Battery CT Technician

Overview

Join our Team as a hands-on CT Technician, responsible for full-scope operation and maintenance of 3D X-ray computed tomography (CT) and 2D X-ray systems for battery cells, modules, and packs. Your core focus will be executing CT scans, analyzing data, and collaborating with engineering teams to validate Li-ion battery cells for next-generation hardware, ensuring internal defects and changes over cell lifetime are thoroughly understood and communicated.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, load, and scan battery cells, modules, packs, and field returns from the request queue, prioritizing new-product Li-ion cells.
• Independently operate the Waygate Phoenix V|tome|x CT system (plus any 2D X-ray systems), including all sample preparation, fixturing, scan parameter optimization, volume reconstruction, and scheduling in the Fremont Lab.
• Analyze CT data in VGStudio MAX to identify and image internal defects and features, including electrode misalignment, jellyroll deformation, welding issues, foreign particles, electrolyte depletion, swelling, and mechanical damage.
• Perform 2D X-ray inspection of battery management units (BMUs) and correlate findings with electrical/mechanical/abuse test data when needed.
• Ensure meticulous data records, generate detailed FA reports with annotated images and measurements, and share key findings in the tracking system for design, quality, and validation teams.
• Maintain CT system calibration, perform quality checks, routine troubleshooting, and coordinate with vendors for repair or service.
• Uphold and document all lab 5S, radiation safety, and battery safety protocols; properly handle damaged, swollen, or charged Li-ion cells.
• Maintain chain of custody for field returns and prototype batteries.
• Support other battery validation team members as needed with electrical testing, electrochemical analysis, and/or glovebox teardowns.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate degree in materials science, nondestructive testing (NDT), radiography, or electrical/mechanical engineering technology, or equivalent practical experience.
• 2+ years operating industrial CT/micro-CT or X-ray inspection systems (e.g., Waygate, Nikon, Zeiss, North Star, Bruker).
• Hands-on experience performing CT data analysis in VGStudio MAX.
• Strong knowledge of Li-ion battery cell construction and recognition of CT-visible failure modes.
• Ability to lift 25 lbs and work on-site in a lab environment.
• Excellent documentation and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• ASNT NDT Level I/II certification in Radiography/CT.
• Experience operating and maintaining gloveboxes, Maccor battery cyclers, and other battery testing instrumentation.
• Hands-on teardown skills for pouch, prismatic, and cylindrical Li-ion batteries.
• Familiarity with high-throughput validation labs using ticketing and results-tracking systems.
• Experience with additional battery failure analysis techniques (e.g., SEM/EDS, cross-sectioning, optical microscopy).

CA Base Pay 100000 - 125000 USD