Battery Manufacturing - Cell Formation Engineer

About the Position

In this position, you’ll help build the world‑class, state‑of‑the‑art smart vehicles we’re known for. In our plants around the world, we’re constantly developing new technologies and processes to further increase our efficiency. You’ll get the satisfaction of making great products people use and love.

The Battery Manufacturing Engineering team is opening new highways with our next‑generation propulsion systems. We’re investing over $50 billion to build some of the most technologically advanced EV manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and E.U. to produce the next generation of Ford electric vehicles. State‑of‑the‑art technologies and processes for battery cells, arrays, and packs are core to our competitive strategy and will provide endless opportunities to innovate and grow—all while helping the environment.

• Develop manufacturing processes: lead, engineer line layouts and implement Battery Manufacturing processes and launch manufacturing facilities. Processes include Formation, Capacity, and other processes such as electrode (mixing, coating, pressing, slitting), cell assembly (notching, drying, stacking, welding, packaging).
• Lead simultaneous engineering with Product, Purchasing, and Suppliers to deliver manufacturing feasibility, driving design for manufacturability for new cell and module products.
• Work closely with OEMs in the design of manufacturing equipment, processes, and tooling.
• Collaborate with automation and other technology partners to develop competitive solutions for productivity; understand and own ROI.
• Lead the development of quality methods including PFMEA, gauging requirements, and inspection methods. Deliver a control plan per the quality strategy.
• Develop assembly system solutions including workstation requirements (work content, automated vs. manual, buffering strategy, redundancy requirements, etc.).
• Define cycle time, OEE, and other performance targets with industrial engineering to develop optimal operating and labor strategies.
• Define equipment acceptance criteria—including duration, target results, and quality inspection plan.
• Manage schedule and budget.
• Track and own change management to deliver quality, cost, and timing objectives.
• Lead equipment installation and coordinate with building and utilities teams.
• Lead on‑site equipment buyoff per acceptance procedures.
• Support plant operations to achieve system performance objectives (OEE, cycle time, JPH, etc.).
• Enable successful process and system transition to plant operations.
• Create detailed manufacturing instructions to document new processes.
• Provide relevant process documentation (drawings, PM plans, spare parts, training manuals, etc.).
• Provide plant assistance to support launch requests and extraordinary needs with existing cell suppliers.
• Travel 85–90% of the time to support project execution and on‑site commissioning.

• Engineering degree (PhD preferred).
• Understanding and experience of overall manufacturing processes (battery preferred) and manufacturing business acumen; minimum 5+ years on major projects.
• Experience implementing large‑scale projects as a manufacturing engineer or project manager on new specialized manufacturing lines.
• Experience with simulation tools and digital methods (AutoCAD, Siemens PLM, etc.) developing layouts; mechanical design stack‑up understanding highly desirable.
• Exemplary verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to travel regularly and a willingness to be assigned to different work sites for multi‑week or multi‑month durations.

• Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp‑up programs, subsidized backup 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.
• Generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
• Paid time off and the option to…