Director of Cell Design

Who we are:

Electra is reinventing iron production to tackle the nearly 10% of global carbon dioxide emissions produced from iron and steelmaking. Its patented process uses chemistry and renewable energy to transform a variety of grades of iron ore into environmentally responsible pure iron at scale. By maximizing the value of Earth’s resources and minimizing our environmental footprint and carbon emissions, Electra is forging a green future from the ground up. With a collaborative culture and passion for disrupting the status quo, careers at Electra offer challenge, reward, and the opportunity to bring to market solutions that dramatically improve the health of the planet. 

What you will do: 

As the Director of Cell Design, you will oversee a multidisciplinary team of engineers focused on electrochemical cells and stack development and design clean electrolytic iron. This key leadership role requires the ability to be both an active contributor and leader with deep technical expertise and strong leadership skills. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Manage the team responsible for the design and continuous improvement of novel electrochemical cells and stacks  
• Collaborate cross-functionally with other engineering and research teams to ensure seamless integration of electrochemical cells and stacks into larger process systems . 
• Drive the strategic vision for the design engineering team, ensuring alignment with the company’s product and technology roadmaps 
• Participate with senior management to establish strategic plans with objectives 
• Effectively cascade functional strategy and contributes to the development of organizational policies 
• Translate business segment strategy into program plans and drive execution 
• Oversee technical decision-making and ensure that engineering solutions are robust, manufacturable, and cost-effective  
• Drive the troubleshooting and resolution of technical challenges related to electrochemical systems, including failure modes, performance degradation, and integration issues  
• Set clear goals, delegate tasks, and manage team performance to ensure on-time project delivery  
• Communicate with highly technical team members and translate challenges and solutions to executive staff 
• Work closely with executive leadership to track progress, identify risks, and ensure timely project execution  
• Promote a culture of safety within the department 
• Foster an inclusive and collaborative team culture that values diverse perspectives and backgrounds 

What we need you to bring to the team (Requirements):  

• BS degree in systems engineering, chemical engineering, or related discipline and  12+ years of industry experience working within engineering or manufacturing environments (excludes internships, co-ops, and other school projects). Or 8+ years of industry experience working within engineering and manufacturing environments with a master’s degree, or 5+ years of industry experience working within engineering or manufacturing environments with a PhD.   
• 5+ years of experience in a leadership role managing engineering teams  
• Experience working in a fast-paced, startup environment  
• Ability to understand and communicate electrochemical cell design, testing, and performance characterization 
• Experience working on complex issues where problems are not clearly defined and where fundamental principles do not fully apply 
• Participates in corporate development of methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for programs, projects and people 
• Ensures budgets and schedules meet company requirements 
• Experience making decisions that have a long-term impact on the overall success of the design 
• Skilled at leading team(s) to develop new methods and solve complex matters  

What we want you to bring to the team (Preferred):  

• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering or related 
• 3+ years experience in electrochemical engineering, electrowinning,