Packaging Engineer, Ford Energy

Ford Motor • Glendale, KY

20h • Onsite

About The Position

Ford Energy is a newly formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company dedicated to accelerating U.S. energy independence. Leveraging Ford’s century of manufacturing excellence and world-class battery energy storage systems (BESS) technology, Ford Energy designs, manufactures, and services grid-scale and commercial DC battery energy storage systems (BESS). Ford Energy is uniquely positioned to capture the growing demand for reliable, US-built energy storage systems. We are not just building batteries; we are building the infrastructure for the next generation of the American grid. At Ford Energy, you have the backing of an industrial manufacturing powerhouse with the agility of a dedicated energy startup offering industry leading technology. We offer a competitive compensation package including performance-based bonuses, Ford vehicle discounts, and the opportunity to shape the energy strategy of one of the world's most iconic brands. As a Packaging Engineer you will lead material flow initiatives within the facility to enable continuous production in a high-paced, highly automated, next generation gigafactory. Your primary focus will be to manage and optimize the supply chain of Ford and Supplier owned packaging of battery manufacturing components. In this role you will play a crucial part of industrializing Ford Energy Battery Systems, scaling operations at our Glendale facility. This is a high-impact, startup role within a legacy manufacturing powerhouse. Lead with Purpose: Apply engineering principles and analytical techniques to establish, optimize, and continuously improve high-volume battery storage manufacturing and assembly processes. Innovate: Use your entrepreneurial mindset to drive production throughput, line balancing, and labor efficiency for a massive manufacturing site. Empower Others: Create a culture of lean manufacturing excellence, fostering an environment where standardized work and data-driven production solutions thrive.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering, Packaging Engineering, Supply Chain/Logistics, or a related field
• 1 or more years of experience working in a manufacturing environment (internship and/or coop experience will be considered)
• 1 or more years of experience related to the deployment of packaging and interfacing with automation
• Ability to travel as needed for both domestic and international, up to 50%
• Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD, MODAPTS, and manufacturing simulation tools
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (particularly Excel and PowerPoint)
• Working knowledge of Teamcenter Engineering, CATIA V5 or similar application(s)
• Strategic visionary: Translates production data into scalable manufacturing strategies aligned with the growing BESS industry
• Decisive under pressure: Makes rapid, data-driven decisions during line balancing and production ramp-up.
• Adaptable: Leads effectively in an evolving startup environment and supports a 24/7 operation, including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed

Nice To Haves

• Fabrication knowledge with steel and aluminum racking
• Experience with a variety of packaging materials
• Experience in Greenfield site development or high-volume automotive, battery, or electronics manufacturing.
• Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or Black Belt).
• Experience with 8D, 5-Why analysis, DMAIC/DMADV methodologies, and lean tools (6S, Kanban, Poka-Yoke, Value Stream Mapping).
• Familiarity with engineering change and release systems (e.g., WERS, CORA, or similar)
• Strong communication, collaboration, and team-building skills
• Passion for energy systems and U.S. energy independence

Responsibilities

• Lead cross functional projects concentrated around material flow and component packaging that interfaces with both automation and manufacturing operators
• Work with Ford Purchasing and fabrication suppliers to quote, analyze bids, and procure production fleets
• Monitor packaging development(s) progress, including fabricator quality and planning to ensure developments meet standards and expectations
• Forecasting and management of operating expense and capital budgets
• Schedule and complete transportation testing. Work with our test engineer to determine test criteria and document pass/fail conditions. If required, develop and implement an action plan to correct any issues identified during testing
• Lead Kaizen activities to optimize returnable and disposable packaging fleets
• Improve part protection, functionality, density and durability
• Advance the science and discipline of packaging engineering through the pursuit of new technologies, methods, and ideas

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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level