R&D Manager - Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells (SOEC)

Overview

Leading Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) development and scale-up.

About Us

At Kerionics, we’re building revolutionary green hydrogen technology to help decarbonize energy-intensive industries where fossil fuel replacement remains toughest.

We’re a growing multicultural team of 20+ people, united by the same purpose: making technology work for the planet. Beyond innovation, we’re creating a workplace built on trust, radical honesty, curiosity and shared responsibility.

We believe in working safely, learning from mistakes, and celebrating wins together — whether it’s a breakthrough in the lab or a Friday team lunch.

The role

We’re looking for a visionary and collaborative R&D Manager to lead the development and industrialization of our Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEAs) — a critical component in our Solid Oxide Electrolyser stacks. This is a unique opportunity to create and scale a core technology, guiding both technical design and engineering strategy while building and empowering a multidisciplinary team.

We’re Especially Interested In Leaders Who

• Bring diverse perspectives and inclusive leadership.
• Mentor and empower others.
• Thrive in a mission-driven, collaborative environment.
• Are excited to drive sustainable impact at industrial scale.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the design, scale-up and industrialization of MEAs with focus on electrochemical efficiency, durability and manufacturing effectiveness.
• Empower and mentor a cross-functional, high-performing team, fostering inclusion, trust and continuous learning.
• Ensure data-driven, scientifically validated decisions guide the development process.
• Collaborate with internal teams (Stack, BOP, Testing) and external partners to align on shared goals.
• Manage project timelines, resources and reporting with transparency and accountability.
• Contribute to recruitment and grant proposals efforts, helping shape the future of the team.

How We Work

This is a 100% on-site role at our facilities in Parque Tecnológico de Paterna (Valencia), where you’ll enjoy a collaborative environment with cutting-edge technology at your fingertips.

We start early — from 7:30, so you’ll have your afternoons free to enjoy your hobbies, sports or quality time with friends and family. We truly believe a balanced life makes us better at what we do.

What We Offer

• Up to €55K gross annual salary.
• 22 days of vacation + extra rest days at Christmas.
• The opportunity to work side by side with passionate people who truly care about building solutions for a greener future.
• A collaborative, multicultural environment where mistakes are part of learning and feedback helps us all improve.
• A chance to make a real impact on the future of clean energy.
• A supportive, inclusive environment.
• Opportunities for professional growth, leadership development, and innovation.
• A team that values diverse perspectives and collaborative problem-solving.

What we’re looking for

• Based in (or willing to relocate to) Valencia within 8 weeks.
• Valid work permit for Spain.
• Advanced degree (preferably PhD) in Chemistry, Materials Science or related, with strong expertise in electrochemistry.
• 3+ years leading engineering teams or cross-functional projects.
• 1+ year in hydrogen, fuel cell, or electrolyser technology development.
• Experience with:
• Electrochemical methods (Polarisation Measurements, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy...).
• Analytical methods (Scanning Electron Microscopy).
• Manufacturing processes (tape casting, screen printing, high-temp sintering).
• Ceramic materials formulation and processing.
• Strong communication skills in English & Spanish.
• Inclusive leadership style, with mentorship and collaboration at the core.

Most importantly: you’re passionate about sustainability and innovation, and motivated to build a critical function that will help decarbonize entire industries.

How Will The Selection Process Look

• A first chat with our People & Culture team to get to know each other.
• A conversation with our CTO to dive deeper into your fit for the role and team.
• A meeting with our CEO to dive into your vision, ambitions and how they align with Kerionics’ mission and long-term strategy.
• And finally, if everything clicks, we’ll make you an offer — usually within three weeks from our first contact.

Ready to shape the future of green hydrogen?

Apply now and join us in building technology that matters.