Director, Engineering – New Energy Systems

Energy Vault; Westlake Village (CA); On-site; USD 177,000 - 283,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus plan

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

401K employer matching

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans

Flexible Spending Account

Company-paid life insurance

8-weeks paternity leave

Generous holiday allowance

Flexible time off plus sick leave

Reimbursement for home office equipment

Job summary

Energy Vault is looking for a Director of Engineering to lead the development of innovative New Energy Systems, focusing on hydrogen technologies such as electrolysis and fuel cells. This role involves evaluating emerging technologies, managing project engineering teams, and driving product development from concept to deployment.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in project management, a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, and a passion for sustainability. This position offers a competitive salary range of $177,000 to $283,000 annually.

Qualifications

• 15 years of experience in engineering roles.
• 10+ years managing project engineering for hazardous facilities.
• 5+ years in developing innovative energy solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering development of New Energy Systems.
• Drive the New Energy Systems roadmap.
• Evaluate emerging generation technologies.
• Develop stage-gate processes for New Energy Systems.
• Define technical criteria and design system architecture.
• Support project development and execution.
• Ensure compliance with codes and standards.
• Lead development of product documentation.
• Collaborate with supply chain and manufacturing teams.
• Support funding and partnerships.
• Provide technical support to deployments.
• Foster a technical excellence culture.

Skills

Project management

Technical performance evaluation

Cross-functional team management

Hydrogen systems knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, chemical, or electrical engineering

Job description

Your Impact: Director, Engineering - New Energy Systems

• Lead engineering development of New Energy Systems with a particular focus on hydrogen‑based systems, including: electrolysis (PEM, alkaline, or SOEC); hydrogen storage (compressed gas, liquid hydrogen, or novel storage media); fuel cell (PEM, SOFC, or hybrid configurations); linear generators, nuclear, and thermal generators; balance‑of‑plant (compression, purification, thermal management, controls).
• Drive the New Energy Systems roadmap, guiding technology from concept through demonstration and commercial deployment.
• Evaluate emerging generation technologies and products for integration into the company’s solution portfolio, considering: technical performance and degradation characteristics; safety and intrinsic hazards; supply chain readiness and scalability; levelized cost of energy (LCOE).
• Develop and lead stage‑gate processes for New Energy Systems, advancing technologies and products from TRL 4–8 and MRL 4–8.
• Define technical criteria and lead system architecture design, including integration with renewable generation (solar, wind); grid interconnection and microgrids; energy management systems (EMS) and SCADA.
• Support project development and execution, including conceptual and detailed design; equipment specification and vendor selection; integration with EPC and construction teams.
• Ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards.
• Lead development of product documentation, including design basis and system specifications; installation and commissioning procedures; operations & maintenance manuals.
• Collaborate with supply chain and manufacturing teams to industrialize hydrogen and fuel cell systems.
• Support funding and partnerships, including grants (DOE, CEC); strategic partnerships; and pilot projects.
• Provide technical support to commercial deployments to ensure performance, reliability, and continuous improvement.
• Foster a culture of technical excellence, innovation, accountability, and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.

Your Mission

• Lead engineering development of New Energy Systems with particular focus on hydrogen‑based systems, including:
  • Electrolysis (PEM, alkaline, or SOEC)
  • Hydrogen storage (compressed gas, liquid hydrogen, or novel storage media)
  • Fuel cell (PEM, SOFC, or hybrid configurations), linear generators, nuclear, and thermal generators
  • Balance‑of‑plant (compression, purification, thermal management, controls)
• Drive the New Energy Systems roadmap, guiding technology from concept through demonstration and commercial deployment.
• Evaluate emerging generation technologies and products for integration into the company’s solution portfolio, including:
  • Technical performance and degradation characteristics
  • Safety and intrinsic hazards
  • Supply chain readiness and scalability
  • Levelized cost of energy (LCOE)
• Develop and lead stage‑gate processes for New Energy Systems, advancing technologies and products from TRL 4–8 and MRL 4–8.
• Define technical criteria and lead system architecture design, including integration with:
  • Renewable generation (solar, wind)
  • Grid interconnection and microgrids
  • Energy management systems (EMS) and SCADA
• Support project development and execution, including:
  • Conceptual and detailed design
  • Equipment specification and vendor selection
  • Integration with EPC and construction teams
• Ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards.
• Lead development of product documentation, including:
  • Design basis and system specifications
  • Installation and commissioning procedures
  • Operations & maintenance manuals
• Collaborate with supply chain and manufacturing teams to industrialize hydrogen and fuel cell systems.
• Support funding and partnerships, including grants (DOE, CEC); strategic partnerships; and pilot projects.
• Provide technical support to commercial deployments to ensure performance, reliability, and continuous improvement.
• Foster a culture of technical excellence, innovation, accountability, and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.

Your Background

• 15 years or equivalent experience with a bachelor's degree in mechanical, chemical, or electrical engineering (or related engineering discipline).
• 10+ years of experience in managing project engineering and/or delivery of cross‑functional teams for hazardous material facilities.
• 5+ years of experience in teams developing complex and innovative energy solutions.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally, up to 33%.
• Comfortable thriving in fast‑paced, rapid growth environments.
• A passion for sustainability, our mission, and our vision is a bonus.
• Must successfully pass a pre‑employment background check.
• Energy Vault participates in E‑Verify.

Benefits

• Annual bonus plan.
• Restricted Stock Units (RSUs).
• 401K employer matching.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans for employees and family.
• Flexible Spending Account.
• Company‑paid life insurance, short‑ and long‑term disability insurance.
• 8‑weeks for paternity leave.
• Generous holiday allowance.
• Flexible time off plus sick leave.
• Reimbursement for home office equipment, phone, and internet expenses.

$177,000 - $283,000 a year. The range, $177,000 to $283,000, reflects a total compensation package for this position across all U.S. locations.

At Energy Vault we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants. We believe inclusion creates opportunity for collaborative excellence through diversity of thought. We invite individuals of all genders, races, identities, ethnicities, sexual orientations, national origins, abilities, protected veteran status, religions, educational and socioeconomic backgrounds to explore employment with our organization.