Lead Engineer - Separator

About the role

EnerVenue is seeking a technically strong Lead Engineer - Separator to own separator material selection, qualification, and manufacturing integration for its nickel hydroxide cathode / nickel-alloy anode Aqueous Metal Cell (AMC) platform. This is a hands-on technical leadership role at the heart of cell performance, safety, and lifetime - the separator directly governs ionic conductivity, gas crossover, and short-circuit resistance across a 30,000+ cycle design life. The successful candidate will own the separator technical roadmap end-to-end - from material and supplier selection, through wet-out and conductivity optimization, to converting and in-line quality control at the Changzhou facility - working closely with the Head of Electrode Engineering and the Cell Engineering team. This role sits at the intersection of polymer/membrane science, electrochemistry, and manufacturing, and requires someone equally comfortable in a lab characterizing membranes and on a factory floor debugging a slitting or coating line. What you'll do

Separator Engineering & Qualification

• Lead selection, qualification, and continuous improvement of separator materials (nonwoven polyolefin, cellulosic, or ceramic-coated membranes) for EnerVenue's AMC platform

• Define and control separator specifications: thickness, porosity, pore-size distribution, MacMullin number, ionic (area-specific) resistance, and electrolyte wettability

• Optimize separator performance for alkaline electrolyte compatibility, including oxidative and dendrite resistance, gas (H₂/O₂) barrier properties, and long-term chemical stability

• Drive separator contribution to cell-level performance targets: cycle life, rate capability, self-discharge, and internal short-circuit resistance, targeting 30,000+ cycles

• Establish separator characterization protocols: MacMullin number, Gurley air permeability, puncture strength, thermal shrinkage, wettability/contact angle, and SEM/porosimetry

• Own separator-related failure analysis (shorts, dry-out, dendrite penetration) and drive corrective actions with R&D and quality teams

Manufacturing & Supplier Integration (Changzhou, China)

• Support commissioning of separator converting operations at the Changzhou facility - slitting, winding, and inline inspection - from spec to production-qualified output

• Qualify and manage relationships with domestic Chinese separator suppliers and, where applicable, coating/converting equipment vendors

• Establish incoming-material inspection, SPC, and inline quality monitoring for separator stock used in cell assembly

• Work with Manufacturing Engineering to resolve separator-related yield issues during cell assembly ramp (alignment, wet-out time, handling damage)

• Ensure separator sourcing and handling 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 separator materials and membrane science for the AMC platform

• Partner closely with the Head of Electrode Engineering and Cell Engineering team to co-optimize electrode, separator, and electrolyte design as an integrated system

• Collaborate with the Stanford-based R&D team to translate lab-scale separator research into manufacturable, qualified production materials

• Mentor and, as the team scales, help build out a small separator engineering team in Changzhou

• Report to the Head of Electrode Engineering; provide regular updates on separator roadmap, qualification status, and supply risk

Qualifications

Education

• Master's or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field

• Equivalent industry experience (4+ years) with a strong portfolio of separator or membrane product development will be considered in lieu of an advanced degree

Core Technical Experience (Non-Negotiable)

• Hands-on experience developing, qualifying, or manufacturing battery separators (alkaline, NiMH, lead-acid, or lithium-ion nonwoven/microporous membranes)

• Working knowledge of separator characterization: MacMullin number, ionic resistance, Gurley permeability, puncture strength, wettability, and thermal shrinkage

• Understanding of polymer/nonwoven membrane structure-property relationships as they relate to porosity, pore morphology, and electrolyte transport

• Experience with alkaline-electrolyte-compatible materials and oxidative/chemical stability considerations

• Track record of taking a separator or membrane material from lab-scale qualification to high-volume manufacturing

Manufacturing & Operations Experience

• Experience supporting or commissioning separator converting operations (slitting, winding, coating) in an industrial setting

• Familiarity with Chinese manufacturing supply chains and separator/nonwoven material vendors

• Understanding of EHS compliance relevant to separator handling and processing under Chinese regulations

• Experience working cross-functionally with electrode and cell assembly engineering teams

Language & Location

• Professional working proficiency in Mandarin Chinese required (technical documents, supplier negotiations, team coordination)

• Professional proficiency in English required (communication with Silicon Valley HQ, technical reporting)

• Based in or willing to relocate to Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, China

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with nickel-hydrogen or NiMH battery separator systems

• Publications or patents in separator/membrane materials, alkaline electrochemistry, or nonwoven engineering

• Experience with ceramic-coated or composite separator technologies

• Familiarity with water electrolysis (alkaline or PEM) membrane/separator technology

• Experience with DoE (design of experiments) methodologies for membrane/material optimization

• Network within the Chinese separator or nonwoven materials supply chain