Principal Product & Field Safety Engineer, Ford Energy
Core
Principal-level individual contributor responsible for defining and governing cross-functional safety design standards for utility-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), ensuring safe installation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance across the product lifecycle.
Role type
Principal, hands-on IC safety engineer
Builds
Utility-scale BESS platforms
Domain
Renewable energy / Energy storage / High-voltage electrical systems
Required skills
High-voltage electrical systems expertise, Lithium-ion battery risk management, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures, Emergency response planning, Risk assessment (JSA/JHA), Technical safety documentation, Incident investigation, Standards compliance (UL, NFPA, OSHA), Training development, Cross-functional collaboration
Preferred skills
Utility-scale BESS experience, Advanced degree in relevant field
Technologies
UL 9540, NFPA 855, IEEE standards, OSHA regulations
Responsibilities
Develop and maintain BESS-specific safety procedures and work instructions; Create emergency response plans for battery thermal events and fires; Conduct field observations and site safety assessments; Investigate safety incidents and near misses; Partner with Engineering to improve product design safety; Represent Ford Energy on standards development organizations (UL, NFPA, IEEE); Provide technical safety guidance to field teams and first responders.
Seniority
Principal, hands-on IC
