Battery Development Scientist / Engineer

About Volta Energy

Volta Energy is a Canadian energy technology company developing innovative solutions for the evolving energy landscape. Through our SPICE research and development division, we advance technologies in energy storage, advanced materials, and next-generation energy systems, with a strong emphasis on practical applications and commercialization.

Our battery development program focuses on cobalt-free, high-voltage lithium nickel manganese oxide (LNMO) cathodes and lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide (LLZO)-based solid-state electrolytes. Our objective is to develop high-performance, PFAS-free battery technologies with commercially viable manufacturing pathways.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a motivated, resourceful, and hands-on Battery Development Scientist / Engineer to join our multidisciplinary R&D team in Pickering, Ontario. This is a full-time, primarily on-site position suited to someone who enjoys solving complex technical problems, takes pride in laboratory experimentation, and thrives in a dynamic, results-oriented environment.

Working closely with our Battery Technology Lead, the successful candidate will contribute to the development, fabrication, testing, and optimization of advanced battery materials and electrochemical cells. We are particularly interested in candidates who combine scientific knowledge with practical engineering instincts—individuals equally comfortable interpreting electrochemical data and working hands-on with laboratory equipment.

We value technical independence, practical ingenuity, resilience under pressure, and a strong sense of ownership. The ability to translate experimental results into meaningful technical progress is essential.

We welcome applications from experienced researchers and promising early-career professionals with strong practical laboratory capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Conduct hands-on development and optimization of advanced battery materials, electrodes, and electrolyte components.
• Prepare electrode formulations, fabricate electrodes and electrolyte layers, and assemble laboratory-scale battery cells.
• Perform electrochemical testing, including charge–discharge cycling, rate-capability testing, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and related analyses.
• Design and execute systematic experiments to investigate performance limitations, materials behavior, and processing challenges.
• Assemble, modify, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory equipment and experimental apparatus, including mechanical connections, fittings, and components used in battery materials processing and cell fabrication.
• Troubleshoot experimental failures, identify root causes, and recommend practical corrective actions.
• Analyze experimental data and communicate clear technical findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Contribute to defined technical milestones, project deliverables, and development timelines.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records, experimental procedures, and technical documentation.
• Collaborate effectively with technical colleagues and external research partners.
• Follow established laboratory safety practices, including appropriate procedures for working with reactive materials, pressurized systems, and specialized equipment.

Essential Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Electrochemistry, or a related discipline, with relevant practical experience.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in battery materials development, electrode fabrication, cell assembly, or electrochemical testing.
• Familiarity with laboratory-scale battery fabrication and testing equipment, such as mixers, coating systems, gloveboxes, battery cyclers, and potentiostats.
• Strong practical mechanical aptitude, including the ability to assemble, operate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory apparatus and experimental setups.
• Sound understanding of lithium-ion battery chemistry, electrochemical principles, and electrode/electrolyte interactions.
• Strong analytical and experimental troubleshooting skills, with the ability to interpret results and propose practical solutions.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound technical judgment, and collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, manage competing priorities, and maintain scientific rigor while meeting demanding project timelines.
• Strong organizational, documentation, and technical communication skills.

Preferred Qualification & Skills

• Development of advanced lithium-ion or solid-state battery materials.
• Cathode synthesis, slurry formulation, electrode coating, and process optimization.
• Ceramic or composite solid-state electrolyte processing and fabrication.
• Coin-cell assembly, electrochemical characterization, and battery performance evaluation.
• Materials characterization techniques such as SEM, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, or related analytical methods.
• Practical experience with laboratory fittings, tubing, vacuum systems, fluid-handling equipment, and mechanical assemblies, including Swagelok or equivalent components.
• Design of Experiments (DOE), statistical analysis, and systematic process optimization.
• Experience in industrial R&D, technology scale-up, or commercialization-oriented development.
• Familiarity with LNMO cathodes, LLZO electrolytes, PFAS-free binders, or carbon-based conductive additives.
• Familiarity with computational modelling or data analysis tools such as MATLAB, COMSOL, or Python.

Candidates are not expected to possess experience in all the above areas. We place greater emphasis on demonstrated practical capability, adaptability, and problem-solving aptitude than on familiarity with every technique or material system. Beyond technical qualifications, we are looking for someone who brings the right mindset to applied research and technology development. The ideal candidate:

• Takes ownership: Accepts responsibility for assigned technical challenges and follows through on commitments.
• Thrives under pressure: Remains focused, resourceful, and effective when faced with tight timelines, unexpected setbacks, or changing priorities.
• Is mechanically resourceful: Enjoys hands-on laboratory work, demonstrates practical ingenuity, and is comfortable resolving equipment and experimental setup challenges.
• Thinks independently: Questions assumptions, identifies opportunities for improvement, and proposes solutions.
• Learns from failure: Treats unsuccessful experiments as opportunities to gain insight, reduce uncertainty, and refine the development approach.
• Works collaboratively: Communicates openly, welcomes constructive feedback, and contributes positively to team objectives.
• Focuses on outcomes: Understands that successful R&D involves not only scientific investigation but also reproducibility, technical progress, and timely decision-making.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to contribute to innovative, next-generation energy storage technologies.
• Meaningful hands-on involvement in advanced battery development.
• A collaborative environment that values initiative, technical judgment, and independent thinking.
• Exposure to multidisciplinary R&D programs and industrial and academic partnerships.
• Opportunities for professional growth and increasing technical responsibility.
• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Interested candidates should submit a résumé or CV and a brief cover letter outlining their relevant experience through this LinkedIn job posting.

We encourage applicants to highlight specific examples of hands-on laboratory accomplishments, practical equipment troubleshooting, experimental problem-solving, and situations where they successfully managed challenging technical problems or demanding project deadlines.

Volta Energy welcomes applications from individuals with diverse professional and educational backgrounds who demonstrate the capabilities and motivation to contribute to our technology development programs.