Lead Engineer - Tech Transfer - Japan

Who we are: Ceres is leading the way in clean energy innovation, pioneering advancements in electrolysis for green hydrogen production and fuel cells for future power solutions. With our dynamic licensing model, we've built powerful partnerships with major multinational companies like Doosan, Delta, Denso, Shell, and Weichai. Our solid oxide platform is transforming energy systems, delivering high-efficiency green hydrogen to decarbonise some of the most emissions-heavy industries including steelmaking, and future fuels. At Ceres, we foster a workplace driven by passion and purpose. We support our team to think ambitiously, collaborate creatively and confront complex challenges directly. Innovation is at the core of who we are, and we strive to push the boundaries of what’s possible with technology.

Purpose of the role: The role will see you build a strong technical relationship with a key strategic partner in Japan, ensuring the successful delivery of defined Ceres intellectual property and engineering services to the partner organisation. You will become a crucial interface and technical resource for all activities required to enable the partner to reach their mass production goals for Steel Cell and Stack manufacturing and to enable the partner to realise their system level ambitions. You will support the development and delivery of all aspects of the mass manufacturing process for example: machine specification development, PAT & FAT test planning and implementation, factory floor support, capital expenditure planning, machine supply contracting, line fault diagnosis and resolution, line balancing, KPI testing adherence, facility infrastructure development, procurement support. A crucial aspect of the role will be driving a fast, clear and impactful communication between Ceres and the strategic partners project teams including their manufacturing and product-level divisions. The role will require routine travel both to partner and supplier sites as well as to Ceres in the UK.

Key Accountabilities:

• Key technical interface between Ceres UK teams and a strategic partner.
• Ensuring that the realisation of Ceres’ mass manufacturing strategy is achieved through the development and validation of mass manufacturing processes capable of achieving customer required cost points.
• Identify emerging challenges and issues promptly and ensure they are swiftly communicated for escalation when necessary.
• Working with stakeholders to develop and successfully deliver Technology Transfer plans, securing stakeholder-buy-in, building ad-hoc teams to facilitate successful transfer.
• Provide technical support and training of partner manufacturing personnel.
• Technical oversight of documentation, reports and confidential information provided to OEM partners.
• Manage Intellectual Property: Track IP space allocation, oversee the release of existing IP, support the creation of new IP and assist the patent process.
• Delivery and Risk: Working directly with the Technology Transfer Manager and Programme Management to ensure technical and delivery risks are effectively managed.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required:

• Fluent in Japanese and English.
• Multiple years’ engineering experience, likely obtained with a globally recognised OEM.
• Substantial demonstrated experience in high volume manufacturing processes, technology transfer and development and implementation of capex plans to deliver factory manufacturing capacity.
• Proven ability to innovate and collaborate effectively within teams and across partner organisations.
• Passionate and articulate with a strong task focus and ability to align the team with its objectives.
• A clear communicator at all levels with the ability to challenge and influence cross-functionality.
• Superior problem-solving skills addressing multi-part problems with high levels of uncertainty.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse communities, adapting to varying norms and communication styles.
• Confident with communicating and influencing senior stakeholders.

Highly desired experience:

• Production line development and delivery (specification development, supplier selection, contract definitions, PAT and FAT testing, fault resolution, process validation).
• Cost forecasting, developing and managing capital expenditure budgets.
• Managing high value projects with external stakeholders.
• Creating, recognising and securing IP based on project innovations.
• Implementation of Six-Sigma and Lean methodologies to improve production capability (cost, quality, yield).