Head of Anode Development

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