Proterra offers a dynamic and supportive workplace where our employees can thrive personally and professionally. With cutting-edge facilities and groundbreaking projects, Proterra offers unique opportunities to grow, collaborate, and lead transformative changes in the electrification of heavy-duty transportation and equipment.

Our commitment to innovation extends beyond our battery solutions to our people, where we create an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to drive change for the earth. Here at Proterra we strive to foster a culture of inclusivity, valuing diverse perspectives and encouraging bold ideas, allowing our employees to bring their full selves to work. Our employees benefit from competitive total rewards packages, and opportunities to develop professionally.

Position Overview:

As a Senior Validation Engineer, you will own testing and validation across the full battery lifecycle — from modules to complete pack-level systems. You will work shoulder-to-shoulder with mechanical designers, electrical engineers, embedded systems engineers, manufacturing, and program management to ensure our batteries meet the performance, safety, and durability standards required for next-generation electric vehicles.

This is a high-visibility, cross-functional role for an engineer who thrives on collaboration, is energized by solving complex technical problems, and takes pride in delivering rigorous, trustworthy data.

About the Role – You will:

• Design, plan, and execute validation test programs across module qualification, and pack-level system integration testing

• Translate design requirements and customer specifications into comprehensive test plans, including performance, environmental, mechanical, and abuse protocols

• Collaborate closely with pack designers, thermal engineers, and BMS teams to align validation strategy with design intent and program milestones

• Analyze test data, identify failure modes, and communicate findings clearly to cross-functional stakeholders — including non-technical audiences — through well-structured reports and design reviews

• Drive continuous improvement of test methods, fixtures, and data acquisition systems to increase throughput and data quality

• Track and manage open validation issues using structured tools; ensure findings are resolved and documented before program gating milestones
• Support external lab coordination for certification testing (e.g., UN38.3, ECE R100, SAE J2464, SAE J2380)

Your Experience Includes:

• B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• 3–6 years of hands-on battery or HV electrical system testing experience, with direct exposure to both module and pack-level validation
• Familiarity with relevant standards and protocols including UN38.3, UL 2580, SAE J2929, or equivalent
• Strong data analysis skills; proficiency in Python, MATLAB, or similar tools for processing and visualizing large test datasets
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills — you can distill complex test results into actionable insights for engineering and leadership audiences alike
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams in a fast-paced product development environment
• Experience with test equipment such as battery cyclers, environmental chambers, vibration tables, and data acquisition systems

Additional Desired Skills:

• Familiarity with FMEA, DVP&R, or other structured reliability engineering frameworks
• Exposure to pack-level thermal management validation or BMS characterization
• Prior experience at an EV OEM, Tier 1 supplier, or battery manufacturer

Designed and assembled in the United States, Proterra’s innovative battery platform offers industry-leading energy density, durability, performance and safety systems – enabling Proterra EV batteries to be the premium choice for commercial vehicles and industrial equipment.

Proterra’s battery technology offers industry-leading energy density, safety systems, and durability. Proudly designed in Silicon Valley and assembled in Greer, South Carolina, Proterra® batteries are the premier choice to electrify commercial vehicles ranging from buses and trucks to construction equipment and more. Proterra is building innovative battery technology to power a better, more sustainable world.

Location: Onsite role in Greer, SC

Travel: < 20% Travel

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. There is no immigration sponsorship available for this role (ex: H1-B, OPT, CPT, TN or any other employment sponsorship).

Proterra is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all Employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including, but not limited to, lactation or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law or ordinance. Proterra participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program (E-Verify).