Thermal/ Mechanical Engineer, Battery System

QuantumScape is on a mission to transform energy storage with solid-state lithium-metal battery technology. The company’s next-generation batteries are designed to enable greater energy density, faster charging and enhanced safety to support the transition away from legacy energy sources toward a lower carbon future. About the role: As Thermal/ Mechanical Engineer, you own the physical design of the product. You translate circuit boards and battery packs into a manufacturable shelf that fits the rack, survives the data center environment, and can be serviced by a technician in seconds. Why this role matters:  Hyperscalers don't negotiate on rack geometry. If the shelf doesn't fit, doesn't cool, or can't be serviced in seconds, it doesn't get evaluated- regardless of how good the electrical design is. You are also the company's primary interface to the hyperscaler's mechanical integration team during qualification. Your design fluency with their unwritten preferences (not just the published specs) can compress the qualification timeline by months. In a product where power electronics and battery cells share a tight enclosure, you are the person who makes coexistence physically possible. What you'll do: Design the complete mechanical enclosure (1OU or 2OU shelf) in SolidWorks or Creo: sheet metal chassis, busbar routing, internal structural supports, and external connector interfaces Solve the core thermal challenge: power semiconductors and magnetics (tolerant to 100-125°C junction) sharing an enclosure with solid-state battery cells (requiring sub-45-60°C operation) - via directed airflow         paths, thermal isolation zones, heat spreaders, and fan selection Run CFD simulations (Ansys Icepak, FloTHERM, or 6SigmaET) to optimize airflow distribution under worst-case conditions: full electrical load, 35-40°C inlet air (ASHRAE A1/A2), fan degradation scenarios Design to OCP ORv3 mechanical specifications:shelf width, depth, connector position, airflow direction (front-to-back), ejector handle placement, guide rail interface, and weight-per-OU limits Develop the hot-swap sled mechanism with proper insertion/extraction force curves, blind-mate power connector alignment, and guide rail compliance for tool-less serviceability Collaborate with the battery systems engineer on cell pack mounting, compression, thermal interface materials, and mechanical isolation within the enclosure Perform vibration and shock analysis for shipping (ISTA 3-series) and seismic requirements (GR-63-CORE or Bellcore Zone 4) Lead DFM engagement with contract manufacturers: tolerances, tooling, bend radii, spot welding, PEM fastener insertion, and assembly sequence optimization Support UL 62368-1 mechanical and flammability requirements (material selection for 94 V-0, spacing, enclosure integrity) Interface directly with hyperscaler mechanical integration teams during qualification reviews What you bring: …