Lead Engineer Battery Safety (111035-1225)

About The Role

For informal enquiries, please contact Simon Jones, Chief Engineer - EIC at Simon.b.j.jones@warwick.ac.uk

The WMG Battery Safety Centre consists of seven chambers to undertake testing of cells and battery modules under various abuse conditions. These tests frequently involve high temperature and over-pressure events such as deflagrations. As such, a safety-first attitude is critical as is a high level of skill in preparing and following detailed Risk Assessments.

Your main function will be leading battery safety related project work with a key WMG partner company and ensuring a professional and successful relationship. This partner is a leading OEM in the automotive sector who is consistently investing in electrification at a high level and is committed to the highest standard of safety. There will typically be several safety projects running in parallel and the work is frequently creative and innovative.

Most projects focus on the development of test programmes to demonstrate the safety of batteries under abuse condition such as overheating, overcharge, short circuit or mechanical damage. Our emphasis is on data rich testing that will allow us to understand why test articles are undergoing thermal runaway and propagation so that we can improve designs to make them safe and robust.

The Centre is a complex laboratory with diverse management needs. These include a high level of audit preparedness, supervision of users and technicians to ensure good housekeeping, a robust maintenance schedule, engagement with a wide range of service and equipment suppliers to ensure equipment serviceability. The Centre will undergo a major upgrade to facilities and capability over the next few years, starting in the summer of 2026. You will be heavily engaged in supporting this activity to ensure that the future test needs of your partner company are met.

Successful project work will depend upon frequent communication, meetings and working alongside colleagues and partner employees. As such it will suit someone who enjoys collaborative working with a diverse range of people at all levels.

About You

The ideal candidate will have significant experience in industry in a product development or test environment. They will enjoy both hands on testing and supervision of junior colleagues to ensure successful and high-quality data. This practical knowledge will be backed with formal engineering education or training within an industrial environment. Previous experience of working with automotive OEMs, or similar, will be an advantage.

They will have experience working in a battery test lab and understand abuse testing and thermal runaway in detail. This will include initiation methods, test rig and experimental design. Knowledge of data acquisition, data analysis and the preparation of written reports and presentations is a key skill. Excellent project planning and reporting skills, with the ability to initiate, plan organise, implement and deliver programmes of work to tight deadlines. Evidence of willingness and previous success in training such as health and safety, fire marshal and first aid qualifications. Experience in creating robust and complete risk assessments of complex and hazardous experiments.

For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description attached as a PDF below.

About The Department

The Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) is the largest department at the University of Warwick, with over 800 staff and nearly 3,000 students across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in management, technology, and applied engineering. We are globally recognised for our world-class research, innovative industry partnerships, and teaching excellence, and we are proud holders of the Athena SWAN Silver Award and the Institutional Silver Award.

Find out more about the High Value Manufacturing Catapult centre. Find out more about the Energy Innovation Centre. Find out more about our range of undergraduate and apprenticeship degrees here.

About The University

We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 106 th in the world and 8th in the UK. Additionally, 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent. Find out more about us at warwick.ac.uk/about/. World University Ranking 2024, Guardian University Guide 2025 Research Excellence Framework 2021

How to Apply

CLOSING DEADLINE: Monday 12th January 2026 at 11:55pm (UK Time)

To apply, please click "Apply" below and submit an application form by the closing deadline. You will be asked to include a CV and a cover letter.

Your CV Should Include

• Your education and employment history (including your most recent employment).
• Any other relevant experience (e.g. volunteering, extracurricular, etc.).

Your Cover Letter Should Explain

• Your motivations for applying to the role.
• Using examples, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria detailed in the job description (PDF attached below).

All essential criteria must be met by candidates who are invited to interview. For guidance on writing a cover letter, see here.

Interview Date: End of January 2026

Start Date: April 2026

Please note application forms must be submitted before the stated deadline - you will not be able to submit after 23:55 (even if you opened the form earlier). Only applications submitted via our official careers portal (warwick-careers.tal.net) will be considered.

What we Offer

We Provide a Comprehensive Range Of Benefits, Including

• An attractive pension scheme.
• 30 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
• Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
• Onsite childcare facilities.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.
• We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working arrangements.

For more information, see here.

We are proud to be a Living Wage employer.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion

Warwick is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful community where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and communities, and actively encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. Find out more about our Social Inclusion work at Warwick. Find out more about our awards and accreditations. We are also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance.

Safeguarding & DBS

The University of Warwick is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we work with. Roles involving regulated activity are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at the appropriate level, in line with the DBS Code of Practice. The University will ensure that anyone subject to a barring order does not undertake any work with the barred group (children and/or adults). All employees, volunteers, and partners are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding.

Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders

The University will not discriminate against applicants who make a disclosure relating to a conviction. Disclosures at application stage are only visible to the DBS team, not to hiring panels. This ensures fairness and removes bias from the shortlisting process.

Job Description JD Lead Engineer (Battery Safety – JLRC) (111035).pdf – 211KB Opens in a new window

Right to Work in the UK

If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa, please follow this link which contains further information about obtaining the right to work in the UK.