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:
Test Engineers
Failure Analysis Engineers
DOE / Data 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.
Note: The listed salary range is based on this role being hired at the Senior Manager level. If the role is leveled differently, the range will be adjusted accordingly to reflect the candidate’s experience and qualifications.
