Battery Pack Application Engineer

About the role

South 8 Technologies, Inc. is a fast-growing, well-funded battery company backed by leading global organizations. We have developed a groundbreaking new Liquefied Gas Electrolyte chemistry for next generation lithium batteries. Our proprietary technology enables a significant increase in energy density, improved safety, and an exceptionally wide operational temperature range. By leveraging conventional materials and established manufacturing processes, South 8 Technologies offers a unique, scalable solution for a variety of defense, e-mobility, energy storage, and industrial applications.

Founded in 2015 and spun out of UC San Diego’s Jacobs School of Engineering, South 8 Technologies is a diverse and dynamic team that values integrity, innovation, and hard work in an environment that encourages creative problem-solving, collaboration, and constructive feedback. Become a critical member of our team and grow alongside us as we redefine the energy landscape. Our company is based in the Bay Park area of San Diego, CA, but this position can be remote.

South 8 Technologies is seeking an Applications Engineer with a strong background in battery technologies and customer-facing experience. The Applications Engineer will be responsible for supporting customers in the design, integration, and optimization of battery packs built using our advanced battery cells.

Responsibilities

• Lead outreach and engagement with customers to understand their technical requirements, provide design guidance, and provide clear, concise, and accurate explanations of South 8’s battery technologies and solutions.
• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for customers integrating our cells into their battery packs.
• Support customer pack design, validation, and troubleshooting, including electrical, thermal, and mechanical considerations.
• Conduct application-level testing and validation to ensure pack performance and safety with our cells.
• Collaborate with the internal Engineering, Production, and Commercial teams to align product capabilities with customer needs.
• Develop and deliver technical documentation, design guidelines, and training for customers.
• Provide structured feedback to R&D and product teams based on field learnings.
• Participate in customer meetings, site visits, and design reviews as needed.
• Contribute to application engineering infrastructure (simulation tools, reference designs, test protocols).
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key customers, acting as a liaison between technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Represent South 8 at industry conferences, customer meetings, and other business development events.
• Support the creation of technical marketing materials, specification sheets, proposals, and customer success stories that highlight South 8’s technology and value proposition.
• Domestic and international travel to customer and industry locations on an as-needed basis, estimated at 25% travel.

Qualifications

• Required Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in battery pack design, development, and validation (modules and full packs).
• Strong understanding of lithium-ion (or next-gen) cell behavior, thermal management, BMS integration, and safety considerations.
• Hands-on experience building and testing packs, including prototyping and validation.
• Familiarity with pack standards, safety certifications (UL, UN38.3, etc.), and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to communicate complex technical topics to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Preferred: Experience at a startup or in early-stage technology commercialization, exposure to a variety of applications (EVs, stationary storage, aerospace, defense, etc.), experience with customer-facing roles or technical sales support, knowledge of reliability testing, failure analysis, and qualification protocols.

Benefits

• Opportunity to be the first Applications Engineer and shape the function at a fast-growing Series A company.
• Work at the intersection of cutting-edge battery science and real-world applications.
• Competitive salary, equity, and benefits package.
• Collaborative culture that values innovation, initiative, and customer success.

Pay

The expected starting salary range for this role is $115,000-$130,000 annually. The actual pay depends on multiple individualized factors, including education, job-related knowledge, experience, and skills, which will be assessed during the interview process. The comprehensive compensation package for this position may also include other elements, such as health benefits, 401k, and company stock options.

Schedule

Full-time position with domestic and international travel to customer and industry locations on an as-needed basis, estimated at 25% travel.