Agratas – A Tata Enterprise
R&D Process Engineer
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Purpose of the Role
The R&D Battery Cell Assembly & Cycling Engineer plays a key hands-on role in the assembly, testing and performance evaluation of next-generation lithium-ion battery cells within Agratas’ R&D facilities.
Working as part of a multidisciplinary battery research and prototyping team, the role is responsible for supporting the build of laboratory and prototype cells, preparing cells for electrochemical testing, operating battery cycling and test equipment, and generating high-quality experimental data to support the development of new battery materials, electrodes and cell technologies.
You will work closely with scientists, technicians and engineers to execute experimental programmes from electrode and component preparation through cell assembly, formation, cycling and post-test analysis. The role requires a strong practical approach, attention to detail and a commitment to producing safe, repeatable and traceable experimental results.
The role will involve working in controlled environments, including dry rooms and glovebox environments, and operating a range of specialist battery assembly and electrochemical test equipment.
The role is located in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, and requires full onsite presence.
Key Accountabilities And Responsibilities
Battery Cell Assembly & Build
- Carry out hands-on assembly of R&D lithium-ion battery cells using established procedures and experimental methods.
- Assemble laboratory and prototype cells, including pouch, coin and/or other cell formats as required.
- Operate assembly equipment and associated tools, ensuring cells are produced consistently and to the required specification.
- Maintain accurate traceability of cell components, materials, build parameters and experimental conditions.
- Support development and optimisation of cell assembly procedures to improve repeatability, yield and experimental quality.
Battery Cycling & Electrochemical Testing
- Prepare newly assembled cells for formation, conditioning and subsequent performance testing.
- Execute cycling programmes in accordance with experimental test plans, including capacity, rate capability, calendar/life testing and other defined test protocols.
- Monitor cell performance during testing and identify abnormal behaviour, test failures or equipment issues.
- Ensure test data is complete, accurate, traceable and appropriately recorded.
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R&D Process & Experimental Support
- Support development and optimisation of experimental workflows covering cell assembly, formation and cycling.
- Execute experimental builds and test plans consistently while maintaining a high level of attention to detail.
- Record process parameters, observations and results to enable robust comparison between experimental batches.
Equipment & Facility Support
- Operate and maintain battery assembly, preparation and electrochemical testing equipment in accordance with approved procedures.
- Support equipment installation, commissioning, acceptance testing and qualification activities.
- Assist with development and maintenance of equipment operating procedures and test methods.
Safety, Compliance & Quality
- Work safely and in accordance with Agratas’ QHSE requirements and R&D laboratory procedures.
- Follow appropriate procedures for handling lithium-ion battery components, electrolyte, chemicals and other hazardous materials.
- Maintain strict compliance with dry-room and controlled-environment requirements.
- Follow established procedures for battery assembly, testing, charging and discharging.
- Contribute to risk assessments, COSHH assessments, SOPs and other relevant safety documentation.
Data, Documentation & Reporting
- Maintain accurate records of cell builds, test conditions, cycling programmes and experimental results.
- Maintain and improve SOPs, work instructions, test methods and experimental documentation.
- Ensure cell and test data can be traced back to materials, assembly conditions and test parameters.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with battery scientists, materials scientists, technicians, electrochemical engineers and process engineers.
- Provide real-time technical support during experimental builds and testing campaigns.
Qualifications And Experience
- Hands-on experience in lithium-ion battery cell assembly, testing or R&D battery development.
- Practical experience operating battery cyclers and conducting electrochemical testing.
- Experience preparing and assembling laboratory or prototype battery cells.
- Understanding of lithium-ion cell construction, cell components and basic electrochemical principles.
- Experience working in dry rooms, gloveboxes or other controlled environments is highly desirable.
- Strong practical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot cell assembly, equipment and test issues.
- Ability to follow detailed SOPs and experimental test plans while maintaining excellent attention to detail.
- Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary R&D teams.
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Role Specific Qualifications/Certifications
This role is ideally suited to a candidate with several years of hands-on experience in lithium-ion battery R&D, particularly in laboratory or prototype cell assembly, battery cycling and electrochemical testing.
Experience with pouch-cell or other prototype cell assembly, dry-room/glovebox operations, formation and cycling, battery cyclers, experimental test planning and analysis of cell performance data would be highly advantageous.
The successful candidate will combine strong practical battery-handling skills with a methodical approach to experimental execution, data quality, equipment operation and problem solving.
What you’ll get…
As a new and evolving company, we offer a competitive and flexible benefits package that includes private healthcare, bonuses, enhanced parental leave, and wellbeing support through Yulife. We're committed to promoting work-life balance and employee wellbeing. As part of Tata Sons, you’ll be working in a fast-growing environment, contributing to the development of the UK’s largest battery manufacturing facility and shaping the future of a new organisation.
Agratas fosters an inclusive environment where employees can be their authentic selves. We believe that individuals perform best when supported and content in their workplace. Committed to diversity, we welcome applicants of all races, genders, sexualities, and abilities. If candidates require reasonable adjustments or have preferences regarding the assessment process, they are encouraged to communicate these needs to the Talent Acquisition team.
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