Battery Manufacturing Engineer

At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters.

The Battery Manufacturing Engineering team is opening new highways with our next-generation propulsion systems. We're investing over $50 billion to build some of the most technologically advanced EV manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and E.U. to produce the next generation of Ford electric vehicles. State-of-the-art technologies and processes for battery cells, arrays, and packs are core to our competitive strategy and will provide endless opportunities to innovate and grow -- all while helping the environment.

Responsibilities

Process Optimization & Systems Management

• Provide technical expertise to optimize highly automated manufacturing equipment and processes through systemic, data-driven solutions, advanced automation, and enhanced process control.
• Act as a liaison between organizations to seamlessly integrate battery manufacturing equipment systems into process areas, ensuring alignment across engineering, operations, and support functions.
• Champion Interim Corrective Actions (ICAs) and Permanent Corrective Actions (PCAs) throughout installation, commissioning, and qualification activities to resolve issues and prevent recurrence.
• Review PM plan performance and effectiveness using machine data, driving improvement and constraint reduction of process equipment in alignment with Ford Motor Company Operating Systems.

Program & Product Launch Management

• Lead installation, commissioning, start-up, and launch activities at the manufacturing plant.
• Support feasibility studies on equipment design changes and lead modifications, vet designs against site and process capabilities, and usher implementation of corrective actions through project milestones.
• Own commissioning execution, including dry runs, safety validation, and final acceptance testing.
• Drive equipment qualification processes, ensuring capability, throughput, yield, and quality targets are achieved before production release.
• Lead production ramp-up planning and execution, establishing structured ramp methodologies to achieve rate, yield, and OEE targets.
• Lead identification, resolution, and closure of all feasibility, quality, packaging, tooling, safety, ergonomics, controls, purchasing, cost, and other issues throughout the life of the program.

Continuous Improvement & Equipment Life Cycle

• Oversee equipment re-tooling, upgrades, and optimization initiatives to support product changes, capacity increases, or performance improvements.
• Establish documentation standards, change management processes, and capture "Lessons Learned" to implement continuous improvement actions on future and scalable manufacturing programs.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Leadership

• Act as a bridge between departments to ensure optimal equipment performance, coordinating cross-functional readiness across engineering, operations, maintenance, quality, facilities, and EHS to ensure seamless start-of-production.
• Manage equipment vendors and installation contractors through installation, commissioning, and post-launch stabilization.
• Track and manage key ramp KPIs,including throughput, yield, scrap, uptime, cycle time, and MTBF/MTTR,using electronic tools and complex algorithms to improve department KPI performance.
• Identify technical risks early and implement mitigation plans to protect launch timing and performance targets.
• Provide regular program updates on schedule, budget, risks, and ramp performance to senior leadership.

Standards & Safety

• Ensure adherence to the Ford Production System (FPS) and Safety Operating System practices to achieve zero injuries and assist in the development and achievement of department KPIs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or above in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related technical field.
• 3-10+ years of relevant professional experience in a manufacturing environment (automotive or battery cell manufacturing preferred).
• Ability to work varied shifts and hours, including weekends, and travel extensively (90–100%), including internationally, to support plant launches and operations. Must be flexible and willing to work at different sites for periods ranging from several weeks to several months.

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.