Director of System Strategy & Tech Planning

The Director of Systems Strategy & Technology Planning connects customer needs with the Company’s technology strategy. This leader translates market and product requirements into technology roadmaps, development priorities, and executable engineering programs while aligning long-term investments, portfolio decisions, and execution. The role leads systems planning, technical strategy, technology portfolio governance, and Technical Program Management (TPM).

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in battery technology, systems engineering, safety engineering, and product development, along with proven success building teams, developing talent, and driving cross-functional alignment. This role may be remote or based at ZincFive’s Tualatin, Oregon headquarters and reports to the SVP, Technology and Engineering.

Director of System Strategy & Technology Planning Job Duties:

• Define and maintain multi-generation technology roadmaps across battery systems hardware, including battery cells and critical components, controls and software manufacturing technologies, and safety engineering and testing
• Identify capability gaps and technology investment priorities
• Serve as primary technical counterpart to Product Management in strategic planning and translate customer requirements and market opportunities into system-level product requirements
• Lead technical feasibility assessments for future products and roadmap concepts and ensure technology roadmaps and product roadmaps remain synchronized
• Establish system architecture strategy and standards across all product platforms and drive requirements flow-down from system-level requirements through target subsystem specifications, including battery cell specifications
• Facilitate architecture reviews and alternative technology assessments, including assisting in trade-off analysis related to performance, cost, safety reliability, and manufacturability
• Ensure architectural consistency across product families
• Lead a team of Technical Program Managers responsible for converting technology and product strategy into executable new product development programs
• Foster strong interdepartmental collaboration to enhance responsive customer service, timely issue resolution, streamline processes, and support shared business goals
• Drive cross-functional alignment between Product Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Service organizations
• Translate roadmap objectives into structured development initiatives
• Manage technical dependencies across concurrent programs
• Identify and mitigate technical risks before they become schedule risks
• Lead technical readiness reviews and milestone assessments
• Establish development metrics and portfolio health indicators
• Ensure program execution remains aligned with intended system architecture and product strategy
• Build and lead a high-performing team and foster a culture of rigorous systems thinking, accountability, and innovation

Job Requirements:

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field 
• 15+ years of experience in battery systems, energy storage, electrification, power systems, or related technologies
• 8+ years leading multidisciplinary technical organizations
• Demonstrated success leading system-level product strategy and roadmap development
• Experience in Model Based System Engineering (MBSE)
• Deep understanding of battery cell technologies, BESS architecture, safety engineering, reliability engineering, and product development processes
• Experience building and managing technical portfolios
• Experience leading Technical Program Management organizations
• Strong understanding of DFM, quality engineering, and manufacturing scale-up 
• Proven ability to recruit, develop, and retain high-performing technical talent

Preferred Experience/Skills

• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field

Key Competencies:

• Strategic and operational leadership
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills
• Planning, organizational and problem-solving skills
• Strategic thinking, strong business acumen and pragmatic decision making
• Creativity and innovation
• Teamwork and collaboration

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Work involves sitting, standing, and lifting up to 10 pounds
• Repetitive typing and computer work for extended periods of time
• Ability to wear PPE on face and body when required
• Manufacturing, warehouse, lab, and office environments
• Domestic and international travel (up to 25%)
• Must be able to maintain a level state of alertness while performing this job

Salary offers will depend on factors that include the location you work from, your level, education, training, specific skills, years of experience and comparison to other employees already in this role.

In addition, the successful candidate for this position will become eligible for a comprehensive set of outstanding benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401k, paid sick time, paid time off for vacation, paid holidays, paid community service days, professional/personal learning program, and applicable state/federal paid family leave.

ZincFive is committed to employing a diverse workforce. As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status. We maintain a safe workplace and perform pre-employment testing. ZincFive is a participant in E-Verify and receives employment authorization of new hires through Social Security and the Department of Homeland Security databases.