Technical Leader, Power Conversion Systems, Ford Energy

Ford•Dearborn, MI

1d•$115,500 - $218,100•Hybrid

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. The Technical Specialist, Power Conversion Systems (PCS) will serve as Ford Energy’s Principal Technical Architect for BESS power conversion and grid-interface systems. This is a high-visibility, Individual Contributor (SME) role responsible for the technical direction, integration, and "bankability" of our DC blocks and their transition to the utility grid. You will act as the ultimate technical authority for inverter selection, transformer coordination, and grid compliance, ensuring that Ford Energy’s solutions are technically superior, economically viable, and financially defensible to project investors.

Requirements

Master’s degree in electrical engineering, Power Electronics, or a related technical field.
10+ years of experience in power electronics, grid-connected energy systems, or high-voltage electrification.
Deep technical expertise in battery systems, inverter/converter operation, and grid interconnection architecture.
Demonstrated experience with utility-scale grid modeling (PSCAD, PSS/E) and interconnection studies.
Strong understanding of UL, IEC, IEEE, and NFPA standards relevant to BESS.

Nice To Haves

PhD in Electrical Engineering or Power Electronics.
Direct experience with stationary BESS or large-scale solar inverter integration.
Experience supporting the project financing process (technical due diligence) for energy infrastructure.
Background in automotive high-voltage systems with transferable rigor to BESS applications.
Technical Visionary capable of defining the future of power conversion for the American grid.
Strategic Influencer who can translate complex power electronics math into clear business risks and opportunities for executive audiences.
Safety-First Architect who prioritizes long-term asset performance and grid stability.
Collaborative SME who thrives in a fast-paced startup environment while maintaining corporate-level technical rigor.

Responsibilities

Provide senior technical leadership for the architecture and integration of the BESS platform with PCS systems, including DC-side interface requirements and protection strategies.
Define the "Interoperability Standard" to ensure the Ford Energy DC block can seamlessly integrate with a variety of global inverter (PCS) partners.
Define and review technical interfaces for interconnection architecture, including voltage matching, insulation coordination, and grounding philosophy.
Oversee the development and validation of high-fidelity grid models (e.g., PSCAD, PSS/E, MATLAB/Simulink) required for utility interconnection studies and witness testing.
Ensure that PCS control behavior supports advanced grid services such as synthetic inertia, black start, and rapid frequency response.
Lead technical risk reviews (DFMEA) for PCS/BESS interfaces, focusing on transient response and EMI/EMC concerns.
Support the "bankability" of Ford Energy projects by leading technical due diligence discussions with Independent Engineering (IE) firms, lenders, and insurers.
Establish the cybersecurity hardware standards for the PCS and communications interface to ensure compliance with NERC-CIP and other critical infrastructure requirements.
Lead the strategy for UL and IEEE certification (e.g., UL 1741, IEEE 1547), working with labs to define test strategies and close technical gaps.
Analyze field usage and diagnostics data to identify failure trends or control instability, converting data into engineering actions.
Lead Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for complex system failures involving PCS behavior or grid-side anomalies.
Serve as a technical mentor to the Senior Engineer (Integration) and Commissioning teams to ensure engineering knowledge is transferred to the field.