Principal BMS Engineer: Architecture & Safety Leader

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

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and 
im

Employer-matched 401(k) retirement

Generous PTO / flexible time off

Tuition and certification reimburse

Life insurance and AD&D coverage

FSA for tax savings

Onsite work in Ann Arbor, MI

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Principal BMS Engineer to provide technical leadership and architectural ownership for advanced battery management solutions. You will guide multi-generation BMS platforms, own key architecture decisions, and ensure safety compliance across firmware, electronics, and system integration.

You will lead cross-functional teams in defining system-level requirements, conducting DFMEA and risk assessments, and developing robust SOC/SOH/SOE algorithms while aligning with product

Qualifications

• Masters preferred or equivalent with relevant certifications or coursework.
• 15+ years of embedded systems work experience.
• 7+ years in battery or energy systems is preferred.
• Expert in BMS firmware, electronics and system-level design.
• Deep knowledge of lithium-ion behavior, protection and safety mechanisms.
• Ability to define and evolve architectures across product generations.
• Proficient with embedded protocols: SPI, I2C, CAN, CANOpen, J1939, UDS.
• Experience with verification, validation and compliance in safety-critical environments.
• Strong problem-solving and root-cause analysis skills.
• Hands-on experience in BMS, algorithms, and system integration.

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 standards.
• Lead technical trade studies balancing safety, performance, cost and manufacturability.
• Establish best practices for embedded firmware architecture, diagnostics and fault handling.
• Provide guidance on real-time safety-critical software and DFMEA.
• Lead development and review of SOC, SOH, SOE, cell balancing, protection and diagnostics algorithms.
• Ensure compliance with UL, IEC, ISO and functional safety guidance in BMS design.
• Drive requirements decomposition, traceability and verification strategies.
• Lead system-level risk assessments and mitigation activities.
• Guide end-of-line test strategies, diagnostic coverage and service tools.
• Ensure designs are manufacturable, testable and serviceable at scale.

Skills

Embedded systems

System architecture

Real-time firmware

Safety-critical software

DFMEA & risk assessment

Education

Masters in Electrical Engineering / Computer Engineering

Bachelor's with relevant certifications or coursework

Tools

SPI

I2C

CAN

CANOpen

J1939

UDS

Job description

Actalent is seeking a Principal BMS Engineer to provide technical leadership and architectural ownership for advanced battery management solutions. You will guide multi-generation BMS platforms, own key architecture decisions, and ensure safety compliance across firmware, electronics, and system integration.

You will lead cross-functional teams in defining system-level requirements, conducting DFMEA and risk assessments, and developing robust SOC/SOH/SOE algorithms while aligning with product