Chief Mechanical Engineer

Fluence is seeking for a highly qualified Chief Mechanical Engineer who will serve as the technical authority for the design and validation of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) enclosures and products. This role is the ultimate technical owner of the structural, mechanical, and noise mitigation aspects of BESS designs, ensuring all systems are robust, reliable, and optimized for large-scale production. Using advanced simulation tools such as Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and structural analysis, the Chief Mechanical Engineer will validate designs to meet performance, safety, and noise reduction requirements. The ideal candidate will report to the Chief BESS Engineer and will set Fluence’s mechanical engineering standards, driving innovation and ensuring all designs adhere to the highest technical standards.

As the Chief Mechanical Engineer for our BESS enclosures and products at Fluence, you will be responsible for:

• Technical Authority:
• Serve as the lead technical authority for all structural, mechanical, and noise mitigation designs related to BESS enclosures.
• Lead design reviews and provide final approval and oversight on mechanical design decisions, ensuring they meet technical, performance, and regulatory requirements.
• Establish and enforce Fluence’s engineering standards and best practices for the mechanical design and validation of BESS enclosures.

• BESS Enclosure Design:
• Lead the design and development of BESS enclosures, focusing on structural integrity, thermal management, and noise control.
• Ensure that enclosure designs meet environmental and operational requirements, including safety, durability, and compliance with industry standards.
• Optimize designs for manufacturability, balancing cost, complexity, and scalability for large-scale production.

• Design Validation:
• Utilize Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and structural analysis to validate enclosure and component designs.
• Perform in-depth analyses to assess the mechanical performance of designs under different load conditions, environmental factors, and operational stresses.
• Guide the enclosure and component design verification process, ensuring that all designs undergo rigorous testing and validation before full-scale manufacturing.

• Noise Mitigation:
• Develop and implement noise mitigation strategies for BESS enclosures, ensuring compliance with noise regulations and operational noise reduction goals.
• Set engineering standard for noise testing and analyses to verify the effectiveness of noise control measures.
• Integrate noise control solutions into the overall enclosure design without compromising structural or mechanical integrity.

• Structural and Mechanical Analysis:
• Lead team conducting detailed structural analyses to ensure that BESS enclosures are capable of withstanding operational loads, including wind, seismic events, and other external forces.
• Set required mechanical evaluations to ensure the durability and reliability of components, materials, and assembly methods.
• Ensure that all lifting, handling, and transportation requirements are integrated into the enclosure designs and validated for safety and practicality.

• Leadership and Collaboration:
• Provide technical direction for mechanical engineering team, guiding them through the design and validation processes for BESS enclosures.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including electrical, thermal, and manufacturing engineers, to ensure seamless integration of mechanical systems into the overall BESS product.
• Act as the primary technical liaison with external partners, suppliers, and contractors to ensure that all mechanical designs meet technical specifications and quality standards.

• Continuous Improvement and Innovation:
• Drive continuous improvements in mechanical design, validation processes, and noise mitigation techniques.
• Stay at the forefront of industry trends, incorporating new technologies and design methods to enhance the performance and manufacturability of BESS enclosures.
• Foster a culture of engineering excellence, promoting innovation and technical rigor within the team.

• Regulatory and Compliance:
• Ensure all mechanical designs comply with relevant industry standards (UL, NFPA, etc), including structural, safety, and noise regulations for energy storage systems.
• Support the certification and regulatory approval processes by leading technical documentation strategy and ensuring products meet all necessary regulatory requirements.

What we look for you to bring to Fluence:

• Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• 15+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, with experience in enclosure design and design validation for large-scale systems and/or battery systems.
• Expertise in Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and structural analysis to validate and optimize designs.
• Proficient in using CAD software and advanced simulation tools such as PTC Creo, ANSYS, or similar platforms.
• Extensive experience in designing systems for high-volume manufacturing, with an emphasis on structural integrity, noise mitigation, and cost efficiency.
• Strong understanding of mechanical system integration, materials science, and environmental considerations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead engineering teams and manage complex projects from concept to production.

• Preferred Skills:
• Experience in the Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) industry or related fields.
• Familiarity with noise reduction techniques and compliance with noise regulations.
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills, with a collaborative approach to working with cross-functional teams.

• Key Skills:
• Excellent problem-solving and strategic thinking capabilities.
• Ability to work in diverse cultural environments with global teams and customers.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to drive quick resolution to issues and to innovate.