Lead the technological core of Kerionics: the development and industrialization of the SOEC technology you'll bring to market in 2028.

About us

At Kerionics, we accelerate industrial decarbonization through technologies that make cleaner, more efficient energy possible. We are a spin-off from ITQ (UPV-CSIC), born from scientific knowledge with a clear goal: turning research into real industrial solutions.

Our SOEC (solid oxide electrolysis) technology produces hydrogen with high energy efficiency where it is needed most: energy-intensive industries such as steel, petrochemicals, cement, ceramics and paper, where replacing fossil fuels remains a major challenge. We are a multicultural team of more than 40 people, united by a shared purpose.

What we are looking for

We need a CTO to lead the development and industrialization of our SOEC technology, with our 2028 go-to-market in sight. Over the coming years we will scale the technology by orders of magnitude. You would join at a critical point: not at the beginning, where everything is exploration, nor at the end, where everything is execution, but where scientific rigor and industrial discipline must coexist every day.

We want someone who combines the scientific rigor to solve the open challenges in MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly), Stack and Balance of Plant (BoP) with the discipline of New Product Introduction (NPI) to take the technology from the lab to an industrial product.

You will lead three managers, one each for MEA, Stack and BoP: people with judgment, autonomy and deep knowledge of their fields. Your challenge is not to build a team from scratch, but to take it to the next level: aligning everyone around the roadmap, professionalizing how we develop product and building a technical culture together.

This is not a role for silent execution. You will be the CEO's technical right hand: following the defined strategy and, when needed, challenging it with arguments if you believe something has been decided wrongly. You report to the CEO, but we expect you to co-build, not just execute. That technical honesty is part of the job.

Why this role matters

- Technical leadership of a European deeptech scale-up, with technical, commercial and environmental impact at the same time.
- A project with real backing: financial support from deeptech-specialized funds such as InnoEnergy, top-tier industrial and scientific partners, participation in strategic European projects, and new conversations with private investors for the next phase.
- A real voice in strategy: you sit on the management committee, take part in strategic and investment decisions, and your technical opinion carries weight.
- The full transition to market: from prototype to product, from lab to industrial plant, from first customer to deployment.

What you will do

- Product development: lead the cross-functional development of our SOEC technology across MEA, Stack and BoP; make sure it follows an NPI logic with clear stage gates, technical pass/fail criteria and traceability of decisions; lead the transition from R&D; to industrialization.




- Team and culture: lead the MEA, Stack and BoP managers directly, unblock what they need, build a technical culture grounded in data, honesty and accountability, and take an active role in technical hiring.
- Critical technical problems: provide top-level judgment on open challenges and lead decisions that cut across areas, even with incomplete data.
- Strategy: be the technical reference in the management committee, give the CEO honest judgment, and represent Kerionics before partners, investors and customers.
- Industrialization and quality: coordinate with the Industrial Project Manager on the future plant, and with the Quality & Testing Manager to align validation criteria with the product.

What we expect in your first 12 months

1. Own the technical roadmap: understand the current state of the product and the commitments made to partners and investors. By the end of your first quarter, present your own critical assessment of the roadmap to the CEO and the board.
2. Build the trust of the MEA, Stack and BoP managers and their teams, and the cross-functional rituals and processes that do not yet exist.
3. Strengthen the development process: consolidate the existing stage-gate system, refining pass/fail criteria, decision traceability and documentation.
4. Bring AI into how the team works, where it adds real value, leading by example. No top-down rollout.
5. Deliver the next major validation milestones of the roadmap.
6. Build Kerionics' technical voice externally and position it as a SOEC reference in Europe.

How we work

We work on-site at Parque Tecnológico de Paterna (Valencia), close to the product: lab, workshop, prototypes and test benches. We usually start early (around 7:30), which leaves your afternoons free for sports, family or whatever you prefer.

What we ask for

Must-haves

- Advanced degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Materials, Energy), Materials Science or Chemistry. A PhD will be highly valued.
- At least 5 years in electrochemical or hydrogen technologies (electrolysis, fuel cells or equivalent). Direct SOEC experience is not required: we value deep knowledge of stacks, MEAs or systems that you can bring to ours.
- At least 3 years leading product development from R&D; toward industrialization.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams.
- Solid knowledge of at least one pillar: MEA and electrochemical materials, stack design and validation, or BoP in complex energy systems. We do not expect equal depth in all three, but you must hold demanding technical conversations across them.
- Fluent English, spoken and written, for technical discussions and for representing the company.




- Availability to relocate to Valencia within 2-3 months. If you need more time for family reasons, let's talk.
- Valid work permit for Spain, or eligibility to obtain one. For the right candidate, we support the paperwork.

We are looking for someone who...

- Has the judgment to say no to a good project that doesn't fit the strategy, and yes to a hard one when the evidence supports it.
- Decides under uncertainty without falling into paralysis or improvisation.
- Challenges the CEO with arguments when needed, while staying loyal to the agreed strategy.
- Leads through context and example, not micromanagement, and stays hands-on when needed.
- Stays current with AI and uses it critically.
- Can join an already formed team and earn its trust through knowledge and respect, not hierarchy.

Not required, but you'll surprise us if you also...

- Have direct experience with SOEC or SOFC, or high-temperature ceramic materials.
- Have been a CTO, VP of R&D; or Head of Technology in a deeptech scale-up.
- Have lived a complete industrial scale-up (TRL 5-6 to TRL 8-9) in electrochemical, energy or advanced materials technologies.
- Know our target sectors (steel, cement, petrochemicals, ceramics, glass, paper).
- Speak Spanish.
- Have your own network in the European hydrogen, SOEC/SOFC or industrial decarbonization ecosystem.

A note before you decide...

This list describes an idóneo profile, not a checklist. People from groups underrepresented in deeptech and engineering tend to be harder on themselves when reading job descriptions. Don't decide for us: send us your CV, and let us decide whether there's a fit.

What we offer

- €70-90K gross per year, depending on experience and fit.
- Variable bonus of up to €20K, linked to the technical milestones of our roadmap. Details shared during the process.
- Stock option plan. Full terms shared during the process.
- Permanent contract, with a standard 6-month probationary period.
- Relocation support package for candidates moving to Valencia.
- 22 working days of holiday.
- Language lessons (Spanish or English) if you want to strengthen your language skills.
- Annual training budget tailored to your needs.
- A multicultural team: colleagues from India, the UK, France, Pakistan, Mexico, Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador...
- Every Friday, 11:00 to 12:00, a good Valencian esmorzaret to disconnect and celebrate the week's small wins.

How our selection process works

1. A video call with our Head of People & Culture.
2. A video call with our CEO, to explore your technical vision and how it fits with Kerionics' strategy.
3. A video call with an external expert.
4. A video call with a member of our Board, focused on long-term vision and an independent view of strategic fit.
5. A full-day visit to our facilities in Paterna (Valencia), where you will see the product and meet the MEA, Stack and BoP managers, your future direct reports. We cover your travel and accommodation.

We will update you within 5 working days after each step and treat your candidacy with full confidentiality.

📌 Chief Technology Officer (CTO) | Hydrogen (Valencia)
🏢 Kerionics
📍 Valencia