Joe Howard
About Joe Howard
Joe Howard serves as the Lead Equipment Engineer for Battery Systems at Northvolt, where he focuses on the technical development of equipment for manufacturing battery modules and packs. He has extensive experience in engineering roles at Dyson and Laser Quantum Ltd., and holds multiple qualifications in physics and process management.
Work at Northvolt
Currently, Joe Howard serves as the Lead Equipment Engineer for Battery Systems at Northvolt, a position he has held since 2020. In this role, he focuses on the technical development of equipment for manufacturing battery modules and packs, specifically targeting the stationary energy storage market. He coordinates with both internal and external teams to ensure optimal technical performance of all equipment related to battery systems. His responsibilities include delivering automated equipment for series production, contributing to Northvolt's mission of creating sustainable battery solutions.
Education and Expertise
Joe Howard has a diverse educational background in engineering and physics. He studied Physics at Loughborough University, where he earned a 1st Class BSc (Hons) from 2005 to 2009. He furthered his studies at the University of Technology, Sydney, achieving a DIntS in Applied Physics and Business in 2008. Additionally, he completed courses in 3D Computer Aided Design at The Manchester College, attaining City & Guilds certifications in 3D Parametric Modelling. He also studied Lean Six Sigma at Process Management International (PMI), achieving both Green and Black Belts in 2011 and 2014, respectively.
Background in Engineering
Joe Howard has extensive experience in engineering, particularly in the energy storage sector. He worked at Dyson in various roles, including Engineering Manager, Senior Engineer - Energy Storage, Manufacturing Engineer, and Process Development Engineer - Advanced, from 2015 to 2020. Prior to his tenure at Dyson, he was employed at Laser Quantum Ltd. as a Technical Support Engineer and later as Lead Continuous Improvement Engineer. His career began as a Laser Production Engineer at Laser Quantum Ltd. from 2009 to 2011. This diverse experience has equipped him with a solid foundation in equipment engineering and process development.
Key Contributions and Projects
Throughout his career, Joe Howard has played a significant role in the development and delivery of prototype equipment aimed at enhancing manufacturing processes and producing validation products. His involvement in the technical development of equipment for battery systems has been pivotal in advancing production capabilities. At Dyson, he contributed to various engineering projects that focused on energy storage solutions. His expertise in Lean Six Sigma methodologies has also supported continuous improvement initiatives in the organizations he has worked for.