Technical Specialist, Next Generation Battery Cell Integration, Ford Energy

Ford • Dearborn, MI

7d • $115,500 - $218,100 • Hybrid

About The Position

Ford Energy is seeking a Technical Specialist to lead the technical integration of next-generation battery chemistry into Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). This role is responsible for translating BESS-level performance, life, safety, reliability, operational, and cost objectives into battery cell and battery subsystem requirements while leading the technical evaluation, selection, validation, and integration of next-generation battery technologies. The position serves as the primary technical bridge between cell suppliers and Ford Energy's battery, system, controls, and product engineering organizations. The Technical Specialist will work closely with Cell Engineering, Module and Rack Engineering, Container Engineering, Battery Modeling, BMS, EMS, Power Conversion Systems (PCS), Electrical Systems, Validation, Safety, and Supplier Engineering teams to ensure successful integration of next-generation battery technologies into commercially viable energy storage products. This role will also help shape Ford Energy's battery technology roadmap by assessing emerging next-generation battery technologies, identifying strategic opportunities and technical risks, and guiding future technology adoption decisions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Electrochemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in battery technology development, battery systems, or electrochemical energy storage technologies.
• Strong understanding of battery cell performance, degradation mechanisms, safety considerations, and operating limitations.
• Experience translating application or system requirements into cell-level technical requirements.
• Experience evaluating battery technologies and supplier capabilities.
• Experience reviewing and interpreting battery test results from suppliers, laboratories, or engineering teams.
• Ability to read and interpret test specifications, engineering drawings, and battery technical documents.
• Strong analytical, technical problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Experience working cross-functionally with battery, electrical, thermal, controls, validation, system engineering, or supplier teams.

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. in Electrochemistry, Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline.
• Experience with next-generation battery chemistries and associated performance, life, and safety characteristics.
• Experience supporting battery technology selection, qualification, and integration for BESS applications.
• Experience leading supplier technical assessments, joint development programs, or advanced technology evaluations.
• Deep knowledge of commercial and emerging battery technologies and their applicability to energy storage systems.
• Experience correlating cell-level performance, degradation, and failure modes to module-, rack-, and system-level outcomes.
• Experience supporting battery technology roadmaps and strategic technology assessments.
• Familiarity with battery modeling, battery management systems, and digital engineering tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead Next-Generation Battery Technology Integration: Serve as Ford Energy's technical subject matter expert for next-generation battery chemistry. Translate BESS application requirements into cell and battery subsystem technical requirements. Define cell-level targets for energy capability, power capability, efficiency, operating temperature range, cycle life, calendar life, safety and reliability, cost and total cost of ownership. Establish operating windows, performance requirements, and integration criteria supporting grid-scale and commercial energy storage applications.
• Evaluate and Select Battery Cell Technologies: Lead technical evaluation of next-generation battery cell technologies and work with cell suppliers. Assess supplier capability, technology maturity, performance, degradation behavior, safety, manufacturability, scalability, quality, and supply chain readiness. Support RFQ/RFI activities, supplier technical reviews, and sourcing decisions. Develop technical requirements, validation expectations, and success criteria for supplier programs.
• Lead Validation and Qualification Activities: Define and execute cell characterization and validation strategies for next-generation battery technologies. Develop test plans covering performance characterization, rate capability, efficiency, thermal behavior, cycle aging, calendar aging, safety and abuse testing, and application-specific duty cycles. Review supplier and laboratory data and provide technical assessments and recommendations. Establish qualification criteria supporting product release and supplier approval decisions.
• Drive Cross-Functional System Integration: Work closely with Cell Engineering, Module and Rack Engineering, Container Engineering, Battery Modeling & CAE, BMS Engineering, EMS Engineering, Power Conversion Systems (PCS) Engineering, Electrical Systems Engineering, Validation and Safety Teams, and Supplier Engineering. Translate cell behavior, limitations, and degradation characteristics into module-, rack-, and container-level design requirements. Support development of operating limits, thermal requirements, control strategies, safety requirements, and life assumptions. Drive technical alignment across engineering organizations and suppliers to ensure successful product integration.
• Lead Performance, Degradation, and Failure Analysis: Investigate battery performance issues, abnormal aging, impedance growth, swelling, thermal concerns, and safety events. Lead root-cause investigations with internal teams and suppliers. Utilize laboratory, validation, and field data to improve cell requirements, supplier specifications, operating strategies, and future product designs.
• Support Battery Technology Strategy: Assess emerging next-generation battery technologies and competitive battery solutions for energy storage applications. Support development of Ford Energy's battery technology roadmap and future cell sourcing strategies. Provide technical recommendations regarding technology adoption, development priorities, risks, and opportunities.

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.
• Performance-based bonuses
• Ford vehicle discounts

What This Job Offers

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