Executive Director, Engineering

American Battery Solutions has a full-time opening for an Executive Director, Engineering in Lake Orion, Michigan.
 

Job Summary

The Executive Director, Engineering, provides strategic and technical leadership in the development of battery technologies. This position guides innovation efforts, ensures engineering excellence, and supports cross-functional collaboration to deliver solutions across new product development, production launches, and ongoing product improvements.

As an experienced technology authority, the Executive Director, Engineering leverages extensive industry expertise to guide the development of high-quality, low-risk engineering solutions. In this role, the individual contributes both independently and collaboratively, ensuring that product development and delivery align with organizational goals and strategic priorities.

The Executive Director, Engineering serves as the primary technical authority, applying deep expertise to support innovative design efforts and resolve complex technical challenges across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and strategic direction to address design, operational, and system-level challenges across all phases of the product development lifecycle.
• Support and guide project teams by leading Technical Design Reviews, Project Gate Reviews, and providing targeted technical interventions to ensure engineering excellence.
• Oversee risk management efforts by contributing to risk assessments and approving mitigation and contingency plans to ensure 8dproduct reliability and performance.
• Promote continuous improvement by identifying and implementing strategies that enhance product quality, manufacturability, and safety, while balancing short-term execution with long-term organizational needs.
• Provide technical leadership for all American Battery Solutions (ABS) projects (OEM Customer, Komatsu, Core, and BMS) ensuring alignment with performance, quality, cost, and schedule targets.
• Oversee the Pack Lead Engineering group by fostering technical expertise, ensuring timely delivery of project milestones, and developing high-performing engineers through mentorship and coaching.
• Chairs the Technical Review Council (TRC), providing        engineering oversight, well-substantiated technical decisions, and reinforcing a structured development process to instill confidence in product solutions.
• Direct structured problem-solving initiatives across products, guiding engineering 8D and Juhin efforts to ensure comprehensive root-cause analysis, resolution, and closure aligned with established KPIs.
• Monitor industry trends and stay informed on emerging technologies and engineering advancements to ensure alignment with the organization’s strategic vision.
• 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 or advanced degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Systems Engineering or an equivalent discipline.
• Minimum of twelve (12) years experience in relevant engineering field.
• Minimum of five (5) years experience managing new product development.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of product delivery processes and tools, with the ability to provide technical and functional solutions and insights to others.
• Experience in establishing overall direction and strategic initiatives within a business group.
• Ability to work in a dynamic start-up environment where initiative and ownership is a must.
• Demonstrated ability to influence decision-making and outcomes with internal stakeholders, external suppliers, and customers.
• Adept in troubleshooting methods and disciplined documentation of findings.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Extensive knowledge of engineering principles and procedures.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal and coaching skills.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Demonstratable analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Ability to travel up to 20% of time.

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.
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