Innovation Manager

Ion Storage Systems; Beltsville (MD); On-site; USD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Stock options

Company holidays

401k with match

PTO 17 days + tenure-based increase

Wellness allowance

Job summary

Ion Storage Systems, based in Beltsville, MD, is seeking an Innovation Manager to help steer corporate strategy, identify funding opportunities, and protect intellectual property. The role requires strong background in chemical/materials engineering and 2–4+ years of industry experience, with leadership over external partner engagements.

The successful candidate will draft and negotiate partner agreements, lead patent related activities, and coordinate with leadership and legal teams to advance

Qualifications

• Background in electrochemistry and materials systems.
• Experience presenting data in graphs, verbally, or in writing.
• Manufacturing experience with batteries desirable.
• Experience with contract negotiation or IP management desirable.

Responsibilities

• Guide executive strategy by providing technical and commercial insights.
• Perform technical and financial modeling for development decisions.
• Develop high level work plans for resource estimation and timelines.
• Coordinate and lead interactions with potential partners for future tech integration.
• Draft, negotiate, and manage partner agreements with leadership and outside counsel.
• Lead proposal drafting, compliance, and reporting for federal funding programs.
• Identify inventions with technical teams and assist patent filings and export controls.
• Manage the patent portfolio including prosecution and foreign filings.
• Conduct competitive analyses and tech scouting to guide IP strategy.
• Develop company culture through IP protection policies and trainings.

Skills

Electrochemistry

Materials systems

Data presentation

Communication

Project management

Team cooperation

Time management

IP awareness

Education

B.S./M.S. in Materials Science or related field

Job description

• 12500 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA

ION Storage Systems offers solid-state battery solutions that prioritize performance, safety, and durability. Focusing on a variety of portable and stationary energy storage applications, ION's patented, three-dimensional ceramics design offers a sustainable approach to next-generation energy storage. Built on a scalable, modular ceramic structure, ION's batteries are ready to meet the demands of an increasingly electrified world. We are backed by leading venture capital firms including Alsop Louie Partners, Clear Creek Investments, VoLo Earth Ventures, and Toyota Ventures.

We offer an inclusive environment with opportunities for growth, and we believe that a thriving workspace leads to a thriving company. We hope you will contact us to learn more and to be a part of our diverse, collaborative team!

We are looking to add a full-time Innovation Manager to our team in Beltsville, MD. This position reports to the CEO and supports key company functions including driving corporate strategy, leading funding opportunity discovery/applications, protecting company intellectual property, and managing high-priority external partner engagements. The ideal candidate has a background in chemical or materials engineering and science and 2-4+ years of industry experience.

Responsibilities:

• Guide executive strategy by providing a blend of technical and commercial knowledge.
• Complete technical and financial modeling to inform future development decisions.
• Develop high level work plans to overcome technical gaps for rough estimation of project resource dedication and timelines.
• Coordinate and lead interactions with potential partners for future technology integration.
• Draft, negotiate, and manage partner agreements in coordination with leadership and outside counsel.
• Lead proposal drafting, compliance, and reporting for federal funding programs.
• Work closely with technical teams and attorneys to identify inventions and assist in the filing of patent applications and export control documents.
• Manage the patent portfolio, including prosecution, maintenance, and foreign filing decisions with outside counsel.
• Complete regular competitive analyses and technology scouting by following leads to gather information driving technology and IP strategy.
• Develop company culture by constructing policies, procedures and trainings around protection of IP.

Required Experience:

• B.S or M.S in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or related field.
• Demonstrated instances of technical project/program management.
• Experience presenting data, either graphically, verbally, or through writing.
• Manufacturing experience with batteries desirable.
• Experience with contract negotiation or IP management desirable.

Required Skills:

• Strong understanding of electrochemistry and chemical/materials systems.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to relate complex technical concepts clearly and concisely.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Detail-oriented with strong time management skills.
• Ability to learn quickly, perform research as needed, and complete ownership of areas of responsibility.
• High degree of integrity including ability to successfully handle sensitive or confidential information.
• Low-ego, team-motivation with collaboration skills across the organization

Department:

N/A

Salary Range:

$95,000 - $120,000

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer the following company benefits:

• Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance
• Stock options in an early-stage company
• Company and floating holidays
• 17 days of PTO to start, with increase upon tenure
• 401k plan with a 4% company match beginning after first paycheck
• Wellness allowance of $1k annually

Company Description

Ion Storage Systems Inc., located in Beltsville, MD, is a rapidly growing company commercializing its breakthrough lithium metal battery technology based on discoveries made at the University of Maryland. The company is committed to developing products that will impact everyday life on a global scale. Our technology improves product performance and safety in a variety of applications including defense and aerospace, consumer electronics, electrified transportation, and renewable energy storage. Our team is made up of innovative, driven & creative individuals who are passionate about their work. The company offers an inclusive environment, growth opportunities and encourages work/life balance.

To all recruitment agencies: Ion Storage Systems, Inc. will not accept agency resumes for this role. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs email, or to any Ion Storage Systems employees or any other company email address. Ion Storage Systems is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

Ion Storage Systems, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, ancestry, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or Veteran status.

*Eligibility to work in the United States is required prior to starting.