Technical Specialist, Next Generation Battery Cell Integration, Ford Energy

Ford Energy is seeking a Technical Specialist to lead the technical integration of next-generation battery chemistry into Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

The role is responsible for translating BESS-level performance, life, safety, reliability, operational, and cost objectives into battery cell and battery subsystem requirements while leading the technical evaluation, selection, validation, and integration of next-generation battery technologies.

The Technical Specialist will work closely with various teams to ensure successful integration of next-generation battery technologies into commercially viable energy storage products.

Responsibilities:

• Lead Next-Generation Battery Technology Integration
• Serve as Ford Energy's technical subject matter expert for next-generation battery chemistry.
• Translate BESS application requirements into cell and battery subsystem technical requirements.
• Define cell-level targets for energy capability, power capability, efficiency, operating temperature range, cycle life, calendar life, safety and reliability, and cost and total cost of ownership.
• Establish operating windows, performance requirements, and integration criteria supporting grid-scale and commercial energy storage applications.
• Evaluate and Select Battery Cell Technologies
• Lead technical evaluation of next-generation battery cell technologies and work with cell suppliers.
• Assess supplier capability, technology maturity, performance, degradation behavior, safety, manufacturability, scalability, quality, and supply chain readiness.
• Support RFQ/RFI activities, supplier technical reviews, and sourcing decisions.
• Develop technical requirements, validation expectations, and success criteria for supplier programs.
• Lead Validation and Qualification Activities
• Define and execute cell characterization and validation strategies for next-generation battery technologies.
• Develop test plans covering performance characterization, rate capability, efficiency, thermal behavior, cycle aging, calendar aging, safety and abuse testing, and application-specific duty cycles.
• Review supplier and laboratory data and provide technical assessments and recommendations.
• Establish qualification criteria supporting product release and supplier approval decisions.
• Drive Cross-Functional System Integration
• Work closely with Cell Engineering, Module and Rack Engineering, Container Engineering, Battery Modeling & CAE, BMS Engineering, EMS Engineering, Power Conversion Systems (PCS) Engineering, Electrical Systems Engineering, Validation and Safety Teams, and Supplier Engineering.
• Translate cell behavior, limitations, and degradation characteristics into module-, rack-, and container-level design requirements.
• Support development of operating limits, thermal requirements, control strategies, safety requirements, and life assumptions.
• Drive technical alignment across engineering organizations and suppliers to ensure successful product integration.
• Lead Performance, Degradation, and Failure Analysis
• Investigate battery performance issues, abnormal aging, impedance growth, swelling, thermal concerns, and safety events.
• Lead root-cause investigations with internal teams and suppliers.
• Utilize laboratory, validation, and field data to improve cell requirements, supplier specifications, operating strategies, and future product designs.
• Support Battery Technology Strategy
• Assess emerging next-generation battery technologies and competitive battery solutions for energy storage applications.
• Support development of Ford Energy's battery technology roadmap and future cell sourcing strategies.
• Provide technical recommendations regarding technology adoption, development priorities, risks, and opportunities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Electrochemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in battery technology development, battery systems, or electrochemical energy storage technologies.
• Strong understanding of battery cell performance, degradation mechanisms, safety considerations, and operating limitations.
• Experience translating application or system requirements into cell-level technical requirements.
• Experience evaluating battery technologies and supplier capabilities.
• Experience reviewing and interpreting battery test results from suppliers, laboratories, or engineering teams.
• Ability to read and interpret test specifications, engineering drawings, and battery technical documents.
• Strong analytical, technical problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Experience working cross-functionally with battery, electrical, thermal, controls, validation, system engineering, or supplier teams.

Benefits:

• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time