General Motors

Staff Architect, Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)

General Motors$134K — $207K *
Energy & Utilities
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 7+ years of product engineering experience
  • Bachelor of Science in Engineering
  • Proven success leading technical development of battery energy storage systems or related products
  • Strong understanding of BESS subsystems and their integration
  • Excellent communication skills for distilling technical concepts for decision-making
  • Demonstrated ability to develop executable product development processes
  • Proven capability in mentoring technical experts

Responsibilities

  • Lead the development of BESS products from concept through launch
  • Translate product concepts into system requirements and executable development plans
  • Own system architecture and integration across various subsystems
  • Drive technical tradeoff studies balancing performance and cost
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure products meet launch readiness parameters
  • Guide designs through development gates with technical rigor
  • Identify technical risks and develop mitigation plans

Benefits

  • Variety of health and wellbeing programs including medical, dental, and vision
  • Retirement savings plan
  • Paid vacation and holidays
  • Tuition assistance programs
  • Employee assistance program
  • GM vehicle discounts
  • Participation in a company vehicle evaluation program
Full Job Description
Job Description

Staff Architect, Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)

The Role

The Staff Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Architect will lead the development of BESS products from concept through launch. This is a highly visible role for an engineer who enjoys owning technical direction, shaping system architecture, and aligning cross-functional teams to deliver robust, launch-ready products.

In this position, you will define system architecture, drive key technical decisions, and help translate product concepts into executable development plans. You will play a key role in ensuring products deliver against performance, cost, safety, reliability, manufacturability, and timing targets while helping build the foundation for GM's growing battery energy storage portfolio.

What You'll Do
  • Lead the development of BESS products from concept through launch.
  • Translate product concepts into system requirements, architectures, and executable development plans.
  • Own system architecture and integration across cells, modules, structures, thermal management, sensing, bussing, electronics, power conversion interfaces, and safety systems.
  • Drive technical tradeoff studies and engineering decisions that balance performance, cost, safety, reliability, manufacturability, and program timing.
  • Work closely with cross-functional partners across systems, manufacturing, validation, supply chain, quality, and program management to ensure products are launch-ready for quality, cost, and throughput targets.
  • Guide designs through development gates with strong technical rigor and clear evidence that requirements have been achieved.
  • Serve as the program's primary technical interface to leadership.
  • Identify technical risks early, develop mitigation plans, and lead issue resolution to keep programs on track.
  • Benchmark BESS products and relevant adjacent industries to identify opportunities in architecture, technology, and development approach.
  • Help define and improve BESS engineering processes, tools, standards, and templates to support future program growth.
  • Mentor and develop technical talent across the organization.


Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)
  • Proven success leading technical development of battery energy storage systems, battery packs, or related electrified products
  • Strong understanding of BESS subsystems, including cells, modules, structures, thermal management, sensing, bussing, battery management systems, controls, power conversion interfaces, and safety systems
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and execute system-level technical strategies
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to distill complex technical topics for leadership and cross-functional decision-making
  • Experience creating robust and executable product development processes and templates
  • Proven ability to mentor and develop technical experts
  • Demonstrated data-driven decision-making grounded in first principles
  • Bachelor of Science in Engineering
  • 7+ years of product engineering experience


What will give you a competitive edge (Preferred Qualifications)
  • Strong experience owning development of complex products and assemblies through concept, design maturation, prototyping, and production
  • Deep understanding of BESS design, integration, and market requirements
  • Knowledge of relevant BESS codes, standards, and certification frameworks
  • Understanding of competitive BESS products, market trends, and emerging technologies
  • Experience supporting launch, issue resolution, and product refinement in early production
  • Master of Science in Engineering or a related technical field
  • Experience developing energy storage products, battery systems, battery packs, or related electrified products


Compensation: The compensation information is a good faith estimate only. It is based on what a successful applicant might be paid in accordance with applicable state laws. The actual base salary a successful candidate will be offered within this range will vary based on factors relevant to the position, as well as geography of the selected candidate.
  • The salary range for this role is $134,700 - $207,600. The actual base salary a successful candidate will be offered within this range will vary based on factors relevant to the position.
  • Bonus Potential: An incentive pay program offers payouts based on company performance, job level, and individual performance.
  • Benefits: GM offers a variety of health and wellbeing benefit programs. Benefit options include medical, dental, vision, Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Accounts, retirement savings plan, sickness and accident benefits, life insurance, paid vacation & holidays, tuition assistance programs, employee assistance program, GM vehicle discounts and more.


Company Vehicle: Upon successful completion of a motor vehicle report review, you will be eligible to participate in a company vehicle evaluation program, through which you will be assigned a General Motors vehicle to drive and evaluate. Note: program participants are required to purchase/lease a qualifying GM vehicle every four years unless one of a limited number of exceptions applies.
This role is based remotely, but if the selected candidate lives within a specific mile radius of a GM hub, they will be expected to report to the location three times a week {or other frequency dictated by your manager}.This job may be eligible for relocation benefits.

About General Motors

General Motors Company engages in the manufacture and sale of cars and trucks in the United States, China, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy. It offers sedans, crossovers, sport utility vehicles, pick-up trucks, coupes, sports/convertibles and hybrid vehicles, hatchbacks/wagons, and vans, as well as mini cars in India. The company also provides parts and accessories, such as iPod and MP3 compatibility, mobility accessories, performance parts, AC parts and services, and merchandise. In addition, it offers vehicle safety, security, and information services. The company provides used vehicles. It offers its products through dealers and distributors. General Motors Company was formerly known as NGMCO, Inc. and changed its name to General Motors Company in July 2009. The company was incorporated in 2009 and is based in Detroit, Michigan. It operates manufacturing facilities in India, the United States, and Canada. General Motors Company operates as a subsidiary of the United States Department of The Treasury. General Motors led global vehicle sales for 77 consecutive years from 1931 through 2007, longer than any other automaker, and is currently among the world's largest automakers by vehicle unit sales. General Motors acts in most countries outside the USA via wholly-owned subsidiaries but operates in China through 10 joint ventures. GM's OnStar subsidiary provides vehicle safety, security, and information services. In 2009, General Motors shed several brands, closing Saturn, Pontiac, and Hummer, and emerged from a government-backed Chapter 11 reorganization. In 2010, GM made an initial public offering IPOs to date and returned to profitability later that year.

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Join the dynamic team at General Motors, a global leader in automotive innovation and technology. At General Motors, we offer unparalleled job opportunities that propel your career forward while contributing to a legacy of engineering excellence.

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Embark on a career with General Motors to drive the future of mobility. Our team is dedicated to redefining the automotive landscape through innovation and leadership in electric vehicles and sustainable solutions. By joining us, you will be part of a culture that values diversity, teamwork, and continuous professional growth.

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As part of our global workforce, you will collaborate with talented individuals who are passionate about shaping the future of transportation. General Motors offers a variety of career paths in engineering, design, IT, marketing, and more. With over 155,000 employees worldwide, our network provides expansive opportunities for networking and professional development.

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Start your career journey with a General Motors internship, where you can apply your academic knowledge to real-world projects. Our internships provide a robust foundation in the automotive industry, with mentorship from experienced leaders. Full-time employees enjoy a wealth of benefits, including comprehensive health care, retirement plans, and performance bonuses, ensuring that your hard work is rewarded.

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Learn more about General Motors
Size
157,000 employees
Market Cap
$46.9 billion
Industry
Net Income
$6.4 billion
Founded
1908
5 Year Trend
-3.2%
Revenue
$122.4 billion
NASDAQ

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