Manager, Battery Build and Test Lab
About The Position
Ford’s Electric Vehicles, Digital and Design (EVDD) team is charged with delivering the company’s vision of a fully electric transportation future. EVDD is customer-obsessed, entrepreneurial, and data-driven and is dedicated to delivering industry-leading customer experience for electric vehicle buyers and owners. You’ll join an agile team of doers pioneering our EV future by working collaboratively, staying focused on only what matters, and delivering excellence day in and day out. Join us to make positive change by helping build a better world where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. In this position... The Manager of the Battery Build and Test Lab will be responsible for leading a high-performing team that enables innovation through the rapid testing and characterization of battery components and systems. A critical focus of this role will be spearheading the commissioning and operational ramp-up of the EVDC2 lab, bringing the facility up to speed to support world-class battery validation. This leader will manage daily lab operations, oversee test execution, enforce stringent safety protocols, and drive the strategic vision to successfully validate Ford’s next generation of EV batteries.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
- 8+ years of experience in battery testing, validation, or complex lab operations.
- 3+ years of experience in an engineering leadership or management role.
- Proven track record of commissioning, upgrading, or managing large-scale testing facilities/labs (direct experience bringing a lab "up to speed").
- Deep knowledge of battery chemistry, physics, HV safety standards, and global battery regulations.
- Experience managing capital equipment procurement and lab operating budgets.
- Strong leadership, strategic problem-solving, and cross-functional communication skills.
- Experience overseeing structural, electrical, thermal, and mechanical systems testing.
Nice To Haves
- Master's degree in Engineering or Business Administration (MBA).
- Direct experience launching automotive EV products and managing HV battery abuse testing facilities.
- Expertise in automated test system development and modern data management architectures.
- Experience using Confluence, Jira, Jama, or other project management tools for team and resource tracking.
- An eagerness to work cross-functionally in a dynamic environment where you are part of a high-performing team.
- A systems-thinking approach with the desire and curiosity to strive for exceptional delivery execution and continuous improvement.
Responsibilities
- Manage, mentor, and grow a team of battery validation engineers and lab technicians, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and engineering excellence.
- Spearhead the operational ramp-up of the EVDC2 battery lab. Oversee facility upgrades, equipment installation, and capability expansion to bring the lab fully up to speed for next-gen programs.
- Manage the lab’s operational budget, resource allocation, and capital equipment procurement (including cyclers, environmental chambers, chillers, and DAQ systems).
- Oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of comprehensive battery pack validation test plans, covering performance, durability, and abuse categories.
- Establish, enforce, and continuously improve rigorous High Voltage (HV) and battery abuse testing safety protocols to ensure a secure working environment.
- Collaborate with senior leadership and cross-functional teams (systems engineering, cell engineering, manufacturing, quality, and service) to align lab testing capabilities with future vehicle program requirements.
- Drive the strategic roadmap for data storage, visualization, and automated test system architectures.
- Manage relationships, contracts, and capacity planning with external vendors, partners, and third-party test labs to supplement internal capabilities.
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.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
