Chief Engineer High Voltage Battery Systems

The Chief Engineer (CE) for High Voltage Battery Systems (HVBS) is the senior technical leader responsible for strategic direction, execution oversight, and organizational performance across multiple BEV battery programs. The CE leads and develops a team of Assistant Chief Engineers (ACEs) and technical specialists, ensuring delivery of best-in-class battery systems that meet targets for performance, cost, quality, and timing. This role is accountable for removing roadblocks, driving cross-functional alignment, and making critical engineering and business decisions to ensure program success. As the primary HVBS representative at the executive level, the CE provides vision, governance, and leadership across all aspects of battery system development, integration, validation, and launch.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Define and drive the technical vision and strategy for HVBS across all assigned BEV programs
• Ensure alignment with enterprise electrification, propulsion, and platform strategies
• Act as a change agent, driving continuous improvement, innovation, and organizational effectiveness
• Establish priorities and ensure alignment of resources to meet business and program objectives

Organizational Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Assistant Chief Engineers (ACEs) and senior technical leaders
• Build a high-performance engineering organization with strong accountability and ownership
• Drive a culture of technical excellence, urgency, and disciplined execution
• Ensure effective resource planning and capability development across HVBS

Program Oversight & Execution

• Provide executive oversight for all HVBS program deliverables across timing, cost, and performance
• Ensure ACEs successfully execute: Technical requirements definition; Validation and DVP&R completion; Issue resolution and program readiness
• Intervene to eliminate roadblocks and resolve escalated technical or organizational issues
• Drive program execution rigor and ensure adherence to development processes and milestones

Decision-Making & Governance

• Serve as the ultimate escalation point for technical decisions and cross-functional conflicts
• Provide final approval or guidance on critical tradeoffs impacting function, cost, timing, and quality
• Represent HVBS in: Executive leadership reviews; Propulsion System Tech Table; Cross-functional governance forums
• Ensure consistency and discipline in engineering standards, processes, and decision-making frameworks

Cross-Functional Integration

• Ensure strong alignment between HVBS and: Vehicle Engineering; Powertrain Integration; Manufacturing; Purchasing; Electrical Engineering Core; Electrification teams
• Drive seamless system integration and packaging alignment across all vehicle platforms
• Enable effective collaboration with suppliers and external partners

Risk Management & Problem Solving

• Oversee development and execution of program-level risk management strategies
• Ensure robust use of RMS (Risk Mitigation Slides) and proactive issue identification
• Lead resolution of critical technical challenges and systemic issues
• Promote data-driven decision-making and structured root cause analysis

Product Development & Technical Excellence

• Ensure robust execution of: System requirements development; Validation strategies and DVP&R compliance; Failure analysis and corrective action processes
• Champion standardization, reuse of validated components, and cost optimization
• Maintain high standards for quality, safety, reliability, and manufacturability

Manufacturing & Launch Readiness

• Ensure HVBS readiness for successful vehicle and plant launches
• Drive alignment with manufacturing to guarantee build quality and production robustness
• Support resolution of launch and early production issues

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field
• Minimum of 12+ years of relevant engineering experience, including significant leadership responsibility
• Extensive experience in High Voltage Battery Systems (HVBS) or electrified propulsion systems
• Strong knowledge of: DFMEA and DVP&R development and execution; Automotive product development lifecycle
• Proven ability to lead large, complex engineering programs and cross-functional teams
• Excellent analytical skills with a track record of driving technical issue resolution at scale

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Engineering or related field
• Experience leading multiple programs or organizations in an automotive or electrification environment
• Deep expertise in: HVBS failure analysis and system troubleshooting; Battery Management Systems (BMS), including hardware and software
• Experience supporting vehicle launches and global manufacturing operations

Leadership & Competencies:

• Proven executive-level technical leadership and organizational management capability
• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate vision into execution
• Demonstrated ability to remove barriers, drive alignment, and enable teams to deliver
• Exceptional decision-making and problem-solving skills in complex, high-pressure environments
• Outstanding communication and influencing skills, including executive-level presentations
• Ability to lead through change, ambiguity, and organizational transformation
• Strong focus on accountability, results, and continuous improvement