Head of Test & Validation

About Ensurge Micropower Ensurge Micropower (OSE: ENSU) is a pioneer in solid-state microbattery technology enabling the next generation of intelligent, connected devices. Leveraging proprietary thin-film and roll-to-roll manufacturing, Ensurge delivers safe, high energy-density batteries for applications in wearables, health tech, industrial sensing, and defense. With headquarters in San Jose and a global footprint spanning the U.S. and Europe, Ensurge is redefining what is possible in powering AI at the edge.Ensurgesolid-statemicrobatteriesoffer multiple times the energy density and charge cycles of lithium-ion alternatives.Our platform enables a wide range of battery shapes and form factors, unlocking new product designs and previously impossible applicationsJoin our team of battery innovators in a dynamic, supportive start-up environment to enable the next generation of hearables, wearables, and IoT-connected sensors with Ensurge's groundbreaking solid-statemicrobatteries.Role OverviewEnsurge 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 ExecutionDefine and execute end-to-end test and validation strategies aligned with product requirements, application needs, and phase-gate criteriaEnsure all testing activities are hypothesis-driven and explicitly tied to risk reduction or readiness decisionsEstablish validation coverage across electrical performance, reliability, environmental robustness, safety, and mechanical integritySupport POC, EVT, and DVT readiness assessments with clear, data-backed recommendationsDefine validation sufficiency and identify gaps, risks, and mitigation plansDOE Planning & ExecutionLead structured Design of Experiments (DoE) planning and execution across materials, cell design, and process variablesEnsure experimental designs are statistically sound, well-documented, and traceable to builds and process conditionsPartner with Product, Systems Engineering, and R&D teams to prioritize DOEs based on technology risk and readiness gapsEliminate ad-hoc experimentation by enforcing disciplined experimental frameworksFailure Analysis (FA) & Root Cause Analysis (RCA)Own and drive failure analysis and root cause investigation for performance, reliability, or process deviationsEstablish consistent FA and RCA methodologies and documentation standardsCorrelate failure modes to design decisions, materials, process windows, or usage conditionsDrive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) and ensure closure through follow-up testingSynthesize FA findings into clear insights for leadership and cross-functional teamsData Integrity & TraceabilityEnsure test, DOE, and FA data integrity, traceability, and usability across development phasesWork closely with data and engineering teams to link test results to materials, process conditions, and build historyEnable clear data summaries and dashboards that support phase-gate and design review decisionsImprove data consistency and reproducibility across experiments and buildsTeam Leadership & DevelopmentBuild, lead, and mentor a high-impact team, including:Test EngineersFailure Analysis EngineersDOE / Data EngineersDefine clear roles, responsibilities, and interfaces within the teamEstablish operating rhythms, best practices, and technical standardsSupport hiring, onboarding, and development of technical talentCross-Functional CollaborationServe as a key interface between:Product Management & Product ValidationCell & Materials EngineeringProcess & Manufacturing DevelopmentSupport internal phase-gate reviews with validation and readiness evidenceProvide clear, data-driven recommendations to leadership on technology risk and readinessDesired Qualifications and Key Personal AttributesRequiredBS, MS, or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Electrochemistry, or related field7-12+ years of experience in test, validation, reliability, or advanced R&D environmentsStrong hands-on experience with:Test planning and executionFailure analysis and root cause investigationDOE and statistical methodsExperimental data interpretationDemonstrated ability to lead small technical teams and drive executionStrong communication skills with the ability to translate data into decisionsPreferredExperience with solid-state, lithium-metal, or advanced lithium-based battery systemsBackground in batteries, microelectronics, semiconductors, or other complex hardware systemsExposure to phase-gate development models (POC, EVT, DVT, PVT)Experience operating in fast-paced startup or scale-up environmentsSalary Range:$225,000-$260,000