Director, Systems Engineering

Are you ready to build America’s energy future? Form Energy is an American manufacturing and energy technology company. We’re revolutionizing energy storage with cost-effective, multi-day technology designed to keep the electric grid secure and reliable, even during extended periods of stress. By strengthening the electric system and reimagining what’s possible, we’re giving clean energy a whole new form! 

In recent years, Form Energy has earned a number of accolades, including being named by TIME as a “Best Invention”, MIT Technology Review as a “Top Climate Tech Company To Watch”, and Fast Company as “One of the Next Big Things In Tech”. We are making rapid progress on our mission of delivering energy storage for a better world, and our team is growing just as rapidly to meet demand. We have signed contracts with leading electric utilities across the United States. Trial production of our iron-air batteries has already begun, and this year, production will take off to high volumes at our new factory in West Virginia. 

Working for Form Energy is more than just a job, it’s a chance to be part of something extraordinary. And now - right as we significantly scale up battery manufacturing -  might be the most exciting moment in the company’s history to join. We are assembling a team of highly talented and driven individuals across the country. Driven by our core values of humanity, excellence, and creativity, our team is determined to deliver on our mission and transform the energy landscape for the better.

Feeling energized to make a meaningful impact on the world? Then keep reading - you’ve come to the right place.

Role Description

We are looking for an experienced engineering leader with expertise in product architecture and controls to join the Systems Engineering organization, which is responsible for delivering the integrated capabilities of Form’s multi-day storage product. In this director-level position, you will be responsible for creating and implementing processes to define technical requirements and interfaces used to inform mechanical, electrical, and control system designs. You will have ownership of the dynamic system and techno-economic modeling functions, which are used to run trade studies and downselect subsystem concepts. This role covers a broad scope of technical deliverables including battery module management algorithms, auxiliary system operation, and power plant performance optimization. In addition to a strong background in engineering management, you must bring experience in control system modeling and deep knowledge of systems engineering methodologies. Collaboration with other engineers and managers throughout the Tech Team will be a regular part of your workflows, as this role will include a blend of technical development and cross-team coordination.

What you'll do:

• Lead the development and continuous improvement of models used to simulate the dynamic characteristics of Form’s multi-day storage system, including battery electrochemistry, auxiliary systems, power collection, and controls

• Run trade-studies to inform product architecture decisions; facilitate alignment between stakeholders throughout the Tech Team

• Devise subsystem concepts for current and next gen products, iterate on concepts as new information about subsystem characteristics and performance becomes available

• Establish functional requirements, interface definitions, and controls concept of operations for each subsystem

• Develop control algorithms which will be implemented on real-time embedded systems within the battery management system

• Identify key technical resourcing needs then build and manage a team of product architects and controls engineers

• Devise approaches to improve product performance through design and controls optimization; execute on performance optimization campaigns and report progress to senior leadership

• Coordinate with internal teams on failure analysis, verification and validation test plans, certifications, and product deployment processes (factory and field)

What you'll bring:

• 12+ years industrial experience in controls development or systems engineering; direct experience with grid-interactive energy storage systems is a plus

• 5+ years experience in a senior technical management role in a product development environment

• BSc or greater in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or similar

• Track record of tactical decision making, strategic planning, and successful team building

• Deep experience with model-based design and systems engineering principles

• Experience with software development, particularly high-level languages including Pyth