Head of Engineering

Who We Are

Lithium is the wonder metal that sits at the heart of the global shift to EVs. Although EV demand is skyrocketing, global lithium supply cannot keep up using traditional extraction methods. The only way the industry will be able to scale lithium supplies by 10 times is by efficiently extracting the element from brine deposits, which contain about three quarters of all known lithium reserves.

Lithios is a technology company based in Medford, MA, commercializing a breakthrough electrochemical process called Advanced Lithium Extraction (ALE). ALE uses renewable electricity to make lithium cheaply, safely, and with a lower carbon footprint. Moreover, ALE is more versatile than traditional extraction methods and can unlock huge untapped lithium resources in the US and globally, alleviating a major bottleneck in the global transition to EVs.

We are building a diverse and collaborative company. Our employees put team and mission first, build with humility and compassion, and strive to make the world a better place. We are a high-growth startup backed by world-leading organizations and investors. At Lithios, we wake up every day to do the most fulfilling, impactful work of our lives. Come change the world with us

Position Overview

Lithios seeks a Head of Engineering who will be responsible for strategic leadership over a wide range of the company's engineering needs to deliver solutions in the following areas:

• guiding and championing the entire engineering lifecycle of our electrochemical stacks: specification, design, development, testing, and sustaining of our ALE technology and related balance-of-stack systems;
• growing and leading a best-in-class engineering team by embodying excellence and nurturing performance and development, while setting standards for quality, testing, documentation, and reporting;
• establishing and developing new relationships, as well as advancing existing relationships, with vendors, suppliers, manufacturing partners, and EPC(M)s; and
• partnering with senior management in strategic, operational, and financial planning to ensure timely and cost-effective execution of Lithios's business plan.

This full-time role is in person at Lithios's office in Medford. The Head of Engineering will report to the CEO and will work closely with the rest of the leadership team at Lithios.

Candidate Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemical, mechanical, electrical engineering or similar field, with 15+ years of experience in a relevant engineering or manufacturing industry. A graduate degree in engineering or similar discipline is a plus.
• 8+ years of successful engineering management and team leadership experience in a relevant industry. Experience in project, program, or product management is a plus.
• Professional or academic experience with lithium-ion batteries, flow batteries, electrolyzers, fuel cells, or similar electrochemical systems is required. Knowledge of adjacent electrochemical processes (e.g., electrodialysis, electrodeionization, electrodeposition) or industrial chemical processes is strongly preferred.
• Experience in designing and releasing new products, designing and building new manufacturing lines, or installing and commissioning new chemical processes, from concept to production is required.
• Industry experience in organizing, writing, and leading large Federal grant proposals is a strongly preferred.
• Strong background in transport phenomena, thermodynamics, and electrochemical engineering or related engineering disciplines such as mechanical design, systems engineering, and process engineering.
• Demonstrated track record of recruiting exceptional talent and managing, mentoring, and motivating high-performing engineering teams.
• Ability to prioritize several diverse projects while constantly communicating results and maintaining alignment with the leadership team.
• Ability to effectively interface with vendors, suppliers, manufacturing partners, and EPC(M)s.  Knowledge of high-volume manufacturing methods and logistics is a plus.  
• The desire to be in a dynamic startup environment with a focus on critical thinking to find impactful solutions to difficult challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the design, development, implementation, and analysis of Lithios's ALE systems, with a focus on the creation of key design requirements and ensuring that the design output accurately reflects the design basis.
• Build high-functioning interfaces between the engineering group and the rest of the organization, including upstream partners like R&D and corporate planning, and downstream partners like supply chain, production, project management, and operations.
• Implement the appropriate level of engineering process, rigor, and cross-functional review within the organization, with emphasis on design for performance, reliability, and manufacture.
• Develop engineering roadmaps and plans that align with corporate strategies and business goals, with an understanding of the delivery tradeoffs in terms of timeline, budget, feasibility, and manufacturability.
• Deliver projects on time, while meeting internal and partner requirements including cost, performance, quality, and reliability targets.
• Review work and projects for technical accuracy while identifying opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our processes.
• Carry out design reviews, develop comprehensive design documentation, and present engineering strategies to the leadership team and key stakeholders.
•  Communicate technical challenges and results across the organization and externally to advance technology development.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to less experienced team members, fostering a culture of learning and expertise development.
• Support the leadership team in pursuing small business grants and loans, which may include engagement with external stakeholders in the Federal and state governments, industry, and academia.

Compensation and Benefits

•  Competitive salary.
• Equity in the company.
• A 401(k) plan with employer matching.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance are 100% covered.
• Commuter benefits and public transportation expenses are 100% covered.
• 20 days of paid time off and 10 days of paid sick time off, in addition to all federal holidays and all days between Christmas and New Year's Day.
• Eight weeks of paid parental leave, with the option to extend for an additional four weeks of unpaid leave.
• Flexible bereavement leave policy, including time off for the loss of a pet.
• Coverage of up to $5,000 in eligible moving expenses.*
• Company-supported opportunities in career development as well as the opportunity to be a leader in a rapidly growing organization.
• A fun, diverse, and talented team focused on making the biggest impact possible on the lithium industry.

*Eligible moving expenses include moving household goods and personal effects, employee travel and lodging, packing/unpacking services.

Closing Statement

Lithios is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We are building a team of individuals and creating an environment where all backgrounds and experiences are valued. We credit our success to the diverse perspectives our team members bring and do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, nationality, color, sexual orientation, ancestry, religion, gender identity, age, marital status, disability status, or Veteran status.

We know the right candidate may not meet all the criteria listed in this job description. If you believe you are a great candidate for this role and possess relevant skills that are not listed above, please reach out and tell us why you are a good fit

To Apply

To apply, please share:

1. Your resume.
2. A brief note describing why you are interested in this position and what you would bring to the role.

Come help us extract lithium sustainably to unlock an electric future for the world

---