--- title: 'Senior Cell Validation & Reliability Engineer at Peak Energy' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-cell-validation-reliability-engineer-peak-energy-burlingame-3qmqm5rpdw0v' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-09' --- # Senior Cell Validation & Reliability Engineer at Peak Energy - **Company:** Peak Energy - **Location:** Burlingame, CA - **Posted:** 2026-08-19 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-09 - **Apply:** https://peakenergy.com/get-in-touch/careers/jobs?job_id=5216614007&gh_jid=5216614007 ## Job description Peak Energy Job Title: Senior Cell Validation & Reliability Engineer Location: Burlingame, California Department: Cell Engineering Reports To: Cell Applications Engineering Manager Position Type: Full-time ## About the Company Peak Energy is the first American venture to advance globally proven sodium-ion battery systems as the storage standard for the new era of renewable energy on a resilient grid. Sodium-ion is cheap, readily available, and safe — making it the leading contender in a rapidly evolving market. Our leadership team is powered by decades of expertise in scaling gigawatt-level innovation at world-class companies such as Tesla, Northvolt, Apple, Powin, Enovix, Zipline, Solid Power, SunPower, and Fluence. We are backed by strategic investment and product partners including TDK Ventures, Eclipse Ventures, and GM Ventures. We recently announced America's first sodium-ion grid storage factory in Sacramento with production starting Q1 2027, and over $1B in signed customer commitments including Jupiter Power and Energy Vault. About the Role – Senior Cell Validation & Reliability Engineer Peak Energy is seeking a Senior Cell Validation & Reliability Engineer to own the validation and reliability foundation for the cells integrated into our energy storage systems. This role will move beyond cell specification verification to quantify how cell-to-cell and batch-to-batch variation impacts system-level performance and reliability. You will design the studies, own the statistical analysis, and deliver cell-level validation verdicts and reliability inputs that inform Peak Energy's system design and 20-year calendar life expectations. You will work closely with cell test engineering, cell modeling, ESS engineering, supplier quality, and other cross-functional teams to translate cell performance and variation into actionable system requirements. Test execution will be carried out by the cell test engineering team, predictive modeling by the cell modeling function, and system design and system-level reliability evaluation by ESS engineering. This role owns the cell-side validation and reliability inputs that connect those functions. The ideal candidate combines strong battery validation experience with applied reliability statistics and is comfortable turning complex test data into clear engineering decisions. ## What You'll Do (Responsibilities) Cell-to-System Integration Validation - Validate the electrical and mechanical integration of supplier cells into Peak Energy ESS platforms; own the cell-side validation verdict at each integration point. - Move validation from spec verification to population statistics: design cell-to-cell and batch-to-batch variation studies and quantify how variance propagates to system-level performance — balancing burden, thermal gradients, mechanical preload windows, and energy/power delivery. - Mechanical: validate cell behavior under system-representative compression; characterize force versus state of charge and swell over life; deliver force–displacement–life datasets that inform foam/pad selection and preload design by systems engineering. - Electrical & BMS: Assist in analysis with measured variation accounted for of OCV characterization, equivalent-circuit parameters; quantify cell-in-system versus bench performance deltas. - Establish the statistical foundation: measurement system analysis (MSA / Gauge R&R) across cell test equipment, capability analysis against specification, and statistically justified sample sizes, acceptance criteria, and validation exit criteria. Cell Reliability Ownership - Own the cell reliability test roadmap: inform sample size requirements for calendar life, cycle life, and accelerated aging test plans designed explicitly to inform reliability analysis — not only to characterize performance. - Deliver the authoritative cell-level input to system reliability evaluation: failure-rate estimates, life distributions under product duty cycles, degradation trajectories, and derating guidance. - Track reliability performance across supplier lots and chemistries; participate in root cause analysis of cell-related reliability failures and feed findings back into test plans and supplier requirements. Cross-Functional Interface - Own the cell-requirements and reliability-input handoffs; participate in DFMEAs for cell-driven failure modes. - Share variation and reliability findings with supplier quality: this role owns the performance and reliability implications of variation. - Pair with cell modeling: measured variation and life data validate equivalent-circuit, thermal, and degradation models; model predictions guide test-plan design. . ## What You'll Bring (Qualifications) - B.S. in Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering or a related field; M.S. preferred. - 5+ years in battery cell/module/pack validation or reliability engineering within automotive or stationary energy storage. - Reliability statistics: Weibull / life-data analysis, accelerated life testing, and confidence-bound methods for life claims. - Applied statistics in an engineering context: design of experiments, capability analysis, measurement system analysis, sample-size justification. - Hands-on familiarity with cell test methods: cyclers, environmental chambers, force/displacement measurement, and thermal instrumentation. - Depth in one integration axis — mechanical (compression, thermal interface) or electrical (BMS, system electrical performance) — with working competence in the other. - Working knowledge of BMS fundamentals: SOC/SOH estimation, cell balancing, and protection limits. - Proficiency in Python or equivalent for engineering data analysis. ## Preferred Qualifications - Reliability methods: reliability block diagrams, failure-rate (FIT) allocation, MTBF modeling. - Experience owning DVP&Rs and driving validation programs from plan through sign-off. - Sodium-ion or LFP cell experience. - Experience partnering with modeling teams on equivalent-circuit, thermal, and degradation model validation. - DFMEA participation on module/pack programs. Peak Energy is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We strongly encourage women, people of color, and individuals from underrepresented groups to apply. We value skills, potential, and perspective over specific credentials. If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t look perfect on paper, we still want to hear from you. Our Core Values - Speed Through Focus - Move fast but understand why. Focus on the goal, don't sacrifice quality. - Mission Over Self - It's about the greater good; confident humility. Take ownership and accountability. - Face the Brutal Truth - Transparency, honesty, big picture curiosity. Fearless decision making. - Be a Good Person - Kindness, collaboration and teamwork. ## Compensation & Benefits The salary range for this role is $150,000–$190,000, with actual pay varying based on work location, experience, and skills. Our competitive benefits package includes: - Flexible time off - Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage - Strong 401(k) plan - Equity opportunities - Many great work perks Join us to thrive in a supportive environment while making a meaningful impact in the energy sector! At Peak Energy Technologies Inc., we believe that a diverse and inclusive workplace makes us a more capable, innovative, and competitive company. We welcome people who represent diversity in their backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and experiences. Peak Energy Technologies Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, aiming to reach our company’s full potential by cultivating an inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship, marital or family status, disability, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. ## About Peak Energy ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Peak Energy designs and deploys next-generation sodium-ion energy storage systems for grid-scale and AI data center applications, offering the world’s first fully passive, drop-in compatible battery storage solution. - **Entity Type**: Private (Series A – $55M raised in June 2024) - **Headquarters**: Burlingame, California, USA - **Founded**: 2023 - **Founders**: Landon Mossburg (CEO), Paul Durkee (CTO), Brandon Kelly (Chief Scientist) ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Energy storage / Battery technology / Grid infrastructure - **Target customers**: Utilities, Independent Power Producers (IPPs), AI data center operators, grid operators (B2B, enterprise) - **Mission or purpose**: Deliver the lowest cost electron to the grid, enabling the next era of AI, electrification, and renewable power through abundant, reliable, and domestically manufactured energy storage. ## Products & Services - **Peak Passive Grid‑Scale Storage System**: A sodium‑ion battery energy storage system (BESS) designed for 20+ year life with zero scheduled maintenance, no augmentation, and passive thermal management. Drop‑in compatible with existing BESS installations, requiring no new installation crews or EMS integration playbooks. Achieves higher round‑trip efficiency (more power to GPUs) and lower total cost of ownership (claimed $75/kWh savings through minimal opex). Fully 48E ITC compliant. Deployed in partnership with nine of the largest U.S. IPPs and utilities. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed - **Key Metric**: Total funding of **$65M** ($10M seed in October 2023, $55M Series A in June 2024) - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Investors not publicly named; key partners include **GM** (partnership to scale next-gen energy storage), **Jupiter Power** (4.75 GWh contract signed November 2025), and nine of the largest IPPs/utilities in the U.S. - **Growth Signals**: - First grid‑scale sodium‑ion system deployed in Colorado (August 2025) – world’s first passively cooled system. - Over 10 months of operating deployments; 9‑customer pilot completed. - **6+ GWh contracted through 2030** (including 4.75 GWh with Jupiter Power). - Scaling plan: 5 deployments in 2026, 1 GWh in 2027; U.S. factory (4 GWh capacity) planned for Q1 2027 SOP. - Signed agreement to deploy MISO’s first sodium‑ion grid storage battery (March 2026). ## Competitive Advantages - **Lowest total cost of ownership** – passive cooling eliminates fan/chiller failures, no scheduled maintenance, no augmentation, reducing opex significantly. - **Sodium‑ion chemistry** – uses abundant, domestically available materials, reducing supply chain risk and improving safety. - **Drop‑in compatibility** – works with existing BESS infrastructure, lowering adoption barriers for utilities and IPPs. - **Vertically integrated U.S. manufacturing** – from cell to delivered project, strengthening domestic supply chain and creating jobs. - **Proven reliability** – 99.999% uptime target; operating deployments since mid‑2025. ## Strategic Focus - **Scale up manufacturing** – build a 4 GWh U.S. factory (2027) and expand deployment pipeline toward 1 GWh/year. - **Target AI data centers** – collapse 4‑7 year interconnect queues by providing immediate, reliable power for GPU clusters (claims 441 trillion additional tokens/year over 20‑year project life). - **Long‑term integration** – eventually move into generation, transmission, and distribution (phase 3 strategy post‑2028). - **Deepen utility/IPP partnerships** – continue signing long‑term offtake contracts (already 6+ GWh through 2030). ## Why Work Here - **Culture & values**: “Be a good Person” is a core value; emphasis on purpose‑driven work, solving foundational energy problems, and moving fast with real‑world impact. - **Benefits**: Comprehensive medical/dental/vision, 401(k) with company match, flexible PTO, generous parental leave, employer‑paid life/disability/income protection, mental health & wellness programs, free lunches, pet‑friendly offices, free EV charging (Burlingame office), cell phone reimbursement, commuter benefits. - **Locations**: Offices in Burlingame (CA) and Denver (CO); hybrid/remote policy not explicitly stated but on‑site presence expected for engineering and manufacturing roles. - **Growth trajectory**: Headcount has doubled over the past year; company is in rapid scaling phase (from pilot to commercial deployments). Open roles include engineering, manufacturing, finance, and sales (27+ positions listed on Greenhouse and LinkedIn as of mid‑2026). - **Team**: Core team assembled from Tesla, Northvolt, Enovix, Lyft, Uber, Solid Power; strong technical depth in battery and energy systems. ## Sources 1. [peakenergy.com – About](https://peakenergy.com/company/about) 2. [peakenergy.com – Careers](https://peakenergy.com/get-in-touch/careers) 3. [LinkedIn – Peak Energy](https://www.linkedin.com/company/peakenergytech) 4. [CB Insights – Peak Energy](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/peak-energy-2) 5. [PR Newswire – Peak Signs 4.75 GWh Contract with Jupiter Power (Nov 2025)](https://peakenergy.com/) 6. [PR Newswire – Peak Signs Agreement to Deploy MISO’s First Sodium-Ion Grid Storage Battery (Mar 2026)](https://peakenergy.com/) 7. [Bloomberg – Peak Energy Secures $55 Million (Mar 2026)](https://peakenergy.com/) ## Other roles at Peak Energy - [IT System Administrator (Sacramento)](https://feeny.ai/job/it-system-administrator-sacramento-peak-energy-sacramento-8y3eabpgvbh1) — Sacramento, CA - [IT System Administrator (Burlingame)](https://feeny.ai/job/it-system-administrator-burlingame-peak-energy-burlingame-5ezksf45kry1) — Burlingame, CA - [Global Supply Chain Management Intern (Spring 2027)](https://feeny.ai/job/global-supply-chain-management-intern-spring-2027-peak-energy-burlingame-k2bxw183zta1) — Burlingame, CA - [Senior Sales Director](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-sales-director-peak-energy-burlingame-ca-or-broomfield-5wvmnkv7feet) — Burlingame CA OR Broomfield, CO - [Automation Engineer Intern](https://feeny.ai/job/automation-engineer-intern-peak-energy-burlingame-bk4p845y9zx3) — Burlingame, CA - [Head of Hardware](https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-hardware-peak-energy-burlingame-vky0rsv4b83a) — Burlingame, CA - [Controls & Automation Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/controls-automation-engineer-peak-energy-burlingame-1ga3nxje5qxa) — Burlingame, CA - [Sales Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/sales-engineer-peak-energy-burlingame-california-or-broomfield-zthqmvwhwjse) — Burlingame California OR Broomfield, CO - [Manufacturing Equipment Engineering Intern](https://feeny.ai/job/manufacturing-equipment-engineering-intern-peak-energy-burlingame-byqwk3yhj5df) — Burlingame, CA - [Executive Assistant & Events Lead](https://feeny.ai/job/executive-assistant-events-lead-peak-energy-burlingame-gx5zxxg98kpd) — Burlingame, CA