Senior Research Engineer - Lithium-ion Battery and Data Center Safety

Senior Research Engineer – Lithium-ion Battery and Data Center Safety at FM summary:

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Established nearly two centuries ago, FM is a leading mutual insurance company whose capital, scientific research capability and engineering expertise are solely dedicated to property risk management and the resilience of its policyholder-owners. These owners, who share the belief that the majority of property loss is preventable, represent many of the world’s largest organizations, including one of every four Fortune 500 companies. They work with FM to better understand the hazards that can impact their business continuity to make cost-effective risk management decisions, combining property loss prevention with insurance protection.

FM is seeking a Senior Research Engineer to advance scientific understanding, develop testing methodologies and standards, and create engineering solutions in the field of battery safety. The ultimate goal is to support industrial property loss prevention by conducting high‑quality research focused on thermal and fire hazards associated with batteries, with a near‑term emphasis on lithium-ion systems used in data center and renewable energy applications.

Responsibilities

• Develop and perform thermal and fire safety experiments at multiple battery scales – cell, module, unit, and high‑voltage-system levels.
• Advance existing experimental capabilities and methods to support the development of standardized testing for hazard evaluation and protection of battery systems.
• Analyze experimental data and prepare high-quality documentation.
• Communicate test methods, results, and engineering recommendations to internal and external stakeholders, including collaborators, clients, and industry partners.
• Manage all aspects of project management, including proposals, planning, execution, reporting, and engineering application.

• A Master’s degree with 3 years of experience, or a PhD degree in Mechanical, Chemical Engineering, Fire Protection Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Strong understanding of existing and emerging battery technologies, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and combustion.
• Hands-on experience with battery fire testing and associated experimental approaches in fire science.
• Experience with high-voltage battery system testing, such as BESS or UPS systems, is highly desirable.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and a demonstrated ability to develop effective solutions to complex technical challenges.
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, with the ability to productively collaborate in an interdisciplinary research environment.

The final salary offer will vary based on geographic location, individual education, skills, and experience. The position is eligible to participate in FM's comprehensive Total Rewards program that includes an incentive plan, generous health and well-being programs, a 401(k) and pension plan, career development opportunities, tuition reimbursement, flexible work, time off allowances and much more.

FM is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse workforce.

Keywords:

battery safety engineer, lithium-ion fire testing, data center battery safety, BESS testing, thermal runaway research, fire protection engineering, battery test standards, experimental combustion testing