Capabilities Manager Jobs in Kentucky (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 Energy is a newly formed, wholly‑owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company dedicated to accelerating U.S. energy independence. Leveraging Ford’s century of manufacturing excellence and world‑class battery energy storage systems (BESS) technology, Ford Energy designs, manufactures, and services grid‑scale and commercial DC battery energy storage systems (BESS). Ford Energy is uniquely positioned to capture the growing demand for reliable, US‑built energy storage systems. We are not just building batteries; we are building the infrastructure for the next generation of the American grid.

Why Ford Energy?

At Ford Energy, you have the backing of an industrial manufacturing powerhouse with the agility of a dedicated energy startup offering industry‑leading technology. We offer a competitive compensation package including performance‑based bonuses, Ford vehicle discounts, and the opportunity to shape the energy strategy of one of the world’s most iconic brands.

The Opportunity:

Lead with Purpose: Build, inspire, and lead an agile engineering team to deliver advanced technology driving the future of grid storage.

Lead System Performance: Direct the implementation and optimization of control standards, PLC logic, and automation architectures to ensure maximum first‑time‑through (FTT) capability and flow.

Enable Business Results: Achieve plant performance benchmarks by delivering on SQDCPME (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, People, Maintenance, Environment) objectives, ensuring 100%flow, and minimizing production downtime.

Drive Continuous Improvement: Use your entrepreneurial mindset to implement data‑driven solutions, and capture lessons learned to improve manufacturing robustness.

Develop People & Capability: Manage, coach, and mentor a multi‑skilled engineering team, fostering a "Leaders as Teachers" environment that prioritizes technical upskilling and continuous learning.

Partner Cross‑Functionally: Collaborate with Production, Maintenance, Quality, and IT/Cybersecurity teams to ensure seamless controls/IT integration and efficient process flow.

Responsibilities

What you'll do...

Safety & Quality Engineering Leadership

• Safety Advocacy: Serve as the primary advocate for safety, enforcing zero‑compromise compliance with Safety Operating System practices to achieve zero injuries across all technical and automated operations.
• Operating System Compliance: Ensure engineering team adherence and compliance with the Ford Production System (FPS) Key Unifying Processes (KUP) and Quality Operating System (QOS) to achieve zero defects.
• Equipment Validation: Support the setup, runtime validation, and safety runoff of automated BESS manufacturing equipment per Ford specifications at both supplier and plant locations.

Strategic Management & Technical Execution

• Engineering Approvals: Govern final engineering approvals and updates for mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical drawings, as well as software/PLC specifications.
• Process & Equipment Design: Partner with Manufacturing Engineering (ME) and plant personnel to manage process design, FMEAs (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis), and equipment installation documentation to ensure timely validation.
• Constraint & Issue Resolution: Manage technical issue resolution during machine build, installation, commissioning, and steady‑state production to minimize plant floor constraints and downtime.

Leadership & Culture

• Create a culture of trust and psychological safety, encouraging diversity of thought and removing barriers to team success.
• Foster technical excellence and precision in others, coordinating OEM and vendor training where technical upskilling on specialized systems is required.
• Drive high‑performing behavior and maintain clear accountability across rotational and standard operating shifts.

Capabilities for Success

• Resilient Leader: An emotionally intelligent leader who remains calm, composed, and decisive in ambiguous situations or during high‑pressure facility constraints.
• Collaborative Influencer: A proven ability to build trust, resolve conflicts, and influence cross‑functional teams to achieve shared business strategies.
• Complexity Manager: Skilled at managing highly complex automated manufacturing systems, robotics, and advanced BESS production technologies.
• Business Acumen: Strong project management skills with a focus on results‑oriented team development, budget management, and operational efficiency.

Qualifications

You'll have...

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, or related technical field).
• Experience: 4+ years of manufacturing engineering experience in high‑volume, automated production environments.
• 2+ years managing or supervising engineers in a manufacturing environment
• Proven experience in troubleshooting, configuring, or managing advanced industrial networking and controls architectures.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal, coaching, and conflict‑resolution skills.

Even better, you'll have...

• Master’s degree in Engineering or Business Administration (MBA).
• 4+ years managing and supervising engineers in a manufacturing environment
• Experience with Lean / Six Sigma methodology and/or Military Decision‑Making Process (MDMP) Experience
• Experience working in a greenfield, or brownfield environment
• Direct experience with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) assembly, high‑voltage battery pack assembly, or related clean energy manufacturing technologies.
• Prior experience managing or supporting advanced robotic systems (such as Fanuc, ABB, or Universal robots) and high‑precision assembly systems (such as
• Atlas Copco fastening, dispense, leak test, electrical test, gantry, and conveyor systems).
• Lean Manufacturing, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), and Six Sigma Green/Black Belt certification.

Leadership Attributes

• Strategic Visionary
• Translates global energy storage market trends and technological advancements into robust plant automation and engineering strategies.
• Decisive Under Pressure
• Remains calm and makes rapid, data‑driven decisions during critical facility constraints or production‑related downtime.
• Possesses the resilience to lead and guide a team through the ambiguity and dynamic challenges of a greenfield startup environment.
• Operational Flexibility
• Must possess full flexibility and a readiness to consistently work across all established standard, operating, and rotational shift schedules, encompassing day, night, weekend, and holiday shifts to support a 24/7 manufacturing environment.

Location & Travel

This is an on‑site position based at our manufacturing facility. Domestic and international travel will be required to support supplier buy‑offs, equipment validation, and corporate engineering alignment.

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Why Ford Energy?

At Ford Energy, you have the backing of an industrial manufacturing powerhouse with the agility of a dedicated energy startup offering industry‑leading technology. We offer a competitive compensation package and 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 leadership level 6 and ranges from $115,500-$218,100.

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.

Visa sponsorship is not 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.

#LI-Onsite

Company: As Ford establishes a wholly owned subsidiary focused on Battery Energy Storage Systems, this role will initially be employed by Ford and is expected to transition to the subsidiary within one year.

#LI-OG1 #FordEnergy

Job Info

• Job Identification 67066
• Job Category Manufacturing
• Posting Date 07/22/2026, 04:26 PM
• Degree Level Bachelor's Degree or equivalent
• Job Schedule Full time
• Locations 2022 Battery Park Dr, Glendale, KY, 42740, US (On‑site)