Research Scientist II, Battery

Do you want to shape the battery energy storage technology at Amazon? We are looking for a Research Scientist to drive the technical evaluation of battery energy storage technology, from cells today to modules, systems and the technologies around them as our scope grows, and to be the technical interface with the suppliers and partners who work with us.
You will conduct technical evaluations from test design through data analysis: help identify candidate technologies and supplies, engage their engineering teams, design test plans and protocol, coordinate sample sourcing and testing, and turn results into clear technical recommendations.

You will visit supplier factories and laboratories, and you will work closely with your manager and colleagues across engineering, procurement, and business development, giving you direct exposure to how technical judgements become business decisions. This role suits someone who enjoys deep technical work and wants to grow into broader cross-functional influence.

Key job responsibilities
- Conduct technical evaluations of battery energy storage technologies, starting with lithium-ion cells and extending to modules, systems and related components: review specifications, test reports, safety certifications and manufacturing quality data, and identify gaps and risks.
- Design test plans and protocols covering performance, cycle and calendar ageing, thermal characterisation and abuse/safety testing; propose acceptance criteria; and execute test programs under direction of Senior Scientist.
- Coordinate the technical aspects of sample sourcing (specifications, shipping, storage, data management), partnering with Legal and Procurement through your manager
- Process and analyse test data (capacity fade, resistance growth, efficiency, thermal behaviour) and build repeatable analysis pipelines and lifetime models.
- Support supplier and partner engagements by contributing technical expertise in deep-dive sessions, factory visits, and quality assessments.
- Prepare technical assessments, analysis summaries, and draft recommendations that feed into leadership reviews. Work with cross-functional colleagues, primarily in engineering and procurement, to move evaluations from technical findings toward decisions.
- Travel frequently, domestically and internationally, for supplier and partner visits.

A day in the life
Your week mixes deep technical work with collaboration and learning. One day you might be reviewing a supplier's test data and specifications, turning an open question into a change to a running test plan. The next, you could be joining a technical deep-dive with a manufacturer's engineering team, or preparing observations and diligence items ahead of a factory visit. You will work closely with the laboratory on incoming results, support your manager on coordination with Legal and Procurement for agreements and samples, and partner with engineering colleagues to explore what the findings mean for system design. You will regularly prepare technical summaries and draft recommendations that feed into leadership discussions, and from time to time you will present your own analysis directly. Several times a year you will travel to a factory or laboratory in North America, Europe, or Asia.

About the team
We are a new team dedicated to Amazon's energy storage strategy. Our job is to give Amazon an independent, evidence-based view of energy storage technology: which cells and systems to trust, how long they will last, how they will fail and what they will cost. We work with suppliers and partners around the world and with colleagues across engineering, procurement, legal, finance and business development.
The team is at an early stage and its scope is growing quickly, from cells today to modules, systems and the technologies around them. You will be an early hire, so you will help shape how we evaluate technology, how we engage suppliers and how we present results, with a direct line of sight to the decisions your work informs. For the right person this is a role with high growth potential and a wide range of opportunities as the team expands.

Basic qualifications

- PhD, or Master's degree and 4+ years of quantitative field research experience
- Experience investigating the feasibility of applying scientific principles and concepts to business problems and products
- Experience analyzing both experimental and observational data sets

Preferred qualifications

- Knowledge of R, MATLAB, Python or similar scripting language
- Experience with agile development
- Experience building web based dashboards using common frameworks

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.

USA, CA, Irvine - 136,000.00 - 184,000.00 USD annually
USA, CA, Sunnyvale - 157,300.00 - 212,800.00 USD annually
USA, MA, Boston - 136,000.00 - 184,000.00 USD annually
USA, WA, SEATTLE - 136,000.00 - 184,000.00 USD annually