Automotive Lab Testing Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

We made history and now we work to transform the future - for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters.
Ford's Electric Vehicles, Digital and Design (EVDD) team is charged with delivering the company's vision of a fully electric transportation future. EVDD is customer-obsessed, entrepreneurial, and data-driven and is dedicated to delivering industry-leading customer experience for electric vehicle buyers and owners. You'll join an agile team of doers pioneering our EV future by working collaboratively, staying focused on only what matters, and delivering excellence day in and day out. Join us to make positive change by helping build a better world where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams.
In this position...
The Manager of the Battery Build and Test Lab will be responsible for leading a high-performing team that enables innovation through the rapid testing and characterization of battery components and systems. A critical focus of this role will be spearheading the commissioning and operational ramp-up of the EVDC2 lab, bringing the facility up to speed to support world-class battery validation. This leader will manage daily lab operations, oversee test execution, enforce stringent safety protocols, and drive the strategic vision to successfully validate Ford's next generation of EV batteries.
Responsibilities
What you'll do...
• Lead and Develop: Manage, mentor, and grow a team of battery validation engineers and lab technicians, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and engineering excellence.
• Lab Commissioning: Spearhead the operational ramp-up of the EVDC2 battery lab. Oversee facility upgrades, equipment installation, and capability expansion to bring the lab fully up to speed for next-gen programs.
• Lab Operations & Strategy: Manage the lab's operational budget, resource allocation, and capital equipment procurement (including cyclers, environmental chambers, chillers, and DAQ systems).
• Validation Oversight: Oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of comprehensive battery pack validation test plans, covering performance, durability, and abuse categories.
• Safety Leadership: Establish, enforce, and continuously improve rigorous High Voltage (HV) and battery abuse testing safety protocols to ensure a secure working environment.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Collaborate with senior leadership and cross-functional teams (systems engineering, cell engineering, manufacturing, quality, and service) to align lab testing capabilities with future vehicle program requirements.
• Data & Infrastructure Strategy: Drive the strategic roadmap for data storage, visualization, and automated test system architectures.
• Vendor Management: Manage relationships, contracts, and capacity planning with external vendors, partners, and third-party test labs to supplement internal capabilities.
Qualifications
You'll have...
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• 8+ years of experience in battery testing, validation, or complex lab operations.
• 3+ years of experience in an engineering leadership or management role.
• Proven track record of commissioning, upgrading, or managing large-scale testing facilities/labs (direct experience bringing a lab "up to speed").
• Deep knowledge of battery chemistry, physics, HV safety standards, and global battery regulations.
• Experience managing capital equipment procurement and lab operating budgets.
• Strong leadership, strategic problem-solving, and cross-functional communication skills.
• Experience overseeing structural, electrical, thermal, and mechanical systems testing.
Even better, you may have...
• Master's degree in Engineering or Business Administration (MBA).
• Direct experience launching automotive EV products and managing HV battery abuse testing facilities.
• Expertise in automated test system development and modern data management architectures.
• Experience using Confluence, Jira, Jama, or other project management tools for team and resource tracking.
• An eagerness to work cross-functionally in a dynamic environment where you are part of a high-performing team.
• A systems-thinking approach with the desire and curiosity to strive for exceptional delivery execution and continuous improvement.
You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!
As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder...or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:
• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up 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
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.
This position is a leadership level 5 and ranges from $167,200-$316,600.
Final determination of salary grade will be based on candidate's skills and experience, and base salary will be set within the applicable range according to job scope, responsibility and competitive market value.
For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/LL5
Visa sponsorship is available for this position.
Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.
This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid #LI-JD2 #UEV