Lead Hardware Engineer

Job Summary

The Lead Battery Management System (BMS) Hardware Engineer is responsible for overseeing the development of advanced BMS hardware in support of next-generation energy storage and electronic mobility solutions. This role manages full hardware design lifecycle, including requirements definition, design, testing, and validation.

This position requires expertise in hardware design along with leadership in project management, supplier coordination, and cross-functional collaboration. The Lead BMS Hardware Engineer ensures that all hardware development activities meet established project timelines, cost objectives, and quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and validation of BMS hardware components, including sensing systems, protection circuits, power electronics, and communication interfaces.
• Define system and hardware level requirements, schematics, Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design reviews, and test strategies in collaboration with hardware and system engineers.
• Ensure hardware design and development activities comply with applicable automotive, industrial, and safety standards including ISO 26262, IEC 61508, and UL requirements.
• Develop project plans, establish timelines, allocate resources, and define milestones for BMS hardware deliverables.
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams to track project progress, identify risks, and implement effective mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate with software, mechanical, and systems engineering teams to ensure effective integration of hardware and system components.
• Provide regular project updates to leadership and stakeholders, including preparation and presentation of progress, risks, and key milestones.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for hardware related supplier interactions, including component selection, evaluation, and contract negotiations.
• Manage supplier relationships, overseeing the timely delivery of parts, prototypes, and test support to meet project requirements.
• Collaborate with procurement and supply chain teams to support cost-effective sourcing and maintain long-term supplier relationships.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior engineers in circuit design, simulation, and testing activities.
• Facilitate collaboration among engineering, manufacturing quality, and product management teams to ensure alignment and effective cross-functional communication.
• Lead design reviews, facilitate Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) sessions, and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• Adhere to federal and state regulations.
• Adhere to all company policies, processes, and procedures.
• Performs other duties as requested, directed, or assigned.
• Predictable and reliable attendance.

Position Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, or a related field.
• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in hardware design, preferably within automotive, energy storage, or power electronics.
• Experience with BMS architectures (centralized, distributed, modular) preferred.
• Hands-on experience with Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Design Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (DFMEA), and validation testing preferred.
• Familiarity with automotive standards (ISO 26262, AEC-Q100 components) preferred. 
• Prior experience in supplier management and contract negotiations.
• Proven track record leading complex hardware development projects from concept to production.
• Strong knowledge of analog/digital circuit design, high-voltage safety, and power management.
• Experience with project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Jira).
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Key Competencies:

• Influences Others: Has personal and organizational impact built on mutual trust, fairness, and honesty. Flexes their style to direct, collaborate, or empower as the situation requires.
• Focuses on Quality: Drives work results with a quality focus on actions and results.
• Decision Making & Analysis: Makes sound decisions based upon a mixture of data-driven analysis, expertise, experience, and judgment; collects relevant information, seeking input from others, and identifies connections and/or root causes of problems
• Takes Initiative: Exhibits strong drive for results and success; conveys a sense of urgency and drives issues to closure; persists despite obstacles and opposition.
• Delivers Results: Achievement-oriented, feeling a sense of urgency to reach goals on time, if not before.
• Teamwork: Works cooperatively with others to accomplish team goals and organizational objectives.
• Communications: Exchanges thoughts, feelings, and information effectively.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office equipment.
• Ability to adjust focus, especially due to concentration on a computer screen.
• May need to lift and carry up to 30 pounds and/or position the body to reach items on the floor/below knee level or reach overhead.
• The person in this position needs to occasionally move about in industrial environments, and on uneven terrain.
• Works in a temperature-controlled office environment, with occasional work in outdoor weather conditions, and in industrial environments. The noise level in the work environment can be moderately loud.