Technical Specialist, Certification and Regulatory Compliance, Ford Energy

Ford Motor•Dearborn, MI

8d•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, Certification and Regulatory Compliance will serve as the Senior Technical Lead for certification and regulatory compliance for assigned BESS programs, ensuring architectural alignment and technical execution. This is a highly visible, internal and customer-facing leadership role responsible for the technical path to UL certification and field-deployability. You will act as the technical bridge between engineering, commissioning, Sales PMO, and external reviewers, bringing the judgment needed to define what is required for a compliant, safe, and defensible system in a high-growth startup environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Systems, or Fire Protection Engineering.
10+ years of experience in BESS, energy storage, or electrical equipment certification.
Demonstrated ownership of UL certification programs for energy storage or related high-voltage systems.
Strong working knowledge of UL, NFPA, and TM-2 codes and standards.
Proven experience working with test laboratories, certification bodies, and independent engineering firms.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or PhD in a relevant technical field.
Direct experience with UL 9540, UL 9540A, UL 1973, and NFPA 855.
Experience interfacing with AHJs, insurers, lenders, and EPCs.
Background in independent engineering or technical due diligence for energy infrastructure.
Experience using CAE and simulation tools to support safety analysis and design verification.
Technical Bridge-Builder capable of coordinating complex requirements across engineering, sales, and external partners.
Position the role as a lead contributor to the development of products rather than the final arbiter of industry-wide standards
Strategic Risk Manager who identifies compliance risks early and establishes clear mitigation plans for project success.
Fluent Communicator able to distill complex regulatory concepts for both expert and non-expert audiences.

Responsibilities

Serve as the technical lead for UL certification strategy and execution, owning the compliance path across design, documentation, testing, and audit readiness.
Establish internal processes, checklists, and governance for certification readiness and project handoff across the BESS portfolio.
Define and maintain certification plans, pre-compliance assessments, and test matrices to support successful third-party reviews.
Monitor evolving certification standards and industry practices to provide actionable guidance for the product roadmap.
Ensure BESS solutions are designed and delivered in accordance with applicable UL, NFPA, TM-2, and related codes.
Guide CAE simulations for virtual validation (structural, thermal, ventilation) to ensure outputs are actionable and aligned with certification objectives.
Oversee site-specific plume analysis and dispersion assessments to support safe deployment and permitting.
Review system architecture and fire safety concepts to ensure alignment with applicable safety codes.
Lead technical engagement with UL and other laboratories, coordinating testing scope, evidence packages, and failure resolution.
Work directly with commissioning leadership to ensure certification-related installation and witness-test requirements are executed correctly in the field.
Lead root cause analysis for certification failures or field deviations, driving corrective actions with speed and documented traceability.
Develop and maintain technical compliance artifacts, including certification packages and customer-facing evidence.
Serve as the prime technical contact for certification laboratories and regulatory bodies.
Coordinate evidence packages and represent the organization on technical matters during third-party testing and audits.
Interface with internal and external senior technical management to communicate requirements, risks, and technical recommendations.
Partner with Sales PMO and engineering to ensure certification requirements are embedded in project schedules and acceptance criteria.