Role Overview
Ensurge is seeking a Head of Test & Validation to define and drive a structured, decision-oriented test and validation framework across product and technology development. This role is responsible for ensuring that testing and failure analysis directly support technology readiness, phase-gate decisions, and design improvements, rather than standalone data collection.
This role will lead a multidisciplinary team spanning test engineering, failure analysis, data/DOE engineering, and root cause analysis (RCA), and will serve as a key interface among Product, R&D, and Process Development teams to ensure that validation data translates into actionable decisions.
Key Responsibilities:
Test & Validation Strategy and Execution
- Define and execute end-to-end test and validation strategies aligned with product requirements, application needs, and phase-gate criteria
- Ensure all testing activities are hypothesis-driven and explicitly tied to risk reduction or readiness decisions
- Establish validation coverage across electrical performance, reliability, environmental robustness, safety, and mechanical integrity
- Support POC, EVT, and DVT readiness assessments with clear, data-backed recommendations
- Define validation sufficiency and identify gaps, risks, and mitigation plans
DOE Planning & Execution
- Lead structured Design of Experiments (DoE) planning and execution across materials, cell design, and process variables
- Ensure experimental designs are statistically sound, well-documented, and traceable to builds and process conditions
- Partner with Product, Systems Engineering, and R&D teams to prioritize DOEs based on technology risk and readiness gaps
- Eliminate ad-hoc experimentation by enforcing disciplined experimental frameworks
Failure Analysis (FA) & Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
- Own and drive failure analysis and root cause investigation for performance, reliability, or process deviations
- Establish consistent FA and RCA methodologies and documentation standards
- Correlate failure modes to design decisions, materials, process windows, or usage conditions
- Drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) and ensure closure through follow-up testing
- Synthesize FA findings into clear insights for leadership and cross-functional teams
Data Integrity & Traceability
- Ensure test, DOE, and FA data integrity, traceability, and usability across development phases
- Work closely with data and engineering teams to link test results to materials, process conditions, and build history
- Enable clear data summaries and dashboards that support phase-gate and design review decisions
- Improve data consistency and reproducibility across experiments and builds
Team Leadership & Development
- Build, lead, and mentor a high-impact team, including:
- Failure Analysis Engineers
- Define clear roles, responsibilities, and interfaces within the team
- Establish operating rhythms, best practices, and technical standards
- Support hiring, onboarding, and development of technical talent
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Serve as a key interface between:
- Product Management & Product Validation
- Cell & Materials Engineering
- Process & Manufacturing Development
- Support internal phase-gate reviews with validation and readiness evidence
- Provide clear, data-driven recommendations to leadership on technology risk and readiness
Desired Qualifications and Key Personal Attributes
Required
- BS, MS, or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Electrochemistry, or related field
- 7-12+ years of experience in test, validation, reliability, or advanced R&D environments
- Strong hands-on experience with:
- Test planning and execution
- Failure analysis and root cause investigation
- DOE and statistical methods
- Experimental data interpretation
- Demonstrated ability to lead small technical teams and drive execution
- Strong communication skills with the ability to translate data into decisions
Preferred
- Experience with solid-state, lithium-metal, or advanced lithium-based battery systems
- Background in batteries, microelectronics, semiconductors, or other complex hardware systems
- Exposure to phase-gate development models (POC, EVT, DVT, PVT)
- Experience operating in fast-paced startup or scale-up environments
Salary Range:
$225,000-$260,000
The base salary range is specific to California. The salary of the final candidate selected for this role will be determined by a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty, and training.
