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Purpose of the Role
Senior Mechanical Engineer – Li-ion Battery Cell Development (Cell Design)
Location: Oxford, UK
Function: Cell Technology / Cell Design
Reports To: Head of Cell Design – Cell Technology / Cell Development
Line Management: Yes – up to 4 direct reports
The Opportunity
Join Agratas, Tata Group’s global battery business, and play a key role in shaping the future of energy storage. As a Senior Mechanical Engineer within our Cell Design team, you will lead the mechanical development of Li‑ion battery cells, focusing on performance, safety, manufacturability and scalability. Working at our world‑class R&D Centre in Oxford, you’ll collaborate with cell design, R&D, and process engineering teams to develop innovative mechanical solutions that bring next‑generation batteries to life.
Key Responsibility Areas
Cell Design & Development
* Develop and optimize mechanical components of battery cells (substrates, tabs, can hardware, etc.).
* Lead and execute test plans to validate mechanical performance, energy density, and cycle life targets.
Materials Selection
* Evaluate materials for mechanical, thermal, electronic performance, cost and manufacturability.
* Support supplier engagement and qualification as a subject matter expert.
Prototype Scale‑Up
* Translate lab‑scale designs into pilot‑ready prototypes in collaboration with process engineering.
* Create and manage mechanical drawings, specifications, and documentation for manufacturing readiness.
* Lead cross‑functional reviews to support go/no‑go decisions.
Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
* Integrate DFM principles including stack‑up analysis and design margin analysis (DMA).
* Ensure designs meet production, yield and cost targets for mass manufacturing.
Innovation & Problem Solving
* Identify and implement mechanical innovations to improve safety, energy density, and manufacturability.
* Lead root cause analysis and develop robust solutions under tight deadlines.
What You Will Bring
* Significant hands‑on experience in battery cell mechanical design, ideally in high‑performance or automotive‑focused Li‑ion technologies.
Cell Mechanical Design Expertise
* Strong knowledge of Li‑ion cell mechanical architecture and its integration into modules, packs and systems.
* Experience interpreting mechanical requirements from higher‑level systems and translating them into component‑level designs.
Product Development & Engineering Tools
* Proficient in CAD (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks), GD&T and mechanical drawing creation.
* Experience supporting DFMEA and APQP milestones.
* Familiar with ultrasonic welding and mechanical joining processes.
Materials Knowledge
* Deep understanding of materials used in energy storage systems and their impact on safety and performance.
Prototyping & Industrialisation
* Direct experience in taking mechanical designs from concept to pilot production.
* Collaborated with vendors to ensure part feasibility and spec compliance.
Simulation & Analysis
* Skilled in data analysis and modelling tools (e.g., FEA, CFD, tolerance/stack‑up analysis).
* Able to interpret simulations and test data to inform design improvements.
Leadership Skills
* Proven experience mentoring junior engineers and leading small technical teams.
* Strong stakeholder management, with the ability to build trusted relationships across engineering, manufacturing and supplier groups.
Teamwork & Communication
* Excellent cross‑functional collaboration skills.
* Capable of working closely with internal teams and external suppliers to drive aligned outcomes.
Education
* PhD (or equivalent experience) in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
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