Senior Product Development Engineer

Reports To: Director of Product Engineering Employment Type: Full-Time About EGI Battery EGI Battery is a U.S.-based manufacturer of advanced lithium-ion batteries, focused on delivering NDAA-compliant energy solutions for critical applications. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, EGI is building a secure, domestic supply chain to support the growing demand for high-performance batteries in drone, eVTOL, and energy storage markets. Position Summary EGI Battery is seeking a highly motivated and technically versatile Senior Product Development Engineer to support the development, industrialization, and launch of advanced lithium-ion battery products. This role serves as a key technical resource bridging Product Engineering, Design Release Engineering (DRE), and Process Engineering functions throughout the product lifecycle. The successful candidate will lead activities from early-stage research and development through prototype and pilot production while ensuring a successful transition into full-scale manufacturing. The ideal candidate will possess a broad engineering background with experience in product design, manufacturing processes, technical documentation, and production launch activities. Working closely with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Equipment Engineering, and external suppliers, this individual will help ensure products meet performance, quality, reliability, manufacturability, and cost objectives. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Product Development Support the development of lithium-ion battery products from concept through production launch. Collaborate with R&D teams to transform concepts into manufacturable products. Develop and maintain product specifications, engineering requirements, and technical documentation. Evaluate product performance, reliability, safety, and manufacturability during all phases of development. Support prototype builds, engineering trials, pilot production activities, and validation testing. Conduct technical analysis, root cause investigations, and corrective action implementation. Participate in product design reviews and cross-functional engineering reviews. Support customer, supplier, and internal technical discussions as required. Design Release Engineering (DRE) Create, release, and maintain engineering drawings, specifications, bills of material (BOMs), and related documentation. Manage product configurations and engineering change control processes. Lead Engineering Change Requests (ECRs) and Engineering Change Orders (ECOs). Ensure designs meet functional, manufacturing, quality, safety, and cost requirements. Coordinate design reviews and approval processes. Maintain document control and product traceability throughout the product lifecycle. Support implementation and maintenance of PLM and document management systems. Process Engineering Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for battery products and assemblies. Support process development activities from laboratory and prototype environments through pilot manufacturing. Collaborate with equipment suppliers and manufacturing personnel to establish robust production processes. Develop process flow diagrams, manufacturing procedures, work instructions, control plans, and related documentation. Improve manufacturing safety, quality, yield, throughput, and cost performance. Lead troubleshooting and resolution of process-related manufacturing issues. Support process validation, capability studies, and continuous improvement initiatives. Assist in the specification, installation, qualification, and startup of manufacturing equipment. New Product Introduction (NPI) and Production Launch Act as the primary technical liaison between R&D and Manufacturing. Assist with Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) reviews. Plan and coordinate prototype, engineering, pilot, and pre-production builds. Establish manufacturing readiness criteria and product launch plans. Support production ramp-up and transfer of products into manufacturing operations. Drive closure of launch-related technical issues. Ensure successful handoff of products and processes from development to production teams. Provide ongoing technical support during early production phases. Required Qualifications Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related engineering discipline. Minimum ten (10) years of experience in product engineering, manufacturing engineering, process engineering, battery manufacturing, automotive, electronics, or related industries. Experience developing and maintaining engineering drawings, specifications, and bills of material. Experience supporting new product development and manufacturing launch activities. Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and engineering change management. Demonstrated problem-solving and root cause analysis skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment. Strong organizational and cross-functional collaboration skills. Preferred Qualifications Experience with lithium-ion battery manufacturing. Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, SPC, and MSA methodologies. Experience supporting prototype, pilot, and production manufacturing operations. Experience using CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, CATIA, or similar platforms. Experience using PLM, ERP, and document control systems. Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma certification a plus. Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies Design Release Engineering Manufacturing Process Development Engineering Documentation and Change Control Design for Manufacturability (DFM) Design for Assembly (DFA) Cross-Functional Leadership Technical Communication Battery Manufacturing Processes Success in this role will be demonstrated through Successful development and launch of new battery products. Timely release and maintenance of engineering documentation and product definitions. Development of manufacturing processes capable of meeting safety, quality, throughput, and cost targets. Effective transfer of products from R&D through pilot production and into full-scale manufacturing. Improvements in product quality, manufacturing yield, and operational efficiency. Strong collaboration across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain functions. Compensation The base salary range for this position will be determined based on the candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills, and other relevant factors. 100% 401(k) match up to 5% of base salary Medical, dental, and vision insurance through BCBS. This position is eligible for performance-based bonus and/or equity incentive plans in accordance with EGI Battery’s applicable programs. Physical Demands Ability to work primarily from EGI’s Ann Arbor location and collaborate in office, laboratory, and manufacturing environments. Ability to travel domestically and internationally, as needed, for customer, supplier, equipment, facility, and program engagements. Ability to enter manufacturing and laboratory areas and comply with applicable safety and personal protective equipment requirements. Work Authorization and Visa Sponsorship Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States. EGI Battery does not provide employment-based visa sponsorship for this position at this current time. #J-18808-Ljbffr