Functional Safety Engineer

Job Summary:

The Functional Safety Engineer is responsible for ensuring compliance with functional safety standards (e.g., ISO 26262, IEC 61508) for the development and manufacturing of high-voltage battery packs for automotive, construction, off-highway, railway, and mining applications. This role involves developing safety concepts, conducting safety analyses, and working closely with cross-functional teams to integrate safety requirements into the product lifecycle. The Functional Safety Engineer plays a critical role in ensuring that safety is a core element of the product design and development process, addressing customer requirements, and supporting certification activities.

Responsibilities:

• Perform safety analyses, such as Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), and Hazard and Risk Assessments (HARA).
• Guide the customer and project team to define and document functional and technical safety concepts, safety requirements, and architecture.
• Guide the project teams to ensure traceability of safety requirements through design, validation, and verification.
• Guide design and engineering teams in implementing safety mechanisms such as monitoring, fault detection, and redundancy in high-voltage battery systems.
• Support teams in selecting and validating hardware and software components to meet safety requirements.
• Provide expertise in the design of Battery Management Systems (BMS) with respect to safety-critical functions.
• Work with customers to understand their safety requirements and ensure alignment with project goals.
• Collaborate with suppliers to validate safety-critical components and systems.
• Stay updated on functional safety standards and industry best practices.
• Contribute to the development of organizational processes to improve functional safety capabilities.
• Adhere to federal and state regulations.
• Adhere to all company policies, processes, and procedures.
• Performs other duties as requested, directed, or assigned.
• Predictable and reliable attendance.
  
  

Position Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience developing functional safety relevant products, preferred in the high-voltage battery or automotive industry.
• Demonstrated experience with high-voltage systems and battery technologies is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of ISO 26262, IEC 61508, and other safety standards relevant to automotive, construction, railway, and industrial sectors.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams on projects or issue resolution activities
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for hazard analysis and risk assessment.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience with safety analysis tools and methodologies, such as FMEA, FTA, and HARA.
• Experience with tools such as Medini Analyze, ANSYS, or similar safety analysis software.
• Familiarity with battery management systems and high-voltage battery technologies is advantageous.
  
  

Key Competencies:

• Influences Others: Has personal and organizational impact built on mutual trust, fairness, and honesty. Flexes their style to direct, collaborate, or empower, as the situation requires.
• Mission, Vision, Values, and Strategic Priorities Focused: Understands and actively supports the organization’s mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities.
• Continual Improvement: Displays a consistent orientation toward producing the highest quality products or services, while keeping a focus on sustainability. Constantly looking for incremental improvements in work processes and results.
• Delivers Results: Achievement-oriented, feeling a sense of urgency to reach goals on time, if not before.
• Takes Initiative: Exhibits strong drive for results and success; conveys a sense of urgency and drives issues to closure; persists despite obstacles and opposition.
• Business Process Thinking: Designing, implementing, and executing business workflow activities that most effectively and efficiently meet the goals of the business unit and ABS.
  
  

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Required to walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk and hear.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Will be placed in a comfortable office environment for approximately 80% of the work time.
• The noise level in the office environment is usually minimal.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office equipment.
• Ability to adjust focus, especially due to concentration on a computer screen.
• May need to lift and carry up to 30 pounds and/or position the body to reach items on the floor/below knee level or reach overhead.
• The noise level in the work environment can be moderately loud.
• May be required to recognize small numbers, letters, symbols, colors on prints, and/or operate field instruments/equipment.
  
  

Why Join Us

American Battery Solutions (ABS) provides comprehensive 100% employer paid benefit plans to employees and their family, competitive salary and retirement program. ABS employs a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Benefits Overview

• Paid time off includes 4 weeks, 15 holidays, and parental leave.
• 100% company-paid medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) offerings.
• Company provided 401K savings plan with immediately vested matching contributions to help you save for retirement.
• Voluntary benefits offerings.
• Tuition assistance.
• Employee Referral Program.
• Employee development and career growth opportunities.
  
  

About Us

American Battery Solutions Inc. (“ABS”) is a manufacturer of advanced batteries for commercial, fleet, and industrial on- and off-road vehicles. Located in the heart of the U.S. automotive region with facilities in Michigan and Ohio. In 2023, ABS was acquired by Komatsu, a world leader in construction, mining, forestry, and industrial heavy equipment in support of Komatsu’s 2050 carbon neutrality goal. ABS continues to operate as an independent entity serving Komatsu applications while continuing to expand and grow our core commercial, fleet and industrial business.

As we have grown, ABS has assembled a world-class team of dedicated and experienced engineers. This team is equipped with a deep understanding of high-voltage, automotive-grade battery systems from concept development and prototyping, to testing and validation, to high-volume production. We pride ourselves on developing a diverse team of next generation battery experts.

The Location - Lake Orion

American Battery Solutions Headquarters and Innovation Center is located in the heart of South-East Michigan in Orion Township. Orion Township is a Pure Michigan Trail Town that has a long-standing dedication to enhancing trails and pathways in its community, which is home to the Polly Ann Trail, Paint Creek Trail, and Iron Belle Trail. The township has more than 50 miles of trails. Southeast Michigan also boasts some of the best eating around! Whether your interest is in furthering your education, enjoying one of the many regional sporting events, or enjoying the vast outdoors that Michigan has to offer, you’ll be at the center of it here!

AMERICAN BATTERY SOLUTIONS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.