Materials Development

Exide Energy Solutions Ltd; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 4,000,000 - 7,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Exide Energy Solutions Ltd. seeks a senior leader to drive the end-to-end lithium battery materials strategy, including localization, lab capability building, and supplier ecosystem development. You will define material roadmaps, manage APQP/PPAP, and align with ESG and cost goals in India.

You will lead technology transfer, IP protection, and scale-up activities, coordinating with procurement, finance, legal, and project teams to deliver high-performance, cost-effective battery materials.

Qualifications

• BE/B.Tech in Materials Science, Electrochemistry, Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 13+ years overall experience in battery materials and cell manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience with lab setup, localization, and scale-up.

Responsibilities

• Own India-focused material localization roadmap and supplier ecosystem.
• Lead APQP, PPAP, and proto/pilot cell validation for localized materials.
• Define material specifications, validation protocols, and acceptance criteria.
• Support technology transfer, IP protection, and NDA frameworks.
• Drive lab development and scale-up for high-performance materials.
• Collaborate with procurement, finance, legal, and project teams.

Skills

Materials strategy leadership

APQP/PPAP experience

Localization & supplier ecosystem

Lab development & capability building

IP protection & technology transfer

Education

BE/B.Tech – Materials Science, Electrochemistry, Chemical Engineering or related

Job description

Exide Energy Solutions Ltd is an advanced energy storage company focused on the design, development, and manufacturing of lithium-based battery cells for electric mobility and stationary energy storage applications. The company is building indigenous cell manufacturing capabilities in Bangalore, India,

With a strong emphasis on technology localization, supply chain resilience, and cost competitiveness, Exide Energy Solutions Ltd is investing in materials R&D, supplier ecosystem development, and gigafactory-scale manufacturing. The organization aims to deliver high-performance, safe, and sustainable battery solutions while reducing import dependency and accelerating India’s transition to clean energy.

Role Purpose:

Lead end-to-end lithium battery materials strategy, including material development, localization, laboratory capability building, supplier ecosystem creation, and scale-up to enable high-performance, cost-effective, and sustainable battery manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities:

India-Focused Material Localization Strategy (Supplier Ecosystem)

Strategic Ownership

• Own and execute India-focused material localization strategy aligned with:
• ACC Battery PLI Scheme
• Make in India
• Cost, supply security, and ESG targets
• Ensure localization milestones are mapped to PLI incentive eligibility timelines.

Work closely with Procurement, Finance, Legal, and Project management teams to:

• Define localized value addition % for cathode, anode, electrolyte, separator, and additives.
• Support PLI documentation, audits, and technical justifications.
• Track localization progress vs committed PLI milestones.

Translate PLI guidelines into actionable material roadmaps.

• Lead APQP, PPAP, and proto/pilot cell validation for localized materials.
• Define sourcing strategies to reduce geopolitical and supply risks.
• Manage IP protection, NDA frameworks, and technology transfer safeguards.
• Lead development and qualification of cathode, anode, electrolyte, binder, and additive materials.
• Define material specifications, acceptance criteria, and validation protocols.

2. Material Localization Strategy & Supplier Ecosystem

• Define and execute material localization roadmap aligned with cost, supply security, and ESG goals.
• Identify local suppliers for active materials, precursors, solvents, binders, salts, and additives.
• Lead technology transfer from global suppliers to local partners.
• Balance localization with performance, reliability, and IP protection.
• Work with procurement and Finance on localized BOM cost reduction and risk mitigation.

3. Laboratory Development & Capability Building

• Establish and expand materials R&D and characterization laboratories.
• Define lab layout, equipment roadmap, and CAPEX planning.
• Build capabilities for:
• Powder synthesis & processing
• Slurry formulation & electrode fabrication
• Coin / pouch / cylindrical/ prismatic cell assembly
• Ensure lab safety, SOPs, calibration, and compliance.
• Drive lab-to-factory knowledge transfer.

4. Cell Performance, Reliability & Failure Analysis

• Link material properties to cell performance, safety, and lifetime.
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA), FMEA, and degradation studies.
• Support improvements in energy density, cycle life, and fast charging.

5. Manufacturing & Scale-Up Support

• Resolve material-related yield and quality issues in coating, calendering, formation, and aging.
• Support GWh-scale ramp-up and continuous improvement.
• Support material change management (ECNs).

6. Technology Roadmap & Innovation

• Own materials technology roadmap (next-gen cathodes, high-silicon, solid-state, sodium-ion).
• Benchmark global leaders and emerging technologies.
• Lead patent filing and IP strategy
• Build and mentor high-performing materials teams.
• Work closely with Process, Cell Design, Quality, EHS, and Project management teams.
• Represent materials function in customer, partner, and management reviews.

Qualifications & Experience:

Education

• BE/B.Tech – Materials Science, Electrochemistry, Chemical Engineering or related field

Experience

• 13+Yrs of overall experience
• 5+Yrs in lithium battery materials and cell manufacturing
• Hands-on experience in lab setup, supplier localization, and scale-up