BESS Battery Module Program Manager, Ford Energy
Ford Energy
Michigan
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. In this position... The Battery Module Program Manager will lead the end-to-end development of a next-generation BESS battery module variant, from upfront architecture definition through validation, industrialization, launch, and early production stabilization. This role will work in close partnership with the customer, external module and module manufacturing line suppliers, Ford Energy Engineering, Ford Auto Engineering, Supplier Technical Assistance, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams to deliver a module built around LFP prismatic cells and manufactured in Kentucky. This position is accountable for disciplined program execution across timing, scope, quality, cost, and launch readiness. The ideal candidate will be equally comfortable driving early-phase module design decisions and leading the cross-functional execution required to bring the module into production. This is a highly visible role that requires technical credibility, strong program leadership, and the ability to align internal and external stakeholders around a common plan. What you'll do...
- Module Development and Program Leadership
- Lead the full program lifecycle for the BESS battery module, from initial requirements definition and concept development through design release, validation, launch, and production stabilization.
- Own integrated program timing, scope, risk management, issue resolution, and action tracking across internal Ford teams and external suppliers.
- Drive regular program reviews, decision forums, and escalation paths to ensure disciplined execution and timely closure of open items.
- Translate customer and business requirements into executable engineering, manufacturing, and launch plans.
- Upfront Module Design and Technical Alignment
- Lead coordination of upfront module design activities, including architecture definition, interface alignment, manufacturability, serviceability, and robustness.
- Support the development of the module around LFP prismatic cells, ensuring design assumptions, packaging constraints, thermal considerations, and assembly requirements are clearly aligned.
- Coordinate technical input from Ford Energy Engineering, Ford Auto Engineering, and Supplier Technical Assistance to support sound design decisions.
- Ensure module requirements are mature before launch into validation and industrialization gates.
- Support early DFMEA, design reviews, and technical tradeoff discussions to reduce downstream launch risk.
- Supplier Collaboration and Industrialization
- Serve as the primary program interface with the customer and external module and line suppliers for module development and launch execution.
- Ensure supplier deliverables, tooling readiness, equipment maturity, and manufacturing assumptions are aligned with program timing and technical requirements.
- Drive cross-functional coordination across prototype builds, validation builds, pilot builds, and production launch events.
- Work closely with manufacturing teams in Kentucky to confirm process readiness, line capability, and launch support needs.
- Monitor supplier progress against program commitments and escalate issues that may affect timing, quality, or cost.
- Validation, Launch, and Production Readiness
- Lead program execution through APQP-style development gates, including design validation, process validation, and launch readiness reviews.
- Support completion of key launch deliverables such as DFMEA, PFMEA, control plan development, PPAP readiness, and build event closure.
- Drive issue resolution through prototype, validation, and launch phases using structured problem-solving and clear ownership.
- Ensure a safe, stable, and high-quality transition from development into production.
- Support early production stabilization and corrective action planning for issues identified during launch.
- Ensure program activities align with applicable quality, safety, and battery-specific requirements.
- Maintain clear visibility into program timing, cost, risks, open actions, and decision points for leadership and stakeholders.
- Prepare executive-level updates that clearly communicate program health, key issues, recovery plans, and next steps.
- Track key metrics and ensure timely closure of deliverables affecting design maturity, validation, launch, and production readiness.
- Support business-case alignment, supplier performance review, and launch budget awareness as required.
- Governance, Reporting, and Decision Support
- Maintain clear visibility into program timing, cost, risks, open actions, and decision points for leadership and stakeholders.
- Prepare executive-level updates that clearly communicate program health, key issues, recovery plans, and next steps.
- Track key metrics and ensure timely closure of deliverables affecting design maturity, validation, launch, and production readiness.
- Support business-case alignment, supplier performance review, and launch budget awareness as required.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related technical field.
- 7+ years of experience in automotive battery, energy storage, manufacturing, or technical program management.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex cross-functional programs with internal teams, customers, and external suppliers.
- Strong understanding of battery module development, manufacturing launch, and supplier industrialization.
- Proven ability to manage timing, risk, escalation, and stakeholder communication in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience working with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams.
- Experience with BESS, battery modules, EV battery systems, or high-voltage automotive battery programs.
- Familiarity with LFP cell-based architectures and prismatic cell module designs.
- Experience with APQP, PPAP, DV, PV, launch readiness, or similar automotive industrialization processes.
- Background working with contract manufacturers, module suppliers, or battery line integrators.
- Experience supporting manufacturing operations in the U.S., especially in greenfield or ramp-up environments.
- Master’s degree in Engineering, Program Management, or a related field.
- Leadership Attributes
- Highly organized and execution-focused leader with a strong sense of urgency and accountability.
- Skilled at driving alignment across engineering, manufacturing, supplier, and customer organizations.
- Technically credible, with the ability to understand complex battery and manufacturing issues.
- Clear communicator who can manage both detailed working-level discussions and executive-level updates.
- Collaborative, resilient, and capable of navigating ambiguity in a fast-moving development environment.
- Location & Travel
- Location: Dearborn, MI, hybrid work arrangement.
- Travel Expectations: Domestic and international travel required as needed to support customer meetings, supplier sites, development builds, manufacturing launch activities, and global coordination.
Posted 2026-07-30
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