Mechanical Cell Engineer

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

Electrical Engineer: Power Systems

Hayward, California, United States

Voya Energy

Hayward, California, United States 5 months ago

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

Voya Energy is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Power Systems Engineer to take ownership of the design, build, and test of the power system architecture essential to the development and scaling of our metal‑fueled generator technology. You will be responsible for the architecture that manages power flow between the generator, the battery storage, the local load, and the utility grid—including a switching solution that allows the grid to take over the load seamlessly when desired. The ideal candidate has a hands‑on approach based on engineering first principles and industry experience, a deep understanding of hybrid inverters and converters, and demonstrated experience in bringing hardware (components, sub‑assemblies, top‑level assemblies) through a complete workflow: conceptual trades/design, performance prediction/analysis, development testing iteration and eventually to production. Collaboration with mechanical, fluids, automation, data and controls is essential.

Responsibilities:

• Rapid Development: Design and bring up the Hybrid Inverter, converter, switches and battery management system architectures with a focus on speed-to-prototype.
• Load & Grid Management: Design the switching logic and hardware to allow the onsite AC load to be powered by either the hybrid system or the grid.
• Intelligent Power Flow: Build the "charge-and-switch" logic, ensuring the system can buffer energy from the generator and manage the transition between battery, generator, and grid power.
• Practical Architecture: Source components from multiple vendors to avoid long lead times. You prefer "available now" over "perfect in six months."
• Hardware-Mechanical Synergy: Use your mechanical aptitude to ensure electronics fit physical constraints, accounting for thermal management and ruggedized packaging.
• Small Team Collaboration: Thrive in a tight‑knit environment where you help define requirements for software and mechanical peers to move the whole project forward. Directly support design, test readiness and test data reviews.
• Testing & Validation: Develop test plans and perform development testing for verification and validation of assemblies.
• Create and maintain system electrical schematics.
• Adhere to relevant safety standards.
• Document assembly and operating procedures for new equipment and systems.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of relevant industry experience in system-level power electronics.
• Direct experience with High Power (25-250kW) Hybrid Inverters and DC-DC conversion.
• Familiarity with AC switching/transfer logic and protection coordination.
• Ability to perform "worst-case" analysis and simulations (SPICE/PLECS) to ensure design robustness.
• Proficiency in PCB layout with a focus on DFM (Design for Manufacturing).
• Proficiency in Altium Designer (or similar) with specific experience in high-current/high-voltage layout.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, NX, or Creo). Demonstrated experience working in PDM and/or PLM environments.
• Expert-level use of PLECS, PSIM, or MATLAB/Simulink to simulate power stages and control loops before building hardware.
• Demonstrated knowledge of UL 1741 and IEEE 1547.
• Hands‑on experience with heat sink sizing, fan selection, and thermal interface materials to keep the system stable under load and operating environment requirements.
• Demonstrated firmware experience, specifically C/C++ for microcontrollers to ensure the hardware and software are aligned.
• Experience with development testing, failure analysis, and debugging complex systems. The successful candidate will own and drive documentation and configuration management.
• Comfortable working in an environment based on accountability: scope, schedule, budget, 2-way feedback and collaboration.
• Familiar with modern engineering collaboration toolsets: Confluence,, Slack, Asana, etc.
• Demonstrated experience reading electrical schematics/drawings.
• Demonstrated ability to operate in a fast‑paced, start‑up environment. Hands‑on and biased towards action.

Location: Hayward, CA. Full‑time on‑site.

Salary & Benefits:

• Competitive salary and equity compensation commensurate with experience