Mechanical Cell Engineer

Voya Energy; Hayward (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

100% employer paid medical, dental, và

401(k) plan

Job summary

Voya Energy in Hayward, CA is seeking a lead engineer to design, build, and validate high-power metal-air fuel cells for next‑gen generators. You will work with material scientists to optimize cathode, anode, membrane, and electrolyte architectures, and own mechanical CAD for stack components.

You’ll prototype bench-scale flow cells, iterate hardware like bipolar plates and flow fields, and collaborate with product teams to scale innovations from lab to pilot and production.

Qualifications

• Track record of developing novel electrochemical cell architectures and building the physical stack hardware.
• Proficiency in CAD-based mechanical design and DFM; comfortable moving from drawing to prototype to test stand yourself.
• Mechanical background with exposure to electrochemistry preferred.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams, preferably for system or device development.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and validate a high-power metal-air fuel cell for Voya’s generator.
• Work with material scientists to select and optimize cathode, anode, membrane/separator, and electrolyte materials as well as form-factor.
• Develop and iterate novel current collector, separator/membrane, and electrode architectures to improve cell power, efficiency, and durability.
• Develop manufacturing procedures for novel architectures.
• Work with subscale and stack teams to identify scale-up limitations and implement innovative solutions.
• Work with subscale and stack teams to develop operational strategies that improve cell power, efficiency, and durability.
• Rapidly prototype bench-scale electrochemical flow cells to test new chemistries, architectures, materials, and stack configurations before committing to pilot-scale builds.
• Design and iterate cell & stack hardware, including bipolar plates, flow fields, manifolds, end plates, gaskets, and compression/clamping systems to improve cell power, efficiency, and durability.
• Own mechanical design and tolerancing of cell and stack components in CAD (SolidWorks or equivalent).
• Work with Voya's product development team to scale and demonstrate cells from bench to pilot and production-intent systems.

Skills

Electrochemical cell design

CAD-based mechanical design

DFM

Cross-functional collaboration

Startup mindset

Materials selection

Prototyping hardware

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Voya Energy is commercializing a groundbreaking metal-based fuel to rapidly deploy reliable, clean, affordable electricity anywhere on Earth. Our breakthrough technology allows us to convert abundant, high-energy, recycled metals into a powerful, safe, durable fuel. We are also creating a foundational new category of energy generation devices, delivering fast access to power, free from the limitations of the grid. We are assembling a highly-experienced team of visionary founders, tenacious researchers, multi-disciplinary first principles engineers, battle-tested operators and world-class investors to deliver on Voya's ambitious mission. Join us in fueling our electric future.

Position Summary:

We’re looking for scientists and engineers who are passionate about research, innovation, and entrepreneurship to help develop and scale the cell architecture for Voya’s proprietary metal-air fuel cell. The successful candidate will take a leading role in setting the technical direction of the company.

Responsibilities:

• Design, build, and validate a high-power metal-air fuel cell for Voya’s generator.
• Work with material scientists to select and optimize cathode, anode, membrane/separator, and electrolyte materials as well as form‑factor.
• Develop and iterate novel current collector, separator/membrane, and electrode architectures to improve cell power, efficiency, and durability.
• Develop manufacturing procedures for novel architectures.
• Work with subscale and stack teams to identify scaleup limitations and implement innovative solutions.
• Work with subscale and stack teams to develop operational strategies that improve cell power, efficiency, and durability.
• Rapidly prototype bench‑scale electrochemical flow cells to test new chemistries, architectures, materials, and stack configurations before committing to pilot‑scale builds.
• Design and iterate cell & stack hardware, including bipolar plates, flow fields, manifolds, end plates, gaskets, and compression/clamping systems to improve cell power, efficiency, and durability.
• Own mechanical design and tolerancing of cell and stack components in CAD (SolidWorks or equivalent).
• Work with Voya's product development team to scale and demonstrate cells from bench to pilot and production‑intent systems.

Qualifications:

• Track record of developing novel electrochemical cell architectures, with hands‑on experience building the physical stack hardware for flow‑based systems (e.g. fuel cells, flow batteries, electrolyzers), specifically bipolar plates, flow fields, manifolds, gasket/sealing systems, and compression hardware.
• Proficiency in CAD‑based mechanical design and DFM; comfortable moving from drawing to prototype to test stand yourself, not just handing off to a mechanical team.
• Mechanical background with exposure to electrochemistry preferred.
• Experience working with cross‑functional teams, preferably for system or device development.
• Ability to operate in a fast‑paced, start‑up environment.
• Results‑oriented with a strong sense of urgency.

Location:

Hayward, CA. Full‑time on‑site.

What we offer:

• Competitive salary and equity compensation commensurate with experience
• Unlimited PTO
• 100% employer paid medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) plan