Senior Manager Commissioning and Handover Readiness, Ford Energy

The Opportunity

The Senior Manager, Commissioning and Handover Readiness will serve as Ford Energy’s internal commissioning authority for post-delivery DC block and containerized BESS system deployments. This highly visible leadership role is responsible for defining, governing, and enforcing the detailed commissioning and handover requirements that follow shipment and site delivery, ensuring systems are safe, code-compliant, functionally validated, and contractually ready for energization, acceptance, and customer handover.

This role will work closely with the Sales PMO and Program Delivery teams to ensure project delivery requirements, milestone commitments, and acceptance criteria are clearly defined prior to shipment and rigorously executed post-delivery. The position spans Ford Land and Ford Energy Engineering and carries end-to-end accountability for commissioning readiness, site execution alignment, issue resolution, and technical closeout.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience in utility-scale or commercial BESS commissioning, startup, and system handover, with the technical depth to evaluate readiness across battery systems, DC architecture, controls, thermal management, and site interfaces. While Ford will leverage service support through third parties, this role is accountable for building and retaining Ford Energy’s internal commissioning governance, decision-making authority, and technical ownership. 

1. Strategic Leadership & Organizational Growth
•    Organizational Architecture: Lead a multi-layered organization of managers and specialists and third parties; define talent strategies and professional development pathways to support global scaling.
•    Operating Model: Mature Ford Energy’s internal commissioning operating model, including processes, standards, and future staffing requirements.
•    Financial Impact: Own the ‘Time-to-Revenue’ cycle and functional budget; optimize commissioning efficiency to accelerate customer acceptance and P&L performance.
2. Technical Governance & Safety Standards
•    Governance Framework: Establish the post-delivery commissioning governance framework, including stage-gates, execution sequencing, and formal acceptance criteria.
•    Technical Standardization: Govern technical procedures and documentations, work instructions, and field tooling requirements (SCADA mapping, alarm validation, etc.) to ensure repeatable, audit-ready execution.
•    Safety & Risk: Ensure all activities comply with Ford safety standards and regulatory codes (AHJ), specifically regarding energization and live-system testing.
3. Operational Execution & Delivery Integration
•    Cross-Functional Integration: Partner with Sales PMO to ensure customer commitments and project milestones are realistic and executable.
•    Execution Oversight: Lead formal readiness reviews, FAT/SAT execution, and performance verification; serve as the senior escalation authority for technical or schedule recovery plans.
•    Risk Management: Own risk registers, punch lists, and issue logs to protect project schedules and quality.
4. Stakeholder Management & Business Interface
•    Executive Advisory: Provide data-driven insights to Ford Energy leadership and Ford Motor Company VPs; manage high-stakes relationships with utility C-suites and EPC firms.
•    Internal/External Interface: Serve as the primary authority between Ford Land and Ford Energy Engineering; coordinate with service partners while retaining internal technical authority.
•    Project Closeout: Ensure complete, audit-ready turnover packages (as-builts, O&M docs) and formal customer sign-off.

Required
•    Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field (advanced degree preferred).
•    10+ years of experience in commissioning, system startup, field readiness, power systems deployment, or technical program leadership.
•    Demonstrated experience with BESS, DC power systems, power electronics, or complex industrial electrical systems.
•    Proven ability to serve as a technical authority while leading cross-functional, customer-facing teams.
•    Strong working knowledge of commissioning processes, energization readiness, acceptance testing, and system turnover.
Preferred
•    Experience in Renewable Energy, Automotive (EV), or Semiconductor industries.
•    Strong ability to communicate complex technical risks to executive leadership and board members.
•    Familiarity with export control regulations and international intellectual property protection.
Leadership Attributes
•    Visionary strategic thinker able to navigate rapidly evolving global energy storage markets.

Location & Travel
Location & Travel Southeast Michigan or Glendale, KY preferred. Remote arrangements will be considered for candidates with specialized expertise. Role requires domestic travel as needed

Company
As Ford establishes a wholly owned subsidiary focused on Battery Energy Storage Systems, this role will initially be employed by Ford and is expected to transition to the subsidiary within one year.

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