Chief Engineer

Chief Engineer (Director Level)

Location: Ann Arbor, MI

Full-time | Monday–Friday

About EGI Battery

EGI Battery is a U.S.-based manufacturer of advanced lithium-ion batteries, focused on delivering NDAA-compliant energy solutions for critical applications. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, EGI is building a secure, domestic supply chain to support the growing demand for high-performance batteries in drone, eVTOL, and energy storage markets.

Position Summary

We are seeking a Chief Engineer to lead the technical ownership of EGI’s cell architecture and bridge the gap between R&D discoveries and manufacturable, high‑reliability cell products. This role will define and mature the cell design, guide performance trade-offs, and ensure seamless transition from early development to production-scale manufacturing.

You will serve as the primary technical authority for the cell owning specifications, materials, tolerances, and performance targets while collaborating closely with Product Development, Manufacturing Engineering, and customer technical teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the cell architecture from a technical standpoint, including design intent, performance targets, and manufacturability.
• Serve as the primary technical interface with customers, translating requirements into design and process specifications.
• Finalize cell design for manufacturability (DFM), reliability, and production scalability.
• Establish detailed specifications, tolerances, and material BOMs for production cells.
• Collaborate with Product Development and Manufacturing Engineering to ensure alignment between design, process capability, and production readiness.
• Resolve performance trade-offs across yield, capacity, safety, and longevity.
• Guide testing protocols, validation plans, and root-cause investigations during prototype and ramp phases.
• Lead technical reviews, design freezes, and engineering change processes.
• Support supplier qualification for critical materials and components.
• Drive continuous improvement in cell performance, reliability, and manufacturability.

Within 3 Months You Will:

• Own the baseline cell architecture and finalize key performance requirements.
• Establish the design control framework, including specs, tolerances, and BOM structure.
• Launch cross-functional DFM reviews with Product Development and Manufacturing Engineering.

Within 6 Months You Will:

• Finalize the production-ready cell design and lead the design freeze process.
• Guide validation testing and root-cause investigations for early builds.
• Lead technical readiness reviews for pilot and production line deployment.

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• 10 years in lithium-ion cell design, process engineering, or advanced battery development.
• Deep understanding of electrode design, cell architecture, materials interactions, and failure modes.
• Experience launching lithium-ion cell lines or transitioning designs into manufacturing.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with hands-on experience in testing and root-cause analysis.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to interface directly with customers and cross-functional teams.
• Familiarity with DFM, DOE, validation testing, and reliability engineering.

Perks & Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance through BCBS
• 100% 401(k) match up to 5% of base salary
• Opportunity to shape the future of U.S.-based energy storage manufacturing

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in both office and lab environments
• Ability to walk production floors and support hands-on testing as needed

Equal Opportunity Employer

EGI Battery is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diverse perspectives and experiences and encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.