Cobi Allen

About Cobi

I am a Battery Test Methodology Engineer at Jaguar Land Rover. I use my knowledge of materials chemistry and data science to impove efficiency and reliability of prototype battery testing. The battery designs I am testing today could be what powers your next Jaguar or Land Rover vehicle. I also have a keen interest in aviation, frequent flyer programmes, sailing, cycling, and other outdoor activities.

Please see below for more details on my skills and experience.

Materials Science

Materials Science

Data Science

Data Science

Battery Technology

Battery Technology

Battery Technology

Test Facility Management

Professional Experience

Methodology Engineer, Battery and Electrification Test Operations
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR)
October 2018 - Present

  • Gained hands-on experience with developing, programming, and maintaining battery tests.
  • Researched a variety of battery cell and pack formats and chemistries to optimise cost and performance of electrified vehicles.
  • Developed software tools using Python and MATLAB to automate various steps of battery testing, including procedure file creation, data analysis, report generation, and publishing utilization statistics to a Tableau dashboard.
  • Collaborated with a JLR-affiliated start-up to develop a charging strategy for an electric taxi fleet to maximise utilization and improve battery longevity.
  • Used a variety of data science tools, including Apache Spark, Google BigQuery, SQL, R, Python, and Tableau to develop an interactive web-based dashboards that allow users to visualise live battery, charging and location data for the electric taxi fleet.
  • Liaised with external suppliers to lead a lithium ion cell lifetime testing programmes.
  • Presented conclusions from cell testing programmes to groups of managers and colleagues with varying backgrounds and degrees of technical experience.
  • Created process documentation and FMEAs to standardise lithium ion cell testing procedures, ensure testing consistency, reduce component failures, and comply with international standards.

Travel Consultant
JuicyMiles.com Award Booking Service
November 2016 – September 2018

  • Interacted with clients both verbally and over email to find the ideal travel solution for their needs and collection of airline miles.
  • Simplified the complex network of airline and credit card partnerships and alliances to advise clients on the earning and redemption of airline miles.

Researcher in Bioplastics Laboratory
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California
Visolis, Inc.
University of California, Berkeley
June 2016 – August 2016

  • Used Design of Experiments to develop and optimize a catalytic process for bioplastic synthesis, while maximising time efficiency.
  • Scaled up the synthetic process and ran cost analysis to determine commercial viability.

Research Assistant in Organic Electrochemistry Laboratory
University of California, Santa Barbara
May 2015 – March 2016

  • Worked on a project involving development of organic photoredox catalysts.
  • Familiarised myself with the process of scientific research in an academic setting.

Marketing and Finance Analyst
51 Clicks – start-up digital marketing agency
July 2014 – September 2014

  • Engaged in verbal and written communication with various commercial clients in a business setting to evaluate their advertising needs and advise on potential advertising solutions.
  • Managed client Google AdWords and Facebook Ads advertising portfolios and related finances.

Skills

Programming Languages
  • Python
  • R
  • SQL
  • MATLAB
  • HTML + CSS
  • JavaScript
  • VBA
Data Visualisation
  • Plotly
  • Tableau
  • R Shiny
Cloud Computing
  • Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
  • Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Data Analysis + Machine Learning
  • pandas
  • Scikit-learn
  • Apache Spark
  • MATLAB Statistics and Machine Learning Toolbox
Materials Characterisation + Analytical Chemistry
  • Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
  • Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)
  • Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
  • Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM)
  • Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD)
  • X-ray Diffraction (XRD)
  • Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS)
  • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR) – 1H, 13C, and 6,7Li
  • High-performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
  • Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
Materials Modelling
  • Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
  • Crystal Plasticity Modelling
  • Density Functional Theory (DFT)
  • Monte Carlo Simulation
Battery Testing
  • Cell/Module/Pack Performance and Ageing Testing
  • Design Verification (DV) Test Plan Creation
  • Li-ion Cell Ageing Modelling
  • Li-ion Battery Safety Standards
Test Facility Management
  • Test Scheduling to Optimise Facility Utilisation
  • Test Data Flow Automation
  • Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
  • Eight Diciplines Problem Solving (8D)

Education

Imperial College London
MSc Advanced Materials Science and Engineering, with Distinction, September 2018

  • Gained a more in-depth knowledge of the structures and properties of various materials systems through a variety of classes, including Engineering Alloys, Materials Characterisation, and Materials Modelling.
  • Enhanced computer literacy and data analysis skills, with projects involving MATLAB, Python, and materials simulation software running in a Linux environment.
  • Improved research skills, project management ability, and ability to communicate with supervisors and peers during research project on the simulation of plastic deformation in titanium alloys.
  • Enhanced familiarity with materials analysis, characterisation, and modelling techniques in a fast-paced learning environment.
  • Organised study groups to work with peers on projects and coursework.

University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)
BSc Chemistry and Biochemistry, March 2016, High Honours

  • Established a basis for my interest in materials science by taking several elective materials science and mechanical/chemical engineering modules in addition to my required chemistry classes.
  • Learned laboratory safety skills and analytical chemical characterisation techniques.