Battery Pack Technical Specialist
The Battery Pack Technical Specialist provides deep technical expertise and hands-on engineering support for high-volume battery pack assembly systems. Reporting to the Battery Pack Assembly Manufacturing Engineering Manager, this individual contributor role serves as the technical authority on assembly processes, joining technologies, dispensing expertise and equipment performance—supporting the value stream from concept and Simultaneous Engineering through equipment runoff, installation, commissioning, and Rate of Climb (RoC).
As a key technical resource within our skills-based organization, you will drive resolution of complex engineering issues, provide subject-matter expertise to engineering teams, and support launch excellence across battery pack assembly programs.
What you'll be able to do:
1. Technical Expertise & Mentorship
- Serve as the go-to technical resource for manufacturing engineers on battery pack assembly systems, processes, and equipment.
- Mentor and coach engineers on best practices, troubleshooting techniques, and emerging assembly technologies.
- Support technical training initiatives and contribute to the development of internal technical standards and guides.
2. Pack & Program Manufacturing Engineering Support
- Provide technical input on Design for Assembly / Design for Manufacturing (DFA/DFM) during early concept and feasibility studies.
- Support Core Program Team requirements, including OneSpot/Functional Specifications, process sheets, build sequences, and equipment takt time.
- Provide hands-on technical support for the design, procurement, and integration of assembly stations, transport systems (conveyance, robotics, material handling), and test equipment.
- Support make-like-production and machine tryout part procurement strategies for physical build phases.
3. Quality, Safety, & Process Governance
- Contribute to the development and governance of PFMEAs, and collaborate with Product Development on Safety and Critical Characteristics Association Forms (SCCAFs) and Control Plans (DCP).
- Ensure technical alignment with Bill of Process (BoP), Equipment Standard (E2KS), and Manufacturing Delivery/Program Standards (MDS/MPS).
- Provide technical expertise on GDT, dimensional stack-up analysis, vision systems, error-proofing, and end-to-end component traceability.
- Support MIDAS deliverables for equipment validation and lead technical issue resolution (PDCA) from builds through Rate of Climb (RoC).
- Collaborate with Product Engineering team to ensure compliance with bill of design and bill of process requirements, supporting Design for Manufacturing initiatives.
4. Advanced Manufacturing, Digital Validation, & Joining Technologies
- Support Simultaneous Engineering (SE) and Digital Job 1 (Virtual Validation) activities, utilizing simulation, digital line validation, and virtual commissioning.
- Provide technical input on cycle line layouts, facilities layouts, labor modeling, and throughput optimization.
- Serve as subject-matter expert for specialized joining processes, including fastening (bolt feeders/feed systems), adhesives/sealants (dispense systems), welding, and riveting.
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues related to joining process performance and equipment reliability.
- Support transition of department from project-based to skillset-based organization.
5. Supplier & Technical Collaboration
- Provide technical review support for Statements of Work (SOW) and Enquiry Specifications tied to equipment Design and Build.
- Participate in supplier technical reviews and quoting recaps, providing technical guidance to support PO readiness.
- Support OEM runoff, installation planning, on-site commissioning, and final capability demonstrations, ensuring technical conformance to Ford standards.
- Contribute technical input to cost study submissions and capture program lessons learned for future process developments.
- Travel outside of the Southeast Michigan region as required to support supplier runoffs and plant launches.
The minimum requirements we seek:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or related).
- 5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience in assembly, automation-intensive, or launch environments, with demonstrated deep technical expertise in battery pack or similar high-volume assembly systems.
Our Preferred Requirements:
- Masters degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial) or equivalent advanced technical training.
- Direct experience supporting greenfield, brownfield, or major retool battery module or battery pack assembly manufacturing facilities.
- Strong technical understanding of automated assembly systems, conveyance, and robotics.
- Deep technical proficiency in joining technologies (adhesives, sealants, fastening, welding).
- Demonstrated experience with virtual engineering tools, simulation, virtual commissioning, AutoCAD, TeamCenter, and Aurora.
- Proven familiarity with Ford BME governance, DPA5 engineering workflows, and MDS/MPS.
- Understanding of Industrial Engineering and ergonomic principles; experience in Program Delivery preferred.
- Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!
As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:
• 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.
This position is leadership level 6 and ranges from $115,500-$218,100.
Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.
For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/LL6
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.
This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week.
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