Product Development Engineer

Product Development Engineer

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Who We Are

Aepnus Technology is a climate technology company based in Oakland, California, reinventing how essential industrial chemicals are produced. We are transforming the chlor-alkali industry with a novel electrochemical process that converts industrial salt and sulfate waste into high-purity commodities such as caustic soda and sulfuric acid, while dramatically reducing fossil fuel use and energy demand.

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Backed by $10.6M from leading climate investors including Lowercarbon Capital, Voyager Ventures, and Clean Energy Ventures, Aepnus is entering a pivotal execution phase in 2026 as we scale toward commercial deployment. Our mission is to enable clean, local, and resilient chemical manufacturing across North America, and we are building a world-class team to deliver meaningful climate and economic impact.

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What You’ll Do

As our Product Development Engineer, you will play a critical role in the design, development, and commercialization of electrochemical cell and stack hardware that powers our cutting-edge technologies. We are seeking an engineer with strong fundamentals and hands-on experience who can take ownership of mechanical designs from early concept through production.

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As part of a small and agile team, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact across product development. You will report directly to the Head of Product Development and collaborate closely with R&D, systems, and manufacturing partners.

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Key Responsibilities:

• Design Ownership: Serve as the mechanical design owner for components, assemblies, and test equipment supporting electrochemical cells and stacks
• Requirements to Production: Own products end-to-end, from requirements definition and concept generation through detailed design and production implementation
• Research & Benchmarking: Independently research, benchmark, and evaluate technologies and suppliers to inform design decisions
• Risk Identification: Identify, assess, and manage technical risks, developing novel test strategies and mitigation plans
• Engineering Analysis: Generate and evaluate design concepts using first-principles engineering analysis, simulations, and rapid prototyping techniques
• Testing & Validation: Develop and execute test plans; design, build, and commission custom test equipment as needed
• Prototyping / Fabrication: Prototype / Fabricate and test components and assemblies on-site and at supplier facilities
• Supplier Collaboration: Identify, assess, and work directly with R&D and Commercial manufacturing partners to deliver prototype and production-intent hardware
• Data-Driven Iteration: Analyze experimental and field data to guide design iterations, validation, and performance improvements
• Project Management: Manage technical projects and coordinate schedules across internal teams and external suppliers
• Systems Definition: Define product-, system-, and project-level requirements in collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders

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Experience & Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent industry experience)
• Industry Experience: 3–5 years of relevant industry experience
• CAD & PDM Expertise: Expert-level proficiency in CAD and PDM systems; Onshape experience strongly preferred
• Design for Reliability: Demonstrated experience designing hardware for safety, long service life, and reliability in harsh environments, including high-temperature and corrosive conditions
• Engineering Documentation: Ability to produce professional engineering documentation such as PRDs, design reviews, project plans, and fabrication drawings utilizing GD&T
• Test Equipment Design: Hands-on experience designing and building test equipment for mechanical and electrical characterization of components and assemblies
• Startup Experience: Experience in a hardware startup environment, from technology development through implementation preferred
• Electrochemical Hardware: Commercial-scale electrochemical cell or stack mechanical design experience preferred

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Compensation & Benefits:

• $115,000 - $140,000 salary range plus equity, commensurate with experience
• Aepnus pays 100% of medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees, 50% for dependents
• 401(k) plan and additional retirement benefits
• Flexible paid time off for wellness, vacation, and rest, plus 10 paid holidays per year
• Two weeks off in late December for an annual Winter Break
• 80 / 20 in-office work environment, with up to one full remote day weekly 
• Monthly team builds and an annual offsite retreat

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Why Join Aepnus?

Aepnus brings together driven, curious individuals committed to rethinking how essential industrial chemicals are made. You will have the opportunity to work closely with company leadership to advance breakthrough technologies from development to market, while growing your role and influence as the company scales. The environment is dynamic and hands-on, offering constant opportunities to learn, lead, and make a real difference. Our culture is built around collaboration, ambition, and a shared belief that deep technical innovation can create meaningful change.

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Aepnus is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our company. Aepnus prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

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