Customer Engineer

Position: Customer Engineer

The Customer Engineer serves as the primary technical interface between customers and the company throughout the lifecycle of nickel-zinc (NiZn) battery systems deployed in data centers. This role combines expertise in NiZn battery technology, customer engagement, system troubleshooting, and project support to ensure successful testing, deployment, operation, and optimization of NiZn systems supporting critical power infrastructure. The ideal candidate has experience with NiZn or comparable industrial battery technologies, UPS architectures, data center infrastructure, and customer-facing technical support. This individual partners closely with engineering, product management, field service, sales, and operations teams to resolve technical issues, support customer initiatives, and deliver exceptional customer outcomes. This role will work onsite at ZincFive headquarters in Tualatin, Oregon, and reports to the Vice President of Engineering.

 Customer Engineer Job Duties:  

• Serve as a technical point of contact for customers during system design, deployment, commissioning, and operational phases
• Provide expert guidance on NiZn battery system architecture, battery characteristics, battery management and monitoring, UPS integration, operation, and maintenance
• Lead technical troubleshooting efforts for field issues and coordinate resolution with internal engineering teams
• Support customers and partners during battery system witness testing, integration and acceptance testing, installation and commissioning
• Plan and lead customer-facing testing of NiZn battery systems, including test readiness reviews, test plan reviews and procedure alignment
• Lead first-of-kind testing for new NiZn battery products, cabinet configurations, UPS integrations, firmware or control changes, and site-specific applications
• Define NiZn-appropriate test plans and acceptance criteria, coordinate stakeholders, manage technical risk, and translate findings into design, process, and documentation improvements
• Support root-cause analysis activities and drive corrective actions for field issues
• Identify opportunities to improve system performance, reliability, and customer experience
• Provide customer feedback to Product Management and Engineering to influence future product development
• Participate in pre-sales technical discussions, customer workshops, and design reviews
• Assist program and project managers with technical risk assessments and project execution
• Develop technical documentation, deployment guides, operating procedures, and training materials
• Conduct customer training sessions on battery system operation, safety procedures, monitoring platforms, and maintenance practices
• Mentor field technicians and service personnel on battery system technologies and best practices
• Other duties as assigned

 Requirements:  

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Energy Systems, or related technical discipline
• 5+ years of experience in customer engineering, technical support, field engineering, systems engineering, or power systems
• Experience with industrial battery systems, UPS systems, data center infrastructure, or mission-critical power environments
• Experience planning, executing, and documenting customer acceptance testing or first-of-kind testing for complex battery or electromechanical systems
• Strong understanding of electrical power systems, including UPS and backup power architectures
• Experience troubleshooting complex electrical and electromechanical systems
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical specifications
• Proven ability to lead cross‑functional and customer‑facing engagements
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience working directly with customers
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 30%

Preferred Experience/Skills: 

• Hands-on experience supporting battery energy storage systems in UPS, data center, telecommunications, or other mission-critical power applications
• Experience working within data center environments
• Direct experience with NiZn, lead‑acid, lithium-ion, or other aqueous battery systems
• Experience working with data center operators, OEM UPS suppliers, electrical contractors, commissioning agents, or critical infrastructure customers
• Experience supporting product validation, system commissioning, site acceptance testing, or field deployments
• Familiarity with battery monitoring systems, SCADA platforms, DC power systems, or power quality monitoring tools
• Knowledge of electrical safety practices, lockout/tagout (LOTO), and energized electrical work environments
• Experience supporting root cause investigations and implementing corrective actions for field issues

 Key Competencies: 

• Integrity
• Technical ability with sound engineering/scientific judgment
• Customer Focus
• Planning and organizing
• Problem solving and analytical thinking
• Superior judgment and decision-making
• Collaboration and Teamwork
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Adaptability and resilience

 Physical Requirements and working conditions: 

• Work involves sitting, standing, walking, and occasionally lifting up to 40 pounds
• Domestic and international travel by car, airplane, bus & train
• Requires close visual acuity, the ability to distinguish color, and the ability to hear 
• Ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment, as required
• Work is performed in manufacturing, warehouse, laboratory, office, customer, and data center environments
• Must be able to maintain a level state of alertness while performing this job

 Salary offers will depend on factors that include the location you work from, your level, education, training, specific skills, years of experience and comparison to other employees already in this role. 

In addition, the successful candidate for this position will become eligible for a comprehensive set of outstanding benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401k, paid sick time, paid time off for vacation, paid holidays, paid community service days, professional/personal learning program, and applicable state/federal paid family leave. 

ZincFive is committed to employing a diverse workforce. As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status. We maintain a safe workplace and perform pre-employment testing. ZincFive is a participant in E-Verify and receives employment authorization of new hires through Social Security and the Department of Homeland Security databases.