Chief Technology Officer (CTO) | Hydrogen

Lead the technological core of Kerionics: the development and industrialization of the SOEC technology youll 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 its 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 CEOs 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

You will lead the cross-functional technical development of our SOEC technology integrating progress across the MEA Stack and BoP areas into a coherent product vision.

You will ensure that the development process follows a New Product Introduction (NPI) logic with clear stage gates defined technical pass/fail criteria and traceability of decisions.

You will lead the transition from R&D to industrialization maintaining the scientific rigor that the product needs at each phase.

Team and technical culture

You will directly lead the MEA Stack and BoP managers supporting their priorities and unblocking what they need to move forward.

You will build a technical culture grounded in data intellectual honesty and accountability for results.

You will play an active role in technical hiring decisions and in the professional development of your team.

Solving critical technical problems

You will provide top-level technical judgment on the open challenges of the product.

You will lead decision-making on problems that affect more than one area (MEA-Stack interfaces Stack-BoP integration system thermal behavior).

You will make technical decisions with incomplete data when context demands it.

Technology strategy and partnership with the CEO

You will be the technical reference in the management committee taking an active part in shaping the strategic direction of the company.

You will support the CEO on technical decisions that go beyond his own field of expertise offering honest judgment even when it contradicts what was previously defined.

You will represent Kerionics before technology partners research centers investors and industrial customers whenever technical depth is needed.

Industrialization and quality

You will coordinate with the Industrial Project Manager on the product aspects that affect the design of our future industrial plant.

You will work closely with the Quality & Testing Manager (who reports to the CEO) to ensure that validation criteria are aligned with the technical reality of the product.

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 dont 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 dont 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 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

Advanced degree in Engineering (Chemical Mechanical Materials Energy) or Materials Science / Chemistry. A PhD will be highly valued.

Relevant experience in high-temperature electrochemical systems with at least 5 years of knowledge in SOEC SOFC fuel cells or equivalent technologies.

At least 3 years of experience leading product development from R&D toward industrialization (TRL advancement stage gates NPI or similar processes).

Experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams.

Solid knowledge of at least one of the three pillars of the product: MEA and high-temperature ceramic materials stack design and validation or Balance of Plant in complex energy systems. We dont expect equivalent depth in all three but we do expect the ability to hold demanding technical conversations across all of them.

Fluent English (oral and written) professional level for technical discussions and external representation of the company.

Availability to relocate to Valencia within a maximum of 2-3 months. We value individual cases: if you need more time due to family circumstances lets talk.

Valid work permit for Spain.

We are looking for someone who

Has the technical judgment to say no to a good project when it doesnt fit the strategy and to say yes to a hard project when the evidence supports it.

Knows how to operate under uncertainty making decisions with incomplete data without falling into paralysis or improvisation.

Is capable of challenging the CEO with arguments when needed while always remaining loyal to the agreed strategy.

Combines scientific rigor with industrial sense of urgency: understands that the best technical product is worthless if it doesnt reach the market on time.

Leads through context and example not through micromanagement.

Stays hands-on when needed: not afraid to get into the technical detail with the team while always thinking two steps ahead and anticipating whats coming next.

Stays current with developments in AI and integrates them critically into their professional work both as a thinking partner and as a tool to accelerate technical and team productivity.

Has the professional maturity to join an already formed team and earn its trust through knowledge and respect not through hierarchy.

Not required but youll surprise us if you also

Have previous experience as a CTO VP of R&D or Head of Technology in a deeptech scale-up.

Have lived through a complete industrial scale-up process (from TRL 5-6 to TRL 8-9) in electrochemical energy or advanced materials technologies.

Have experience in Kerionics target industrial sectors (steel cement petrochemicals ceramics glass paper) or have worked on industrial decarbonization projects.

Speak Spanish (not required but it makes integration with the team and with local partners and suppliers easier).

Have your own network in the European hydrogen SOEC/SOFC or industrial decarbonization ecosystem.

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. Dont decide for us: apply and let us decide whether theres a fit. The technology were building will change how heavy industry consumes energy across Europe and getting there depends on the perspectives we bring into the room.

70-80K gross per year depending on experience and fit.

Variable bonus of up to 25% of the fixed salary tied to company and area objectives.

Stock option plan. Details to be discussed during the process.

Relocation support package for candidates moving to Valencia.

22 working days of holiday plus the Christmas period.

The opportunity to lead the technical development of one of the most promising technologies for industrial decarbonization in Europe.

A direct voice in the management committee and in shaping the strategic direction of the company.

An already-formed technical team with consolidated managers and a clear roadmap toward 2028.

Cross-learning sessions across teams: youll learn from your team and share what you know.

Annual training budget tailored to your needs.

Enrichment through the cultural diversity of our team: youll work alongside people from India the UK France Pakistan Mexico Argentina Colombia Ecuador

Every Friday from 11:00 to 12:00 we break the routine and share a good Valencian esmorzaret. A moment to disconnect laugh and celebrate the small wins of the week.

A direct contribution to industrial decarbonization through the most efficient SOEC technology on the market.

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 well aim to make an offer within 4-5 weeks from our first contact.

We make everything possible. Its the spirit that drives our resilience fuels our innovation and pushes us to keep overcoming challenges.

We speak up. Radical honesty is how we make ideas stronger and build trust.

We get curious. Whether its cracking a membrane problem or rethinking how we run a morning meeting we explore test and iterate.

Weve got each others backs. We share knowledge celebrate wins big and small and help when someones stuck.

We value every background. Diversity isnt just talk its how we innovate better.

We own it. Were proactive; we dont wait around. This is our project and every one of us pushes it forward.

We learn from our mistakes. Were not afraid to try fail and try again. Thats how we turn bold ideas into real breakthroughs.

We care. About safety about impact about the people next to us in the blue polo.

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 .