Program Manager – Energy Storage Systems

A123 Systems; Novi (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A123 Systems LLC is seeking an experienced Program Manager with a strong Battery Energy Storage Systems background to lead customer programs from award through production launch, deployment, and post-SOP support. The role serves as the primary customer interface and coordinates engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, finance, and sales to ensure profitable execution.

The position requires 7+ years in program management and 3+ years in battery/energy storage.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, PM, or related field.
• 7+ years of Program Management experience.
• 3+ years in Battery or Energy Storage systems preferred.
• PMP certification preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience presenting to executive leadership.
• Experience with SAP/ERP and APQP/PPAP.
• Excellent communication; Chinese language skills preferred.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally (10–20%).

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional execution of Energy Storage programs from NBO to SOP and lifecycle support.
• Serve as primary customer contact for program topics.
• Manage scope, schedule, budget, profitability, risks, and deliverables.
• Coordinate engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, finance, and sales.
• Lead phase-gate reviews, ECR/PPAP changes, and risk mitigation.
• Drive executive KPI reporting and customer status reviews.
• Support quotations, NRE tracking, and contract execution.
• Coordinate validation, FAT, and production readiness.
• Manage global cross-functional project teams and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Program management

Cross-functional leadership

Customer communication

Executive presentation

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/PM or related field

Tools

SAP/ERP

APQP/PPAP

MS Office

Job description

Position Overview

A123 Systems LLC is seeking an experienced Program Manager with a strong Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) background to lead customer programs from business award through production launch, deployment, and post-SOP support. The role serves as the primary customer interface and coordinates engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, finance, and sales to ensure profitable execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional execution of Energy Storage customer programs from NBO handoff through SOP and lifecycle support.
• Serve as primary customer contact for all program-related topics.
• Manage program scope, timing, budget, profitability, risks, and customer deliverables.
• Coordinate engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, procurement, quality, finance, and sales.
• Lead phase-gate reviews, ECR/change management, and risk mitigation.
• Drive executive KPI reporting and customer status reviews.
• Support quotations, NRE tracking, commercial change management, and contract execution.
• Coordinate validation, FAT, certification (UL1973, UL9540/9540A), commissioning, and production readiness.
• Manage project execution global cross functional teams.
• Ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, and internal quality requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Project Management, or related field.
• Minimum 7 years of Program Management experience.
• Minimum 3 years in Battery or advanced Energy Storage Systems, lithium-ion batteries, renewable energy, or power electronics preferred.
• PMP certification preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.).
• Excellent interpersonal, analytic and communication skills.
• Experience to prepare and make presentations to executive leadership.
• Experience with SAP/ERP and APQP/PPAP.
• Excellent communication and customer management skills. Chinese language skills preferred.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally (10-20%).