Senior BMS Architect — Embedded Systems & Safety

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Employer‑matched 401(k)

Generous PTO

Tuition and certification reimburse

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Principal BMS Engineer in Ann Arbor, MI to lead system-level BMS architecture, guide cross‑functional teams, and ensure safety and regulatory compliance across firmware, electronics, and algorithms.

The role focuses on developing robust, scalable BMS platforms, including SOC/SOH/SOE algorithms, cell balancing, and diagnostics, with a strong emphasis on manufacturability and long‑term product sustainment.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in EE/CS with relevant certifications.
• 15+ years of embedded systems experience.
• 7+ years in battery/energy systems.
• 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 (SPI, I2C, CAN, CANOpen, J1939, UDS).
• Experience with verification, validation, and compliance in regulated/safety-critical environments.
• Strong analytical and root-cause analysis skills.
• Hands-on experience with BMS, algorithm development, system integration, and embedded controls.
• Experience with DFMEA and system-level risk assessments.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority for BMS architecture including firmware, electronics, sensing, controls, and integration.
• Define and maintain system-level BMS architecture, patterns, and standards across product lines.
• Lead trade studies balancing safety, performance, cost, manufacturability, and maintainability.
• Establish best practices for embedded firmware architecture, hardware abstraction, diagnostics, and fault handling.
• Provide expert guidance on embedded firmware design, real-time systems, and safety-critical software.
• Lead development and review of core BMS algorithms (SOC, SOH, SOE, cell balancing, protection, diagnostics).
• Own interpretation and application of safety/compliance standards (UL, IEC, ISO, functional safety).
• Drive system-level requirements decomposition, traceability, and verification strategies.
• Lead DFMEA, FTA, and system-level risk assessments with mitigation.
• Guide end-of-line test strategies, diagnostic coverage, 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

BMS firmware

Embedded systems

System architecture

Safety-critical software

DFMEA/FTA

Regulatory standards

BMS algorithms

CANOpen/J1939/UDS

Technical leadership

Manufacturability/testing

Education

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering / Computer Science / Computer Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in related field with certifications or graduate coursework

Tools

SPI

I2C

CANOpen/J1939/UDS

Diagnostics tools

Job description

Actalent is seeking a Principal BMS Engineer in Ann Arbor, MI to lead system-level BMS architecture, guide cross‑functional teams, and ensure safety and regulatory compliance across firmware, electronics, and algorithms.

The role focuses on developing robust, scalable BMS platforms, including SOC/SOH/SOE algorithms, cell balancing, and diagnostics, with a strong emphasis on manufacturability and long‑term product sustainment.