Staff Product Development Engineer

Chemstars; United States; On-site; USD 175,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan

Flexible paid time off

Job summary

A leading climate technology firm in the United States seeks a Staff Product Development Engineer to design and scale electrochemical systems. The role includes managing product lifecycle and collaborating with cross-functional teams. Ideal candidates will have a Mechanical Engineering degree and 10+ years in hardware development. The compensation is between $175,000 - $195,000, with comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and flexible paid time off.

Qualifications

• 10+ years developing complex hardware products.
• Direct experience with polymer-based fluid and gas distribution products.
• Excellent project management and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Own critical products through the full product development lifecycle.
• Lead concept generation and engineering analysis.
• Develop and manage suppliers for various components.

Skills

Mechanical design

Fluid mechanics

CAD proficiency

Project management

Supplier development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Onshape

Job description

Who We Are

Aepnus Technology is a climate technology company based in Oakland, California, reinventing how essential industrial chemicals are produced. We are transforming the chlor‑alkali industry with a novel electrochemical process that converts industrial salt and sulfate waste into high‑purity commodities such as caustic soda and sulfuric acid, while dramatically reducing fossil fuel use and energy demand.

Backed by $10.6M from leading climate investors including Lowercarbon Capital, Voyager Ventures, and Clean Energy Ventures, Aepnus is entering a pivotal execution phase in 2026 as we scale toward commercial deployment. Our mission is to enable clean, local, and resilient chemical manufacturing across North America, and we are building a world‑class team to deliver meaningful climate and economic impact.

What You’ll Do

As our Staff Product Development Engineer, you'll play a critical part in designing, testing, and scaling the electrochemical hardware, assemblies, and supporting systems that power our cutting‑edge salt splitting electrolyzer technology. We're looking for exceptional talent with deep expertise in taking complex hardware products from concept through validation, supplier industrialization, and production launch.

As part of our small and agile team, you'll have the opportunity to make a real impact. You'll report directly to our Head of Product Development and regularly collaborate with our R&D, systems, test, operations, and manufacturing partners.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own critical products, assemblies, and components end‑to‑end through the full product development lifecycle, from requirements definition and architecture through detailed design, verification, supplier qualification, pilot builds, and production release
• Serve as the technical design owner for electrochemical cell, stack, balance‑of‑plant, structural, and test hardware, making sound tradeoffs across performance, cost, manufacturability, reliability, and schedule
• Translate system‑ and product‑level requirements into robust mechanical designs, interfaces, specifications, drawings, and validation plans
• Lead concept generation, down‑selection, and engineering analysis using first‑principles calculations, CAD, tolerance analysis, FEA, CFD, and rapid prototyping as appropriate.
• Design, build, and commission fixtures, tooling, and test equipment to accelerate characterization, design verification, and design validation.
• Plan and execute structured development programs including prototype builds, DOE, failure analysis, root cause investigations, and data‑driven design iteration.
• Drive DFM, DFA, serviceability, and cost‑down efforts in close partnership with internal stakeholders and external manufacturing partners.
• Develop and manage suppliers for machined, molded, formed, welded, coated, and assembled components, including capability assessment, process selection, qualification planning, and technical problem solving at supplier sites.
• Own engineering documentation required for release and scale‑up, including BOMs, drawings with GD&T, specifications, test protocols, ECNs/ECOs, design reviews, risk registers, and manufacturing work instructions.
• Partner cross‑functionally with electrochemistry, systems, electrical, controls, test, and operations teams to integrate hardware into reliable product architectures and development roadmaps.
• Identify technical and program risks early, define mitigation plans, and drive closure with urgency in a fast‑paced startup environment.
• Mentor junior engineers and raise the bar on design rigor, documentation quality, and execution discipline across the product development organization.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent industry experience)
• Industry Experience: 10+ years developing complex hardware products, capital equipment, electrochemical systems, industrial equipment, energy storage systems, or similarly demanding electromechanical products
• Direct experience selecting and developing polymer‑based components for fluid and gas distribution products, including understanding of polymer grades, raw material form factors, and manufacturing processes such as cutting, forming, welding, extrusion, and injection molding
• Demonstrated success owning hardware from early requirements through production implementation, including supplier development and design transfer into manufacturing
• Deep mechanical design and fluid mechanics fundamentals with strong proficiency in CAD and PDM/PLM systems; Onshape experience strongly preferred
• Experience producing high‑quality engineering documentation including specifications, test plans, design reviews, fabrication drawings, and GD&T for critical components and assemblies
• Hands‑on experience with prototyping and fabrication methods such as machining, sheet metal, forming, welding, adhesives/sealants, and assembly of mechanical systems
• Strong background in verification and validation, including test method development, fixturing, instrumentation, statistical interpretation of results, and root‑cause‑based design iteration
• Experience working directly with suppliers and contract manufacturers on process development, DFM, qualification, first article review, non‑conformance resolution, and corrective actions
• Demonstrated ability to design for reliability and safety in harsh environments, including chemically aggressive, pressurized, electrically active, or thermally challenging operating conditions
• Excellent project management and communication skills, with the ability to drive cross‑functional decisions and keep technical workstreams on schedule
• Startup or other fast‑paced hardware development experience is strongly preferred

Compensation & Benefits

• $175,000 - $195,000 salary range, plus equity, commensurate with experience
• Aepnus pays 100% of medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees, 50% for dependents
• 401(k) plan and additional retirement benefits
• Flexible paid time off for wellness, vacation, and rest, plus 10 paid holidays per year
• Two weeks off in late December for an annual Winter Break
• 80 / 20 in office work environment, with up to one full remote day weekly
• Monthly team builds and an annual offsite retreat

Why Join Aepnus?

Aepnus brings together driven, curious individuals committed to rethinking how essential industrial chemicals are made. You will have the opportunity to work closely with company leadership to advance breakthrough technologies from development to market, while growing your role and influence as the company scales. The environment is dynamic and hands‑on, offering constant opportunities to learn, lead, and make a real difference. Our culture is built around collaboration, ambition, and a shared belief that deep technical innovation can create meaningful change.

Aepnus is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our company. Aepnus prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.