As the Validation Lead for High Voltage Battery Management Systems (BMS), you will own and drive the validation strategy and execution for core BMS functionalities in next-generation electrified passenger vehicles.
Your mission is to ensure that the BMS delivers robust energy management, precise state estimation, fault-safe operation, and long-term battery durability, aligned with stringent performance, safety, and premium vehicle expectations. This role requires a deep functional understanding of BMS algorithms and controls, combined with strong validation leadership across the full development lifecycle.
Key Responsibilities
- BMS Functional Validation Ownership Define, validate, and ensure the performance of critical BMS functions, including:
State Estimation Algorithms:
- SOC (State of Charge): accuracy across temperature and aging.
- SOH (State of Health): capacity and resistance estimation.
- SOP (State of Power): available charge/discharge power limits.
- Energy throughput and lifetime prediction models.
Cell and Pack Management:
- Cell balancing strategies (passive/active) and efficiency validation.
- Cell voltage monitoring and deviation detection.
- Current measurement accuracy and drift handling.
Thermal and Energy Management:
- Battery thermal behavior under charge/discharge and fast charging.
- Validation of thermal derating strategies.
- Interaction with vehicle thermal systems and coolant loops.
Charging Control and Interfaces:
- AC/DC charging behavior and limits enforcement.
- Communication with charging systems (CCS protocols).
- Fast charging performance, stability, and safety envelope.
Fault Detection and Diagnostics:
- Detection of overvoltage, undervoltage, overcurrent, and short circuits.
- Sensor failures and plausibility checks.
- Diagnostic coverage and fault reaction strategies (Limp-home and degradation modes).
High Voltage Safety Mechanisms:
- Isolation monitoring and leakage detection.
- Contactor control strategies and pre-charge validation.
- Thermal runaway detection, propagation mitigation, and shutdown.
- Validation Strategy and Planning Define a comprehensive validation framework for all BMS functionalities across:
- Levels: MIL / SIL / HIL / Vehicle levels.
- Methodology: Develop requirement-based and scenario-based validation plans.
- Traceability: Ensure traceability from system requirements to test cases and results.
- Real-world Scenarios: Incorporate edge cases and usage profiles (e.g., extreme climates, aggressive driving, long-term aging).
- Execution Across Validation Levels Lead validation activities in:
- HIL setups for closed-loop BMS testing.
- Battery pack and cell test benches.
- Vehicle-level validation under real driving conditions.
- Performance testing under temperature extremes, aging scenarios, and high-load conditions.
- Functional Safety and Compliance
- Ensure compliance with safety-critical BMS functionalities.
- Support FMEA, DFA, and safety case development.
- Integration and System-Level Validation Ensure correct interaction of the BMS with:
- Electric drivetrain (inverter, e-motor).
- On-board charger (OBC) and DC fast charging systems.
- Thermal management systems.
- Drive validation of cross-domain behaviors impacting range and performance.
- Leadership and Stakeholder Management
- Lead and mentor a team of validation engineers.
- Interface with battery system design, software, and controls teams.
- Collaborate with suppliers and external validation partners.
- Drive technical alignment on validation methods, maturity, and quality.
- Issue Resolution and Continuous Improvement
- Lead deep-dive root cause analysis of BMS validation failures.
- Drive improvements in model accuracy, test coverage, and automation.
- Ensure robust documentation and audit readiness.
Required Qualifications
Education
- Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Mechatronics, or equivalent.
Experience
- 10+ years in automotive development with a focus on lithium-ion battery systems and BMS validation.
- Proven experience validating core BMS functionalities (SOC, SOH, balancing, safety logic).
- Experience in series production programs and vehicle integration.
Technical Expertise
- Domain knowledge of battery electrochemistry, degradation, and advanced BMS algorithms.
- Hands-on experience with HIL (dSPACE, Vector, NI) and CAN tools (CANoe, CANalyzer).
- Knowledge of ASPICE V-cycle processes and ISO 26262 functional safety.
- Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, and Simulink for validation and analysis.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with 800V architectures and high-performance EVs.
- Exposure to fast charging validation and energy optimization.
- Familiarity with ISO 21434 (cybersecurity).
- German language skills are beneficial.
