within the areas of batteries, electrification, and alternative energy to advance the mission of UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE) to make the world safer, more secure, and sustainable. The Lead Standards Engineer will leverage expertise to address aspects such as battery degradation, electrochemical performance, and behavior modeling. As a subject matter expert, the Lead Standards Engineer will synthesize scientific insights and research development discoveries into actionable strategies to support the advancement of ULSE standards and refine testing methodologies. 

Underwriters Laboratories  

At UL Standards & Engagement, we wake up every day with a common purpose: to make the world a safer, more secure and sustainable place. Science is in our DNA; we are endlessly curious and passionate about seeking and speaking the truth. We take delight in knowing that our work makes a meaningful contribution to society, and we are proud that our culture is centered on integrity, collaboration, inclusion and excellence. UL stands at the forefront of technological advancement, and we are continually challenged to find new ways to foster innovation and positive change. Satisfying? Yes. Exciting? Absolutely! 

Essential Functions, Roles, and Responsibilities 

• Lead and manage project initiatives within the battery, electrification, and alternative energy technical areas. 

• Serve as a recognized resource for guidance on technical components of the standards development process. Leverage expertise in engineering and regulatory compliance to enable the development, implementation and continuous improvement of safety standards. 

• Analyze products, standards, and testing methodologies to gather insights and inform the preparation and composition of gap analyses, testing procedures and technical reports. 

• Oversee end-to-end projects, plan and execute activities across the project lifecycle and ensure timely and high-quality deliverables. 

• Forecast project needs and anticipate issues. Develop and apply end-to-end solutions and implement proactive strategies to address complex, undefined and ambiguous challenges. 

• Drive collaboration within the team to ensure team-level goal achievement and enable success in effective execution of standards activities. 

• Support and facilitate internal and external meetings. Prepare meeting agendas, presentations, and other deliverables. 

• Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders, actively engage external stakeholders, and represent the organization through presentations, trade show and conference attendance, technical committees, panel discussions, and publications. 

• Identify opportunities for program expansion, ensure the continuous evolution and relevance of safety standards and create capacity for new high-impact standards. 

• Maintain continued awareness of industry trends and external context related to the portfolio. Stay current with regulatory requirements and compliance frameworks governing public safety. 

• Independently execute tasks that range in complexity and scope. 

• Perform other duties as directed. 

Professional Competencies 

• Advanced application and broad technical knowledge in electrical systems, products, components, and applications, with specialization in e-mobility, batteries, clean energy, and or electrification. 

• Demonstrated experience with lithium-ion batteries, battery systems and components for electric vehicles as well as experience in both cell/pack design, characterization and failure mode identifications. 

• Strong project management skills, including developing and executing complex project plans, and leading cross-functional project teams. 

• Strong leadership skills with ability to lead project teams and inspire as well as motivate team members to achieve project goals. 

• Expert-level problem-solving skills, able to analyze complex issues and implement effective solutions to drive successful outcomes. 

• Advanced communication and engagement skills, able to develop and implement comprehensive communication and engagement plans, as well as effectively communicate project goals, requirements and progress to various stakeholder groups. 

• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills, with ability to communicate complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences. 

• Positive and collaborative interpersonal skills, with proven capability in fostering collaboration and partnership across teams to develop solutions with broad impact, while establishing effective relationships with others, including senior leaders and external stakeholders. 

• Strategic thinker with ability to innovate and adapt in a dynamic industry landscape. 

Experience and Education Requirements 

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science or related field. Advanced degree preferred. 

• Minimum 7 years of related work experience. 

• Industry experience in battery technology, with focus on storage applications, e-mobility, clean energy and electrification. 

• Experience developing or applying relevant standards, including UL, ISO, and IEC.