Lead Engineer - Advanced Battery Modules
Houston, TX, USA
Product – Battery Systems Engineering /
Full-time /
Hybrid
Fluence is the global market leader in energy storage technology solutions and services, combining the agility of a technology company with the expertise, vision, and financial backing of two well-established and respected industry giants. Building on the pioneering work of AES Energy Storage and Siemens energy storage, our goal is to create a more sustainable future by transforming the way we power our world. Providing design, delivery, and integration, Fluence offers proven energy storage technology solutions that address the diverse needs and challenges of customers in a rapidly transforming energy landscape.
The Lead Engineer - Advanced Battery Modules promotes solid execution excellence of battery modules, battery hardware and analytics. The person in this role will foster an exciting culture of accountability, innovation mixed with a heavy dose of fun. This position will be responsible for leading our extended battery team including electrochemistry, analytics integration, sensing hardware, busing, switches and module development. The leader will foster an environment of collaboration. They will ensure that interfaces of batteries and associated hardware/software are well understood and documented.
The person in this role will lead a team that delivers on time and launches with excellence. They will foster a culture of accountability and the pride that goes with delivering excellence. They will teach the value of speed and creativity to their teams. The person in this role must effectively collaborate with others outside of Engineering. They will collaborate to understand non-obvious opportunities and challenges.
What does a Lead Engineer - Advanced Battery Modules do at Fluence?
- Own the Engineering Module design at a system level. This person will be responsible for the design and invention of best-in-class battery module systems. Oversee the planning of the overall module design
- Lead the selection of technical choices with documentation on why these choices were selected. Manage this documentation. Lead the team through tough decision making, especially when decisions are ambiguous
- Assist with the technical planning of modules with attention to DFM/DFA, DFMEA, Analytical/Development/Verification/Certification activities
- Heavily supports the planning of thermal propagation system design. Approve the final strategy.
- Lead the planning of service and installation strategies
- Work with Product Management to establish requirements at a Battery Systems level. Challenge missing or incorrect requirements.
- Work with Program Management to establish product development timelines that are aggressive and realistic for product development and execution
- Work with supply chain team members to ensure on time sourcing and technical capability and correctness at each supplier location.
- Guide design release engineers/component owners through development and execution to ensure technical deliverables are met and all assembly components are executed with excellence
- Ensure a clean and smooth transition to the Execution Engineering team. Engineering details should be complete and technical issues largely closed.
- Proactively advise on processes. Advise the team what “good looks like”/expectations constantly. The team should understand expectations 30, 60, 90 and 180 days out.
- Advise on engineering, design and testing fundamentals. Oversee the engineers to make sure detailed work is not missed or skipped.
What does the ideal candidate look like?
- More than 5 years of Battery Systems design experience with experience launching module hardware
- Understanding of cell chemistry including cell bill of materials and cell manufacturing processes
- Understanding of BMS including cell balancing methods, cell sense boards, ASICs
- Understanding of thermal propagation mitigation methods
- Understanding of module validation methods – including analytical, developmental, verification and certification
- Understanding of DFM/DFA methods
- Understanding of GD&T
- Deep understanding of FEA, development testing, and validation
- Understanding of statistical methods. Understanding of Design for Six Sigma and Monte Carlo analysis is a bonus
- Understanding of DFMEA. Undertanding of Fault Trees is a bonus
- Ability to action complex and ambigious issues and drive a culture of accountability.
- Team player with excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts effectively.
- Ability to work independently, stay hyper-focused, and prioritize work effectively.
- Results-oriented, diligent, and detail-oriented.
- Ability to lead teams to outcomes through leadership by influence
- Ability to discuss complicated technical challenges that they resolved personally
- Understanding of CAD/PLM software. Knowledge of CREO is a bonus.
