Principal Fuel Cell Engineer

Title: Principal Fuel Cell Engineer
Company: Heven AeroTech
Location: Winchester, Virginia
FLSA: Exempt

About Our Company:
At Heven AeroTech, we engineer autonomous ecosystems that defy the limitations of traditional flight. We are a U.S.-headquartered unmanned air systems (UAS) solution innovator dedicated to solving the greatest challenges in the skies: endurance, mission capabilities, and intelligent autonomy. Hydrogen fuel cells are an ideal power source for UAS platforms, providing both stealth and long endurance. By merging hydrogen fuel cell propulsion with artificial intelligence and advanced computing innovation, we are creating systems that stay airborne longer and operate smarter than anything else in the industry. Heven also provides turnkey hydrogen solutions to deliver fuel on-site anywhere for our customers.

As we scale our domestic footprint in Winchester, Virginia, we are seeking a foundational Principal Hydrogen Fuel Cell Engineer to operate at the intersection of UAS flight architecture, electrochemical system development, and manufacturing scale-up. This is a rare opportunity to build at the leading edge of hydrogen, fuel cells, and autonomous flight systems.

Role Summary:
As a founding Lead Hydrogen Fuel Cell Engineer, you will lead an engineering team responsible for developing hydrogen fuel cell stacks and systems optimized for high power-to-weight and high efficiency. You will guide the design, integration, and control of stacks and balance-of-plant systems to ensure reliable performance across demanding aerospace environments. You will also collaborate closely with vendors to evaluate and integrate commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components while developing custom solutions where required. In partnership with manufacturing, testing, and controls teams, you will help build a scalable and production-ready fuel cell architecture.

Success in this role requires more than technical excellence. We are looking for a leader who embodies:

• Hungry – Drives progress, takes ownership, and relentlessly pushes systems, teams, and ideas forward without waiting for direction.
• Humble – Prioritizes team success over individual recognition, is receptive to feedback, and leads with respect and openness.
• Smart – Demonstrates strong interpersonal awareness, communicates effectively, and builds trust across engineering, manufacturing, and vendor teams.

Your work will directly shape how Heven AeroTech systems are deployed across defense, public safety, and commercial missions, defining the standard for high-performance autonomous flight.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Lead an engineering team in the design, fabrication, and integration of 1.5–10 kW hydrogen fuel cell systems optimized for UAS applications.
• Define and optimize thermal management strategies for airborne fuel cell systems.
• Select, evaluate, and qualify membrane electrode assemblies, bipolar plates, gas diffusion layers, and sealing systems.
• Develop and validate balance-of-plant architectures for operation across dynamic flight and environmental conditions.
• Maintain and improve laboratory infrastructure to ensure accurate, repeatable, high-quality test data.
• Establish and manage vendor relationships for COTS components and co-development programs.
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to scale stack production and ensure repeatable quality.
• Develop stack assembly processes, tooling requirements, and acceptance test criteria for production readiness.

Qualifications & Experience:

Required:

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrochemical Engineering, or related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience working with electrochemical systems (e.g., fuel cells, electrolyzers, batteries, or similar)
• Demonstrated success developing low-temperature hydrogen fuel cell systems for aerospace, transportation, or equivalent applications.
• Strong understanding of how to translate electrochemical material properties into system-level performance using design, modeling, and controls.
• Proven ability to lead or manage engineering teams and drive technical execution.
• Experience collaborating across engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain functions.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.
• Eligibility to obtain a U.S. DoD Secret clearance; must be a U.S. Person per ITAR/EAR requirements.
• Demonstrates initiative, ownership, and a bias for action in ambiguous or fast-moving environments.
• Builds trust, shares credit, accepts feedback, and supports team growth over personal recognition.
• Navigates team dynamics effectively, communicates clearly, and strengthens cross-functional collaboration.

Preferred:

• Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink, GT-SUITE, or ANSYS.
• Experience with electrochemical diagnostics such as impedance spectroscopy and SEM analysis.
• Experience defining quality systems for manufacturing scale-up.
• Familiarity with machine learning applied to test and performance data.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work safely in laboratory and light manufacturing environments, including proximity to hydrogen systems, pressurized gases, and electrical equipment.
• Ability to move throughout laboratory, test, and production environments for extended periods.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach to inspect, assemble, and maintain fuel cell stacks and related UAS components.
• Ability to lift, carry, and position equipment or components up to 40 lbs, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Sufficient manual dexterity to handle precision components, instrumentation, tubing, and electrical/mechanical assemblies.
• Ability to visually inspect systems, read instrumentation, and identify defects or irregularities in components and assemblies.
• Ability to operate standard laboratory and manufacturing tools, including diagnostic equipment and hand tools.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, gloves, lab coats, and other protective gear.
• Ability to work in environments with variable noise levels, temperatures, and proximity to operating machinery.
• Ability to safely access elevated equipment using ladders or step stools when necessary.
• Ability to climb ladders or use step stools as needed to access equipment or test setups.

Benefits Overview: 
Heven AeroTech offers a competitive benefits package designed to support the health, financial security, and overall well-being of our employees and their families. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement plans, paid time off/sick, and additional protections such as critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident coverage, and short- and long-term disability.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: 
Heven AeroTech is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.