Director of Validation

We are seeking a dynamic leader to direct and develop our Test & Validation department responsible for the operation of Northvolt’s battery cell testing facilities and R&D validation teams. Are you ready to enable the development of the world’s greenest battery with data-driven decisions based on high-quality testing and innovative validation methods? The role will include coaching, working with technical experts and executive management to define technical direction, and facilitating collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

With a thorough understanding and proven experience in battery validation you will play an integral part in the testing, development, and qualification of our Li-ion batteries. The role includes leading, planning and expanding our testing capability and validation competence. The Design of Experiment (DOE) and Validation tests during a development project includes life, performance, safety and environmental tests according to standards like UN 38.3, GB/T 31485, IEC 62133 and UL1642 etc. You will also work with a broad spectrum, from high level prerequisites and early concept development to customer projects and product requirement management. You will be responsible for the project deliverables and report to both internal and external stakeholders and steering committees.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Build, plan, organize, direct and follow up on project related test & validation activities
• Ensure delivery of test & validation capability for battery development projects
• Enable and develop Northvolt’s capacity for tests and validation needs.
• Enable the development of the team to perform on a continuous high level while driving continuous improvement and leveraging efficiencies
• Coach and support engineers, technicians and managers through consistent feedback, navigation of challenges, and providing development opportunities to encourage technical and professional growth

The person we are looking for is driven, caring and structured. You thrive by leading others and work towards common goals. You are used to a high paced work environment and got good time management skills. Qualities that we cherish are flexibility, sense of quality and safety, friendliness, motivation to take on new challenges and grit.

Northvolt is an equal opportunity employer. We're a diverse group of individuals, united by a common mission, who recognise that while our actions as individuals have a role to play in driving Northvolt towards its goals, we always want to learn and grow a team and have fun at work. For us it’s important to look at your skills and potential, please refrain form including your picture and age with your application to help us with this.

The role requires travelling within Europe and to Asia.

Apply with CV and cover letter or your complete LinkedIn profile.

Full time employment, fixed salary.

Education/Experience

• MSc or PhD degree within relevant field or comparable work experience
• More than 8 years experience from development and testing of secondary batteries, lithium-ion based technologies or experience from automotive field.
• Experience in leading testing and validation teams and organizations
• Excellent communication skills as you will be in constant interaction with international customers and team members from both the technical and business development side
• Proven results in meeting customer requirements and expectations
• Experienced in handling the risk of cell and battery development and production
• Understanding of electrode and cell design, electrode preparation process, cell fabrication and electrochemical performance evaluation

Specific Skills/Abilities

• Excellent English written and oral skills, Languages like Japanese, Korean or German is a big plus
• Successful history of working with mid and senior level technical teams, purchasing and management
• Strong leadership skills with experience from growing and developing a team as well as proven track record of successfully developing team members, support their growth and let them excel
• Experience from start-up environment is a plus
• Ability to work well with others in a team environment, as well as independently
• Qualities that we cherish are flexibility, quality, friendliness, motivation to take on new challenges, grit and a sense of humour

World leading technique

Top specialists as team peers

International environment

Warrant program

Wellness grant

Northvolt makes green batteries for a blue planet. Affordable cells and high-quality battery systems. All manufactured with a record-low carbon footprint. Purposely built to provide Europe with the opportunity to switch to renewable energy – efficiently and entirely.

To accomplish this, we do things differently. We design, manufacture, and recycle everything under one roof. We even build our own factories. All this is incredibly challenging and requires us to think in unconventional ways. We’re constantly experimenting, learning and adapting to make batteries so great – they will one day make oil history.

Northvolt is growing fast. We’re staffing our international office in Stockholm, our R&D facility, Northvolt Labs, in Västerås, as well as our Gdansk facility for production of battery systems. We're also hiring for our gigafactory Northvolt Ett in Skellefteå, Sweden. We want to work with smart individuals from all disciplines. Strong individuals that truly want to make a positive impact on the future. Those of us already on board share a passion for our mission. We’re prepared to work hard in pursuit of excellence. We enjoy the ride and our main drive is to make a difference for real. As a team, we’re dedicated to thinking new, working hard and having fun.