South 8 - Head Of Engineering

ABOUT SOUTH 8 TECHNOLOGIES

South 8 Technologies, Inc. is a fast-growing and well-funded group backed by leading global organizations. We have developed a breakthrough new Liquefied Gas Electrolyte chemistry for next-generation lithium batteries. Our patented technology enables a substantial increase in energy, improved safety, and an exceptionally wide operating temperature. Leveraging conventional materials and manufacturing, South 8 Technologies offers a unique solution for a variety of e-mobility, energy storage, and industrial applications.

South 8 Technologies, Inc. was founded in 2015 and spun out of UC San Diego's Jacobs School of Engineering. We are a diverse team, which values integrity and hard work in an environment that encourages creative thinking, collaboration, and honest feedback. Become a critical member of our team and grow alongside us as we transform the energy landscape.

JOB SUMMARY

In this role, you will drive product strategy and lead a diverse team of engineers focused on product development of South 8's revolutionary battery cells and electrolytes. You will solve complex performance, design, and operational issues to improve manufacturing processes for both cells and electrolytes. Additionally, you will work with partners to design and fabricate equipment capable of electrolyte scale up and production. This role will report to the CEO.

DESCRIPTION

Become a critical member of our fast-growing team working to develop a breakthrough battery technology to enable a greener future. In this position, you will be a key part of our core team, at the forefront of taking next-generation chemistries and packaging them into advanced battery cells.

We are looking for an experienced, creative, and hands-on Head of Engineering to join our growing team in the Bay Park area of San Diego, CA. This position will take both internal and external customer product requirements and drive development of cell, electrolyte, and equipment hardware and control systems. The candidate will work closely with customers and business development teams to understand customer requirements, define product requirements, and ensure product timelines and goals are met.

The candidate may also negotiate strategic customer partnerships to accelerate South 8's path to market. Team and project management skills are a must while taking a hands-on lead on certain projects. Leading and promoting the use and completion of DFMEAs, project organization, scheduling and planning tools are required. This is a dynamic work environment involving several parallel projects with various timelines.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Build and continuously develop a strong, motivated engineering team guided by data-driven technical direction.
• Cultivate a culture of expert utilization of root cause analysis, FMEA, and data analytics.
• Provide regular updates through detailed Gantt charts and/or timelines and project presentation updates. Clear communication with company stakeholders is key.
• Collaborate with leadership team to develop and implement a product strategy to support the company's technology adoption within the marketplace.
• Collaborate on the development, strategy, and achievement, of company business and technical roadmaps.
• Design and execute strategy to ensure battery cell, electrolyte, and manufacturing system products meet customer and partner requirements.
• Work closely with South 8's commercial team towards the growth of customer, partner, and strategic investor relationships.
• Work closely with the management team to lay out annual and longer-term budgetary requirements for continued product development and manufacturing.
• Contribute to technical writing of grants, patents, and reports.
• Work independently and efficiently to reach goals within target timelines.
• Other tasks deemed necessary by the company.

REQUIREMENTS

• 15+ years of industry experience with 5+ years of management experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work with customers and partners to define product requirements.
• Proven track record of bringing complex hardware systems to market.
• Demonstrated engineering team and project management skills taking a technology from idea and benchtop testing/prototyping, to product development and manufacturing deployment
• Experience implementing industry standard methodologies such as APQP, and demonstrated expertise in stage gate product development
• Experience communicating and presenting to senior-level stakeholders, both inside and outside the company.
• Thorough knowledge of li-ion battery cell construction, manufacturing, and hardware requirements.
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and succeed in an environment with competing demands.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• An aptitude for learning new things and a keen eye for improving processes.
• Ability to lift 35 lbs.

The starting salary range for this role is $220,000 - $250,000 annually. This position is eligible for an annual performance-based bonus. The actual pay depends on multiple individualized factors, including education, job-related knowledge, experience, and skills, which will be assessed during the interview process. The comprehensive compensation package for this position may also include other elements, such as health benefits, 401k, and company stock options.