Director, Cell Product Development

WHO WE ARE  

Factorial Energy is a pioneering U.S.-based solid-state battery company driving the future of energy storage and electrification. Partnered with global leaders including Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, Hyundai, and Kia, Factorial is at the forefront of developing next-generation e-mobility platforms for commercial, defense, and consumer applications—spanning electric vehicles (EVs), drones, eVTOL aircraft, power tools, marine systems, robotics, and more. The company has achieved multiple industry firsts, including being the first to power a demonstration vehicle with a global OEM (Mercedes-Benz) which achieved over 1,200 km (749 mi) of range, the first to earn UN 38.3 certification for automotive-sized solid-state cells, and the first to deliver B-samples of automotive-sized solid-state batteries to major OEMs. 

The Opportunity 

We are looking for a Director of Cell Product Development who will be responsible for Factorial's next generation cell product development and cell technology. This is a full-time, on-site position based in South Korea. The successful candidate will assume a cell engineering and development role joining Factorial's team in South Korea. Responsibilities include managing multiple cell design teams, each of which is responsible for developing a different cell, and finalizing the design for handoff to manufacturing. Duties for this position include defining the cell bill of materials, cell drawing, and ensuring that the cell achieves all requirements. The preferred candidate will have a track record of product development, an understanding of Tier-1 automotive, the battery industry, as well as the research community. The candidate will also have a history of leading and developing strong teams of scientists and engineers. This position will report to the engineering division of Factorial Energy. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Lead the team members to design and develop the next generation battery 

• Lead the product development with experience including concept, design, and product validation (CV, DV, and PV) 

• Lead the team for Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) or similar product development process 

• Execute formal root cause analysis to create mitigation plans for design improvement 

• Execute Design for Manufacturing (DFM) 

• Lead the Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA, DFMEA, PFMEA) 

• Demonstrated record of technical innovation, including publications, presentations, and/or patents 

• Design, validate, and analyze lithium secondary battery for continuous improvement to processes and equipment 

• Key member for large cell next-gen fabrication process development and optimization of product design for manufacturing and quality 

• Provide engineering support to project teams to resolve production and quality issues 

• Lead the effort on design-for-cost and value-added value-engineering (VA/VE) 

• Collaborate and communicate with internal customers directly on cell development 

• Support Factorial's Quasi-Solid State (FEST) Batteries Scale-Up and Mass Production 

• Work with external suppliers and internal production teams to meet design capabilities based on manufacturing processes 

• Quick response to OEM customers 

• RFQ/RFI preparation 

• Close communication with the production team 

Qualifications 

• 5+ years of experience in silicon or Li metal chemistry related lithium-ion battery product development from an established cell supplier or automotive OEM; silicon cell development experience is mandatory 

• 2+ years of management or leadership experience 

• Experience in mass production of lithium batteries 

• Good written and basic verbal communication skills in English 

• Fully located on-site in South Korea, working closely with the US team (requiring occasional late-night overlap) 

• Ability to take team feedback and incorporate it into designs, as well as give constructive feedback to others