Manager, Battery Build and Test Lab

Ford Motor Company

Manager of Battery Build and Test Lab overseeing battery components and systems testing. Leading a team to ensure strategic operations and safety protocols are met.

Posted 6/8/2026full-timeLong Beach • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorLead💰 $167,200 - $316,600 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Manage, mentor, and grow a team of battery validation engineers and lab technicians, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and engineering excellence.
Spearhead the operational ramp-up of the EVDC2 battery lab. Oversee facility upgrades, equipment installation, and capability expansion to bring the lab fully up to speed for next-gen programs.
Manage the lab’s operational budget, resource allocation, and capital equipment procurement (including cyclers, environmental chambers, chillers, and DAQ systems).
Oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of comprehensive battery pack validation test plans, covering performance, durability, and abuse categories.
Establish, enforce, and continuously improve rigorous High Voltage (HV) and battery abuse testing safety protocols to ensure a secure working environment.
Collaborate with senior leadership and cross-functional teams (systems engineering, cell engineering, manufacturing, quality, and service) to align lab testing capabilities with future vehicle program requirements.
Drive the strategic roadmap for data storage, visualization, and automated test system architectures.
Manage relationships, contracts, and capacity planning with external vendors, partners, and third-party test labs to supplement internal capabilities.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
8+ years of experience in battery testing, validation, or complex lab operations.
3+ years of experience in an engineering leadership or management role.
Proven track record of commissioning, upgrading, or managing large-scale testing facilities/labs (direct experience bringing a lab "up to speed").
Deep knowledge of battery chemistry, physics, HV safety standards, and global battery regulations.
Experience managing capital equipment procurement and lab operating budgets.
Strong leadership, strategic problem-solving, and cross-functional communication skills.
Experience overseeing structural, electrical, thermal, and mechanical systems testing.

Benefits

Comp & perks

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.

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

battery testingbattery validationlab operationscapital equipment procurementHV safety standardsbattery chemistrybattery physicsstructural testingelectrical testingmechanical systems testing

Soft Skills

leadershipstrategic problem-solvingcross-functional communicationmentoringcontinuous improvementteam managementresource allocationplanningcoordinationexecution

Certifications

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering