Head of Anode Development

Job description

About the role EnerVenue is seeking a technically exceptional Head of Anode Development to lead the design, manufacturing process, and industrialization of its nickel alloy anode for the Aqueous Metal Cell (AMC) platform. This is a rare opportunity to build a world-class anode manufacturing operation from the ground up inside one of the most well-funded non-lithium battery companies in the world. The successful candidate will own the full anode lifecycle — from foam substrate selection and anode manufacturing, equipment specification , through catalytic surface optimization, to finished anode qualification — and will establish a new anode manufacturing line at the Changzhou facility. This role sits at the intersection of electrodeposition science, electrocatalysis, and industrial manufacturing, and requires someone equally comfortable in a R&D lab and on factory floor. What you'll do Anode Development & Engineering • Lead the design, development, and optimization of the nickel alloy anode for EnerVenue's Aqueous Metal Cell (AMC) platform. Own the anode manufacturing process end-to-end and requirements for manufacturing equipment • Define and control the metal substrate specification • Drive anode catalytic performance for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). • Develop documentation to define manufacturing process, process control, and equipment specification • Drive anode performance specs for capacity, cycle stability, rate capability, and lifetime, supporting long cycle life with minimal capacity loss • Establish anode characterization protocols: SEM, XRD, EIS, BET, XPS, and cycling performance benchmarks Manufacturing Line Build-Out (Changzhou, China) • Design and commission a new anode manufacturing line at the Changzhou facility, from blank spec to production-qualified output • Select, procure, and qualify manufacturing equipment, peripherals, process control systems, and post-processing infrastructure • Establish process control systems, SPC frameworks, and inline quality monitoring for continuous production • Build and lead a China-based anode engineering and manufacturing team across R&D, process engineering, and production • Work with procurement to qualify domestic Chinese suppliers for metal substrate, raw materials, and other plating consumables • Ensure all manufacturing processes meet relevant environmental, health, and safety standards under China's GB and MEP regulations Technical Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration • Serve as the internal technical authority on anode material, anode process, electrocatalysis, and anode substrate technology • Partner with the Cathode Development and Cell Engineering teams to integrate anode designs into the AMC cell form factor and assembly process • Collaborate with the Stanford-based R&D team to translate lab-scale discoveries into manufacturable anode processes • Establish and manage supplier qualification programs for foam and plating chemical vendors • Report directly to the CTO; provide regular updates to executive leadership and investors on anode roadmap progress and manufacturing ramp milestones Qualifications Education • Ph.D. or Master's degree in Materials Science, Electrochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field • Equivalent industry experience (7+ years) with a strong portfolio of anode/electrode product development and manufacturing will be considered in lieu of an advanced degree Core Technical Experience (Non-Negotiable) • Hands-on expertise in electrochemistry, alloy electrodeposition, including working knowledge of induced electrodepositions • Experience in electrochemical analysis of catalysts in alkaline conditions • Demonstrated expertise in metal foam development and manufacturing • Understanding of porosity, surface area, morphology and electrical conductivity as they relate to anode active material loading • Prior experience developing and manufacturing battery anodes for aqueous alkaline, or metal-hydrogen battery systems • Track record of taking an anode from lab-scale development to high-volume manufacturing Manufacturing & Operations Experience • Experience designing or commissioning an electroplating or anode manufacturing production line in a Chinese industrial setting • Familiarity with Chinese manufacturing supply chains, equipment vendors, and chemical suppliers for battery anode materials • Understanding of EHS compliance for electroplating operations under Chinese regulations (MEP standards, wastewater treatment, heavy metal handling) • Experience managing cross-functional teams in a high-growth manufacturing environment Language & Location • Professional working proficiency in Mandarin Chinese required (reading technical documents, supplier negotiations, team management) • Professional proficiency in English required (communication with Silicon Valley HQ, investor reporting, international publications) • Based in or willing to relocate to Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, China Preferred Qualifications • Direct experience with nickel-hydrogen systems • Publications or patents in electrodeposition, three-dimensional metal substrate fabrication, or electrochemistry • Experience with metal substrates as anode substrate • Familiarity with water electrolysis electrode technology and skills transfer directly • Experience with DoE (design of experiments) methodologies for electroplating bath optimization • Network within the Chinese battery materials supply chain, particularly foam and plating chemical vendors About EnerVenue, Inc. Named one of the world’s Top Greentech Companies by TIME in 2024 and 2025, EnerVenue builds simple, safer, and flexible energy storage solutions for the clean energy revolution. Based on technology proven over decades under the most extreme conditions, EnerVenue offers a differentiated stationary storage solution that improves upon today’s alternatives. Commercialized from research completed at Stanford University and backed by well-funded investors, EnerVenue is redefining the stationary storage market.