GM to build their own batteries, seeks new employee
Although they haven't told us who yet, GM has chosen the battery supplier for the upcoming Chevy Volt (above). Still, whether it is LG Chem or A123 that gets the Volt contract, it seems that the General may need more batteries than the chosen one can deliver. The company is, after all, planning more vehicles based on the Volt-type architecture and might also want to move to lithium ion chemistry for its old school hybrids since the NiMH batteries from Cobasys has been less than reliable. Even though some battery companies out there are looking for more business GM doesn't want to have to depend on foreign companies or distant production facilities for its power packs. At least that seemed the message the Wall Street Journal seemed to get from recent trips to Washington by Detroit execs.
So what's the solution? Perhaps the number one Detroit automaker is going to take it upon itself to build its own batteries. Although it hasn't made any public announcements to that effect it does seem they are soliciting a new employee who's job-to-be description includes, "Manufacturing Engineering lead for the creation of a battery manufacturing plant assembly process and first implementation execution." The recent listing on the Linked In website placed by GM calls for a candidate with an MS mechanical, electrical or chemical engineering and many other advanced qualifications to be a lithium ion battery Engineering Group Manager (EGM). Regardless of the scope of GM's battery-making ambitions, if you, or if someone you know, is seeking a sweet full time tech job with a well-established American manufacturing company and have, among other things, an "ability to deal with ambiguity where clear solutions are unknown," then give it a shot.
[Source: Linked In]
JOB OPENING
Lithium Ion Battery Manager at General Motors
Location: Warren, MI (Greater Detroit Area)
URL: http://www.gm.com
Apply Now
Type:
Full-time
Experience:
Mid-Senior level
Functions:
Management
Industries:
Automotive
Posted:
September 12, 2008
Job Code:
MAN0005715
Job Description
The Engineering Group Manager (EGM) will be responsible for overall project management and execution of Li-Ion Battery/Cell strategies and technologies within General Motors. They will be responsible for managing cross functional organizations to deliver future program manufacturing plans that reflect cost effective, strategically advantageous engineering solutions to support future product designs.
Job Description:
Manufacturing Engineering lead for the creation of a battery manufacturing plant assembly process and first implementation execution.
Insure cross functional organizations have required resources to meet program deliverables.
Remove roadblocks inhibiting timely completion of deliverables to ensure fast to market solutions.
Evaluate program plans to insure consistency with defined battery assembly Bill of Process and Bill of Equipment whilst meeting allowable cost book targets.
Provide technical guidance and support in developing manufacturing strategies and solutions
Demonstrate leadership behaviors in keeping with GM core values
Commonize processes utilized by teams to complete deliverables and develop standardized work to ensure consistency in execution.
Skills
Basic Required:
BS in Mechanical, Electrical Engineering or Chemical Engineering
Experience in process development / manufacturing engineering experience or equivalent training within a company that utilizes/develops advanced battery technology.
Experience in advanced battery production
Demonstrated experience with developing assembly processes
Demonstrated experience in process qualifications and quality systems
Knowledge in common manufacturing process for battery module assembly, including advanced batteries (Li-Ion preferred)
Knowledge of engineering software and systems as it pertains to engineering
High level of business acumen
High level of oral and written communication skills
High level of interpersonal skills to work independently and effectively with others
Basic Preferred:
MS in Mechanical, Electrical or Chemical Engineering with 5+ years experience in process development / manufacturing engineering experience or equivalent training
Experience in manufacturing engineering responsible for specification, procurement and qualification of battery module assembly equipment
Knowledge of automotive or high volume quality systems
Statistical or problem solving training
Ability to deal with ambiguity where clear solutions are unknown
Experience in developing direct reports and others
Experience in building effective teams
Ability to manage innovation, facilitate effective brainstorming, and bring the creative ideas of others to market
Strategic agility to see ahead clearly and create competitive and breakthrough strategies and plans.
Job ID: 605448
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
brn 4:38PM (9/16/2008)
That's a big jump. Maybe they're looking for someone that can help them in continuous audits and evaluations for battery suppliers?
If they really were making their own batteries, that'd be very cool. Ford would line up to buy them.
Reply
Tim 4:59PM (9/16/2008)
According to GreenCa Congress.com
"GM Working on New Li-Ion Anode and Cathode Materials with 3X Present Capacity"
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2008/09/gm-working-on-n.html#more
"Dr. G. Abbas Nazri from GM Research was a bit more blunt in his talk at ALBAA, saying “most of the current chemistry is not going to make it for plug-in and particularly for EV applications.” GM, said Dr. Abbas, is looking for about a three-fold increase in anode and cathode capacity over that provided by the conventional combination of carbonaceous anodes and layered oxide cathodes."
"On the cathode side, Abbas said that GM had developed a material with capacity close to the 3X target..."
"The Li-C-Si anode is produced by layering silicon atop a carbon nanofiber."
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BoneHeadOtto 10:12PM (9/16/2008)
wow they only need one Employee to build all those batteries.
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Serge 6:23PM (9/16/2008)
nice picture; Volt's design is really starting to sink in ... (IMHO those accidental shots released last week didn't do it justice).
As far as batteries are concerned, I'd like to see AltairNano's anode material coupled with LiFePO4 cathode for safety, perfomance, energy density and cost. Perhaps in time, Cui's Silicon Nanowire or Sion Power's Lithium-Sulfur tech makes it out of the lab.
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Anth 6:24PM (9/16/2008)
If they have the opportunity, they should license Altairnano's technology. 10,000 cycle lithium-ion based technology, no fire hazard. The battery, at one charge per day, would last 27 years.
The future is definitely vertical integration - all the major manufacturers will have their own in-house battery development facilities. Otherwise they go from manufacturers to integrators and designers, like the computer industry - HP, Dell, etc have an Intel or AMD chip and the only difference is tech support, chassis design/form factor and price point.
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dude 6:57PM (9/16/2008)
I think I might...but then again it's Detroit. Cool job, crappy location.
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PaulG 6:49AM (9/17/2008)
"I think I might...but then again it's Detroit. Cool job, crappy location."
Give me a break, you obviously never lived in the Detroit area. The middle, upper and executive classes live outside the city on many many enclaves that will leave one bewildered at the wealth.
Tony Belding 9:38PM (9/16/2008)
From a strategic standpoint. . . GM buy large parts of their cars from suppliers, but they've always maintained control over their core technology: the internal combustion engine. If they are serious about electrification of the automobile, then manufacturing their own batteries would be a natural move.
Reply
John Rowell 9:37PM (9/16/2008)
I doubt GM could reliably make their own batteries - their expertise is automotive, batteries are a very specialized process. Even those big specialized battery manufacturers have a challenge making the new high tech lithium batteries, how could a company like GM with no experience in the battery field hope to achieve any success in that area?
Reply
Realistic Idealist 4:02AM (9/17/2008)
And the end of GM begins...
With another $$$ blackhole to throw money at they will never be able to compete with independent producers of battery technology and maintain their amazingly horrid line-up of vehicles.
Anyone care to guess how long they have left and how they will go?
My guess: 7 years. 2015: China buys GM due to bankruptcy.
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BlamBlamBlam 4:27AM (9/17/2008)
...i give it 5 years.
...reason: Ford & GM merge.
...new name: Ford General Motors Company = FGMC
F: Focused
G: Goals
M: Moving
C: China
or whatever acronym you can think of... lol.
Alex 4:43AM (9/17/2008)
@Real
2 Years...
2010: Board Member dies in tragic Hip/Knee Replacement Surgery gone tragically awry. No longer able to step on the accelerator pedal, guides company into building instrument panel remotely operated by electrical impulses from driver's mammary glands ("nipples") connected to energy source (from failed battery program), thus creating a legion of prosthetic uber cyborg "boob"-men and forcing a liquidation of all assets on a massive HSN sell-a-thon hosted by John McCain "TV's new infomercial king".
*Applause*