Acquisition Engineer

Job Overview:

The Acquisition Engineer plays a crucial role in driving the technical aspects of customer interactions within the lithium-ion battery domain during the Request for Information (RFI) and Request for Quotation (RFQ) phases.

The role requires strong expertise in lithium-ion battery cell technology, integration, and Battery Management Systems (BMS). The Acquisition Engineer ensures smooth communication between customers and internal teams, coordinates technical feedback, and plays an active role in continuous improvement by standardizing practices and capturing lessons learned across projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Technical Support during RFI/RFQ Phases: Serve as the primary technical point of contact for customers, addressing queries related to lithium-ion cell technology, battery integration, and overall system performance.
• Provide expert-level technical input on battery chemistry, cell design, energy density, thermal management, and battery safety.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (engineering, product management, and manufacturing) to gather feedback on technical feasibility and ensure alignment with customer requirements.
• Coordinate internal discussions and ensure timely consolidation of input for RFI/RFQ responses.
• Review and validate all technical feedback, ensuring it meets the customer's needs and complies with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure that the technical feedback is clearly communicated and aligned with project feasibility, time lines, and costs.
• Organise and lead technical discussions and meetings between internal teams and customers, ensuring all open points are discussed and tracked.
• Drive discussions on battery design, BMS integration, and safety considerations to meet customer expectations.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of all technical discussions, decisions, and open points, ensuring visibility and traceability throughout the project.
• Track progress on customer deliverables and manage internal time lines to ensure deadlines are met.
• Lead efforts to standardise best practices in the acquisition process, ensuring that key learning's from previous projects are applied to future opportunities.
• Develop documentation and templates to streamline the response to RFIs and RFQs.
• Propose improvements in cell technology integration, BMS functionality, and regulatory compliance based on lessons learned from past projects.
• Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction by delivering technically sound solutions, managing expectations effectively, and maintaining strong communication lines throughout the acquisition process.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field. A Master's degree or specialisation in battery technology is a plus.
• Experience: 5+ years of experience in a technical role related to lithium-ion batteries, including cell design, integration, or BMS.
• Proven experience in customer-facing roles during RFI/RFQ phases, ideally within the automotive, energy storage, or high-tech manufacturing industries.
• In-depth knowledge of lithium-ion cell technology, chemistry, performance, and integration into battery packs.
• Familiarity with Battery Management Systems (BMS), safety protocols, and thermal management solutions.
• Understanding of relevant regulatory standards (e.g., UN 38.3, UL, ISO) and industry practices for lithium-ion batteries.
• Strong organisational and coordination skills to manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring effective delivery of technical input.
• Ability to manage time lines and priorities while balancing customer needs with internal team capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong collaboration skills to foster effective teamwork across engineering, product, and customer teams.
• Ability to anticipate technical challenges and propose feasible solutions, with a strong focus on customer satisfaction and project feasibility.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hands-on experience with lithium-ion battery pack development, cell testing, or BMS software.

• Familiarity with automotive OEM standards and requirements, especially regarding battery safety, performance, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience in developing standardised processes and best practices for technical response management.