Technical Specialist, Next Generation Battery Cell Integration, Ford Energy
Ford Motor CompanyOverview At Ford, you’ll work on ideas that matter, alongside passionate people who want to make a global impact. Together, we’re shaping the next era of transportation—grounded in purpose, driven by progress. Make your move. Job Type: Full time Work Type: Hybrid 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. Why Ford Energy? 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. Learn more at https://fordenergy.com. In this 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. What you'll do... 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 Application-specific duty cycles Review supplier and laboratory d…