Lead HV Battery Technician

The Lead HV Battery Technician is the senior-most hands-on technical authority for high-voltage (HV) battery build, test, and diagnostics operations. This role provides technical leadership across prototype assembly, validation testing, and field issue resolution while serving as the primary escalation point for complex issues related to safety, quality, manufacturing execution, and process control interfaces.

The Lead Technician partners closely with engineering, operations, and program teams to drive technical decisions, set best practices, and ensure consistent, high-quality execution across the HV battery build and test lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Ownership

· Serve as the technical lead for HV battery module and pack assembly, teardown, and rework, setting standards for workmanship, safety, traceability, and documentation.

· Act as the primary escalation point for complex HV battery issues, including build anomalies, test failures, manufacturing system faults, and safety concerns.

· Own technical triage and prioritization of work, balancing prototype build, validation testing, and urgent issue response.

Build, Test, and Diagnostics

· Lead advanced HV battery assembly and teardown activities, including cell integration, busbar systems, coolant routing, enclosure sealing, and post-build inspections.

· Oversee and support validation and lifecycle testing, including operation of automation systems, manufacturing HMIs, CAN-based tools, and electrical diagnostic equipment.

· Utilize and troubleshoot process control and manufacturing execution interfaces (e.g., Ignition HMI) to support build flow, test execution, fault recovery, and data validation.

· Perform deep-dive diagnostics, root cause analysis, and failure investigations; synthesize findings into clear technical recommendations.

Manufacturing Systems & Process Controls

· Serve as the technician subject matter expert for manufacturing interfaces, HMI-driven processes, and automated build/test stations.

· Identify gaps or inefficiencies in HMI workflows, alarms, interlocks, and user interfaces; provide actionable feedback to controls and manufacturing engineering.

· Support commissioning, debug, and sustainment of automated equipment by bridging hands-on build experience with process control systems.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

· Partner closely with battery, manufacturing, systems, and controls engineering teams to support design maturation, process changes, and issue resolution.

· Provide clear, actionable feedback to engineering based on hands-on build, test, and manufacturing system usage.

· Represent the technician organization in technical discussions, reviews, readiness assessments, and build reviews.

Process, Safety, and Continuous Improvement

· Drive continuous improvement initiatives across HV battery build and test processes, with a strong emphasis on safety, repeatability, data integrity, and efficiency.

· Author, review, and enforce standard work, safety procedures, and best practices for HV battery operations and manufacturing system interaction.

· Identify tooling, equipment, automation, or process gaps and lead implementation of improvements.

Mentorship & Team Enablement

· Provide day-to-day technical leadership to senior and junior technicians, setting expectations and modeling best practices.

· Lead training efforts for new processes, tools, HMI workflows, and safety requirements.

· Support technician skill development and act as a technical mentor across shifts.

Qualifications

· 7+ years of experience in automotive, EV, or HV battery systems with demonstrated technical leadership.

· Associate’s degree in a technical field, ASE certification, or equivalent hands-on experience.

· Expert-level proficiency in HV battery assembly, electrical diagnostics, CAN communication, and HV safety practices.

· Experience working in a manufacturing environment with HMI and process control interfaces, including systems such as Ignition.

· Working knowledge of automated build/test equipment, interlocks, alarms, and manufacturing data flows.

· High Voltage certification strongly preferred.

· Proven ability to lead complex technical work, make sound decisions under pressure, and resolve ambiguous problems.

· Strong written and verbal communication skills, including technical reporting and cross-functional alignment.

· Ability to operate independently with minimal direction while influencing without direct authority.

· Flexible to work varied shifts and travel up to ~20%.

· Proficient in MS Office Suite and technical documentation tools.