Job Title: Principal BMS EngineerJob Description
We are seeking a Principal Battery Management System (BMS) Engineer to provide technical leadership, architectural ownership, and long-term stewardship of advanced BMS solutions. The Principal BMS Engineer will define technical direction, own system-level architecture decisions, ensure regulatory and functional safety compliance, and serve as the subject-matter expert across firmware, electronics, algorithms, and system integration. In this role, you will own and steward multi-generation BMS platforms, define system-level technical direction, and guide cross-functional architectural decisions to ensure BMS solutions are robust, scalable, and aligned with current and future product roadmaps.
Responsibilities
Serve as technical authority for BMS architecture, including firmware, electronics, sensing, controls, and system integration.
Define and maintain system-level BMS architecture, design patterns, and technical standards across multiple product lines.
Lead technical trade studies for safety, performance, cost, manufacturability, and long-term maintainability.
Establish best practices for embedded firmware architecture, hardware abstraction, diagnostics, and fault handling.
Provide expert-level guidance on embedded firmware design, real-time systems, and safety-critical software.
Lead development and review of core BMS algorithms, including SOC, SOH, SOE, cell balancing, protection, diagnostics, and degradation monitoring.
Own interpretation and application of relevant safety and compliance standards (e.g., UL, IEC, ISO, functional safety guidance) as they relate to BMS design.
Drive system-level requirements decomposition, traceability, and verification strategy.
Lead DFMEA, FTA, and system-level risk assessments; ensure mitigation strategies are implemented and verified.
Guide development of end-of-line test strategies, diagnostic coverage, and service tools.
Ensure BMS designs are manufacturable, testable, and serviceable at scale.
Support long-term sustainment, reliability improvements, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Other duties as assigned by management.
Essential Skills
Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or Computer Engineering preferred; or Bachelor's degree in a related field with relevant certifications or graduate-level coursework.
15+ years of embedded systems work experience.
7+ years of experience working with battery or relevant energy systems preferred.
Recognized expert in BMS firmware, electronics, and system-level design.
Deep understanding of lithium-ion battery behavior, protection strategies, and safety mechanisms.
Proven ability to define and evolve system architectures across multiple product generations.
Advanced proficiency with embedded communication protocols (SPI, I2C, CAN, CANOpen, J1939, UDS).
Strong experience with verification, validation, and compliance in regulated or safety-critical environments.
Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, including root-cause analysis of complex system issues.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
BMS, systems architecture, battery management system, algorithm development, system integration, firmware development, embedded controls.
Embedded Systems, Systems Architecture, DFMEA.
Work Environment
The role involves working in an environment that emphasizes the importance of technical leadership and innovation in BMS solutions. Employees are expected to engage in cross-functional collaboration and contribute to the development of scalable and robust BMS architectures. The work setting supports continuous improvement and reliability enhancements, with a focus on maintaining compliance with industry safety and technical standards.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Ann Arbor, MI.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $57.00 - $96.15/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: - Medical, dental & vision - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) - Short and long-term disability - Health Spending Account (HSA) - Transportation benefits - Employee Assistance Program - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Ann Arbor,MI.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 24, 2026.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
