Lead the technological core of Kerionics: the development and industrialization of the SOEC technology you'll bring to market in 2028.
At Kerionics, we work to drive a real change in the world: accelerating industrial decarbonization through technologies that make cleaner and more efficient energy possible.
As a spin-off from ITQ (UPV-CSIC), we were born from scientific knowledge, but our objective is clear: to transform research into real industrial solutions. Our SOEC technology, thanks to its high energy efficiency, allows us to produce hydrogen where it's needed most: in energy-intensive industries such as steel, petrochemicals, cement, ceramics and paper, where replacing fossil fuels remains a major challenge.
We want to prove that an ambitious energy transition is not only possible, but already underway… and you can lead it with us from the technical front line.
We are a multicultural team of more than 35 people, united by a shared purpose: building a more sustainable future through technological innovation.
Scientists, engineers and business professionals passionate about transforming scientific knowledge into real technology that solves the challenges of the industries that most need to decarbonize.
We are looking for a CTO to lead the development and industrialization of our SOEC technology, with our 2028 go-to-market in sight.
Our roadmap is demanding and clearly defined: we will be scaling our technology by orders of magnitude over the coming years, going through several validation milestones, design freeze and end of development before reaching the market. The new CTO will join at a critical moment along that path: not at the very beginning, where everything is exploration, nor at the very end, where everything is execution, but at the point where scientific rigor and industrial discipline must coexist every day.
We are looking for someone capable of combining two things that rarely come together: the scientific rigor to solve the technological challenges still ahead of us in MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly), Stack and Balance of Plant, and the discipline of New Product Introduction to bring the technology from the lab to the industrial product.
You will have three direct reports leading the MEA, Stack and BoP areas: people with judgment, autonomy and deep knowledge of their field. Your challenge will not be to build the team from scratch, but to take it to the next level: aligning them around the roadmap, professionalizing the way we develop product, and building, together with them, the technical culture with which Kerionics will reach the market.
Nor is this a role for silent execution. We are looking for someone capable of acting as the CEO's technical right hand: bringing top-level judgment, following the defined strategy and, when necessary, challenging it with arguments when you believe something has been wrongly decided. You will report to the CEO, but we expect from you the professional maturity to co-build with him, not just to execute. That technical honesty is part of the job.
Technical leadership of a European deeptech scale-up. You will lead the development of one of the most efficient technologies on the market for decarbonizing energy-intensive industries. Few roles allow this much technical, commercial and environmental impact at the same time.
A solid team and a project with real backing. Although we are not yet in a commercial phase, Kerionics already has financial backing from deeptech-specialized funds such as InnoEnergy, top-tier industrial and scientific partners, and participation in strategic European projects. We are in a moment of active growth, opening new conversations with private investors to support the next phase of development. You join a project with clear direction, a consolidated team and a defined path to market.
A real voice in strategy. You are not just another report: you are part of the management committee that sets the direction of the company. You take part in strategic and investment decisions, and we expect you to challenge whatever needs to be challenged. You will report to the CEO, but your technical opinion carries weight in shaping where Kerionics is heading.
A real transition to market. In just a few years, you will live the full cycle: from prototype to product, from lab to industrial plant, from first customer to deployment.
Your mission is to lead Kerionics' technical development and ensure we reach 2028 with an industrializable, reliable and competitive product.
Product development leadership
Team and technical culture
Solving critical technical problems
Technology strategy and partnership with the CEO
Industrialization and quality
1. Take ownership of the technical roadmap: understand in depth the current state of the product, the open challenges, the previous technical decisions and the commitments made with partners and investors. By the end of your first quarter, present your own critical assessment of the roadmap and a proposal for adjustments (if you consider any necessary) to the CEO and the board.
2. Build the trust of the technical team: establish a solid working relationship with the MEA, Stack and BoP managers and their teams. Build, together with them, the cross-functional technical rituals and processes that don't yet exist or that can be improved.
3. Strengthen the product development process: consolidate the existing stage gate system, refining technical pass/fail criteria, decision traceability and technical documentation to support the transition from R&D to industrialization with the maturity this moment requires.
4. Bring AI into how the technical team works: identify where AI tools can meaningfully accelerate technical work, decision-making and documentation across the MEA, Stack and BoP areas, and lead by example in their adoption. We don't expect a top-down rollout, but rather thoughtful integration where it adds real value.
5. Deliver the next milestones of the technical roadmap: lead the team to successfully reach the next major product validation milestones, according to the agreed quality criteria and timelines.
6. Build Kerionics' technical voice externally: represent the company in relevant technical forums, before partners, investors and potential candidates. Begin to position Kerionics as a technical reference in SOEC across Europe.
We work on-site at our facilities in Parque Tecnológico de Paterna (Valencia), very close to the product: lab, workshop, prototypes and test benches. In this role, that closeness matters even more: technical decisions are made with the product right in front of you.
We usually start early (around 7:30), which lets us enjoy our evenings for sports, family or whatever you prefer. We deeply believe in work-life balance, and our extended holiday policy reflects that. Our eNPS of 62.5, well above the "acceptable" range (0-30), reflects the commitment, engagement and sense of belonging of a team united by a shared mission.
Must-haves
We are looking for someone who…
Not required, but you'll surprise us if you also…
A note before you decide...
The list above describes an ideal profile, not a checklist that every strong candidate must tick completely. People from groups still underrepresented in deeptech and engineering tend to be harder on themselves when reading job descriptions. Don't decide for us: apply, and let us decide whether there's a fit. The technology we're building will change how heavy industry consumes energy across Europe, and getting there depends on the perspectives we bring into the room.
1. A first conversation with our Head of People & Culture to get to know each other and answer your questions.
2. A technical session with a panel formed by members of the current technical team (BoP, MEA and Stack) and, depending on the profile, a trusted external technical expert.
3. A conversation with our CEO, to explore your technical vision, your reading of the challenge and how it fits with Kerionics' strategy.
4. A conversation with a member of our board, focused on long-term vision and an independent validation of strategic fit.
If everything fits, we'll aim to make an offer within 4-5 weeks from our first contact.
At Kerionics we firmly believe in equal opportunities. All candidates will be considered regardless of gender, age, origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or any other personal characteristic.
If you have a disability and need any adjustment or adaptation during the selection process, please write to us confidentially at people@kerionics.com.
¡Accede a opiniones reales desde tu cuenta de Glassdoor y envía solicitudes solo a los empleos que te encajen!