Director, Battery Pack Engineering

About ALSO.

We’re ALSO, an electric mobility company originally conceived as a part of Rivian. We’re a passionate team of builders, dreamers, doers and innovators, focused on creating entirely new (not to mention, innovative and delightful) vertically integrated, small EVs designed to meet the global mobility challenges of today and tomorrow. Our mission is to inspire everyone to ride ALSO—replacing many local car, truck and SUV miles with ones on vehicles that are more affordable, more enjoyable and 10-50x more efficient.

ALSO is seeking a technical leader who can grow high-performing engineering teams while delivering fully integrated, high-quality battery packs across mechanical, electrical, thermal, and safety domains.

What You Will Do

• Lead end-to-end battery pack product development, including detailed mechanical design, validation and testing, DFM/DFX, high-volume manufacturing ramp, certification, and continuous product and process improvements.

• Manage multiple battery technology and product development workstreams spanning early concept, detailed design, validation, launch, and sustaining engineering.
  Grow and lead several small engineering teams across mechanical design, test, modeling, and requirements engineering; provide coaching, prioritization, and technical guidance.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with battery cell suppliers and drive cell selection and qualification for each new application.

• Expand cell- and pack-level performance and safety testing capabilities, including lab infrastructure, equipment, and test processes.

• Advance cell- and pack-level electrical, thermal, life, and health modeling capabilities to support design, controls, and safety analysis.

• Collaborate closely with Systems Engineering, Product Architecture, BMS hardware, and Controls Engineering to deliver integrated, high-performance battery systems.

What You Will Bring

• BS or higher in engineering (mechanical or related) with strong grounding in mechanical design, structures, and heat transfer.

• Proven track record of industrializing multiple high-quality, high-volume battery packs or modules (0.5–8 kWh+ energy range).

• Exceptional first-principles mechanical engineering skills with strong analytical, modeling, and design capabilities.

• Deep understanding of lithium-ion batteries, including operating principles, chemistry tradeoffs, failure modes, safety-by-design strategies, cell manufacturing, and the supplier landscape.

• Hands-on experience with safety-critical design, testing, and iteration, including strategies for controlled energy release during severe failure events.

• Strong experience working with contract manufacturers, including design release, documentation control, build readiness, on-site collaboration, and ramp-to-mass-production execution.

• Ability to develop and industrialize advanced manufacturing processes, such as wire bonding, laser welding, adhesive dispensing, and related joining/assembly flows.

• Strong understanding of battery safety and reliability qualification, including shock/vibration, environmental stress, abuse testing, and single-cell initiation methods; capable of building and interpreting test plans aligned with UL/IEC/UN regulations.

• Knowledge of physics-based modeling for battery cells and packs, plus familiarity with BMS algorithm design and performance methods.

• Understanding of BMS electrical architectures and hardware design, and how they integrate into battery packs.

The salary for this position ranges from $250,000 to $320,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications.

Why ALSO.

We’re passionate about helping the world find a better way to get there—wherever it is you’re headed.

We’re located in the heart of Silicon Valley and have brought together a world-class team from some of the biggest brands in the technology, automotive, cycling, outdoor recreation and retail spaces. 

Together we’re working hands-on to imagine, design and build an entirely new solution to a global set of transportation challenges. 

Perks and Benefits

• Robust health coverage. Excellent health, dental and vision insurance covered up to 100% by ALSO with FSA & HSA options.

• One Medical membership and dedicated insurance advocates.

• Rich fertility and family building benefits with Progyny.

• Flexible time off. 

• 401(k) match.