Principal BMS Engineer

Actalent; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent in Ann Arbor, MI seeks a Principal Battery Management System (BMS) Engineer to provide technical leadership across firmware, electronics, algorithms and system integration. You will own architecture decisions and drive safety compliance for multi-generation BMS platforms.

You will guide cross-functional teams, define system-level requirements, and oversee DFMEA, risk assessments, and validation strategies to ensure scalable, manufacturable BMS solutions aligned with product roadmaps.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience with BMS and embedded systems.
• Expert in safety-critical software and regulation standards.
• Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration.
• Track record of DFMEA and risk assessments.
• Experience with SOC/SOH/SOE algorithms.
• Ability to define system-level architecture.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical authority for BMS architecture across firmware, electronics, sensing, controls and system integration.
• Define and maintain system-level BMS architecture, design patterns and technical standards.
• Lead technical trade studies balancing safety, performance, cost and maintainability.
• Establish best practices for embedded firmware architecture, diagnostics and fault handling.
• Provide guidance on embedded firmware design, real-time systems and safety-critical software.
• Lead development and review of SOC, SOH, SOE, cell balancing, protection, diagnostics and degradation monitoring algorithms.
• Oversee safety and compliance standards (UL, IEC, ISO, functional safety) in BMS design.
• Drive requirements decomposition, traceability and verification strategies.
• Lead DFMEA, FTA and system-level risk assessments with mitigation strategies.
• Guide end-of-line test strategies, diagnostics and service tools for manufacturing and field service.
• Ensure BMS designs are manufacturable, testable and serviceable at scale.
• Support sustainment, reliability improvements and continuous improvement across BMS platforms.
• Perform other engineering duties as needed.

Skills

Embedded systems

BMS firmware

System architecture

Safety compliance

CAN protocols

DFMEA & risk

Leadership

Diagnostics

Education

Masters in EE/CS

Bachelors + certs

Tools

SPI

I2C

CAN

CANOpen

J1939

UDS

Job description

Job Title: Principal BMS Engineer

Job Description

The Principal Battery Management System (BMS) Engineer provides technical leadership, architectural ownership, and long-term stewardship of advanced battery management solutions. In this role, you define system-level technical direction, own key architecture decisions, and ensure regulatory and functional safety compliance while serving as the subject-matter expert across firmware, electronics, algorithms, and system integration. You will lead the evolution of multi-generation BMS platforms, guide cross-functional architectural decisions, and ensure solutions are robust, scalable, and aligned with current and future product roadmaps.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority for BMS architecture, covering 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 that balance 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 the development and review of core BMS algorithms, including state of charge (SOC), state of health (SOH), state of energy (SOE), cell balancing, protection, diagnostics, and degradation monitoring.
• Own the interpretation and application of relevant safety and compliance standards such as UL, IEC, ISO, and functional safety guidance as they relate to BMS design.
• Drive system-level requirements decomposition, traceability, and verification strategies to ensure complete coverage and robust performance.
• Lead DFMEA, fault tree analysis (FTA), and system-level risk assessments, ensuring mitigation strategies are implemented, verified, and maintained.
• Guide the development of end-of-line test strategies, diagnostic coverage, and service tools to support manufacturing and field service.
• Ensure BMS designs are manufacturable, testable, and serviceable at scale for long-term product success.
• Support long-term sustainment activities, reliability improvements, and continuous improvement initiatives across BMS platforms.
• Perform other engineering and technical duties as needed to support product development and lifecycle management.

Essential Skills

• Masters degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or Computer Engineering preferred, or a Bachelors 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 expertise 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, including SPI, I2C, CAN, CANOpen, J1939, and 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.
• Hands-on experience with battery management systems, algorithm development, system integration, and embedded controls.
• Strong experience in embedded systems and systems architecture.
• Experience with DFMEA and related system-level risk assessment methodologies.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Graduate-level coursework or relevant certifications in embedded systems, controls, or safety-critical software development.
• Experience defining and maintaining technical standards and design patterns across multiple product lines.
• experience in functional safety frameworks and their application to BMS design.
• Experience guiding cross-functional teams in system integration and architectural decision-making.
• Strong communication skills to articulate complex technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to mentor and influence engineering teams in best practices for firmware, hardware abstraction, diagnostics, and fault handling.

Work Environment

This role focuses on advanced Battery Management System engineering within an embedded systems and electronics environment. You will work with technologies such as embedded firmware, real-time systems, communication protocols (SPI, I2C, CAN, CANOpen, J1939, UDS), and safety and compliance frameworks (UL, IEC, ISO, functional safety guidance). The position involves close collaboration with cross-functional engineering teams, participation in design reviews and risk assessments, and engagement with manufacturing and test engineering to ensure designs are manufacturable, testable, and serviceable at scale. Work is primarily performed in an office and laboratory setting with access to development tools, diagnostic equipment, and test systems for batteries and power electronics.es

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Ann Arbor, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $150000.00 - $200000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Health & Insurance BenefitsComprehensive medical, dental, and vision careFlexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for tax savingsLife insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverageRetirement & Financial PerksEmployer-matched 401(k) retirement plan contributionsEmployee referral bonusesSalary continuance for jury duty serviceTime Off & Professional GrowthGenerous paid time off (PTO) or flexible/unlimited PTO policiesPaid federal holidaysTuition and professional certification reimbursement

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Ann Arbor, MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 31, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Ann Arbor,MI.

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 [e-mail] 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.