Business Development Associate

Licube Inc. is a deep-tech startup pioneering advanced lithium refining technologies for the clean energy transition. We specialize in lithium polishing, the final step in producing ultra-high purity lithium using a novel electrodialysis (ED) platform. With operations expanding in the U.S. and Japan, we are now building our first commercial-scale lithium refining plant in the Greater Houston area. Learn more at About the Job We are seeking a Business Development Associate to support the growth of our U.S. customer and partner base while also providing general corporate support across the company. This is an entry-level role for a technically trained recent graduate who wants to work at the intersection of science and commercialization, as well as getting a firsthand view of working at a rapidly growing deeptech startup. On the business development side, you\'ll support the full cycle: researching target markets and customers, qualifying inbound leads, preparing customer-facing technical materials, supporting conferences and trade shows, and managing customer follow-up. Because our customers are engineers and technical buyers, you\'ll need to understand our electrochemical purification technology well enough to communicate it credibly. A substantial portion of your time will also be allocated to general corporate support. This includes coordinating NDAs and other agreements, assisting with HR procedures and onboarding, maintaining compliance documentation, coordinating meetings and VIP visits, and supporting day-to-day administrative operations of a growing U.S. entity. As an early-stage company, we expect team members to wear multiple hats, and we make heavy use of AI tools (e.g., Claude) to work efficiently across this breadth. The ideal candidate will already be using these tools in their professional/personal life and can showcase examples of improving efficiency with this. With successful performance, you\'ll take on direct ownership of customer accounts and corporate processes as the company scales. Position Overview Full-time, onsite in Houston, Texas Start date: August 2026 Candidates must have work authorization in the U.S. (no visa sponsorship) No relocation assistance offered Required Skills (you absolutely must have these) Bachelors degree in a relevant technical field (e.g., chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or another engineering or scientific discipline) Relevant internships/co-ops or work experience, such as in business development, sales, market research, or a customer-facing technical role Proficiency with Excel/Google Sheets and data tools Experience preparing executive/client-facing presentations, marketing materials, or technical documentation Proficiency with AI tools (e.g., Claude) and a demonstrated habit of using them to accelerate research, writing, and analysis Experience building workflows or automations with AI tools (e.g., Claude, agent-based tools) Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences and clearly communicate with audiences where English is not the first language Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in tracking leads, agreements, and documentation Work authorization in the U.S. Beneficial Skills (strong candidates will typically have several of these) Experience with contract coordination, HR administration, or compliance documentation Experience supporting conferences, trade shows, or customer events Previous exposure to a startup or fast-paced environment Bonus Skills (not required, but definitely let us know if you have these) Coursework or lab experience in electrochemistry, separations, or battery materials Familiarity with lithium, battery materials, or energy supply chains #J-18808-Ljbffr