Materials Development

About Company:

Exide Energy Solutions Limited (EESL) is one of the fastest growing companies who has vision to solve social issues regarding energy, environment, resource, etc with producing lithium-ion battery products. Exide Energy Solutions Ltd is setting up India’s first Giga plant to manufacture Lithium Ion Cells in Bengaluru. Exide Energy Solutions Limited is looking for NMC Cell design and development in the Cell R&D organization to achieve company’s goal. The role requires to lead design and development team for NMC technology for various format of battery cells manufactured in EESL Gigafactory.

Key Responsibility:

India-Focused Material Localization Strategy (Supplier Ecosystem):

Strategic Ownership

• Own and execute India-focused material localization strategy aligned with:
• ACC Battery PLI Scheme
• Make in India
• Cost, supply security, and ESG targets
• Ensure localization milestones are mapped to PLI incentive eligibility timelines.

Work closely with Procurement, Finance, Legal, and Project management teams to:

• Define localized value addition % for cathode, anode, electrolyte, separator, and additives.
• Support PLI documentation, audits, and technical justifications.
• Track localization progress vs committed PLI milestones.
• Translate PLI guidelines into actionable material roadmaps.

Supplier Qualification & Risk Management

• Lead APQP, PPAP, and proto/pilot cell validation for localized materials.
• Define sourcing strategies to reduce geopolitical and supply risks.
• Manage IP protection, NDA frameworks, and technology transfer safeguards.

Materials Development & Qualification

• Lead development and qualification of cathode, anode, electrolyte, binder, and additive materials.
• Define material specifications, acceptance criteria, and validation protocols.
• Drive lab-scale formulation → pilot-scale → mass-production readiness.

Material Localization Strategy & Supplier Ecosystem

• Define and execute material localization roadmap aligned with cost, supply security, and ESG goals.
• Identify local suppliers for active materials, precursors, solvents, binders, salts, and additives.
• Lead technology transfer from global suppliers to local partners.
• Support Make-in-India / localization programs including qualification timelines.
• Balance localization with performance, reliability, and IP protection.
• Work with procurement and finance on localized BOM cost reduction and risk mitigation.

Laboratory Development & Capability Building

• Establish and expand materials R&D and characterization laboratories.
• Define lab layout, equipment roadmap, and CAPEX planning.
• Build capabilities for:
• Powder synthesis & processing
• Slurry formulation & electrode fabrication
• Coin / pouch / cylindrical/ prismatic cell assembly
• Electrochemical testing & failure analysis
• Ensure lab safety, SOPs, calibration, and compliance.
• Drive lab-to-factory knowledge transfer.

Cell Performance, Reliability & Failure Analysis

• Link material properties to cell performance, safety, and lifetime.
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA), FMEA, and degradation studies.
• Support improvements in energy density, cycle life, and fast charging.

Manufacturing & Scale-Up Support

• Resolve material-related yield and quality issues in coating, calendaring, formation, and aging.
• Support GWh-scale ramp-up and continuous improvement.
• Support material change management (ECNs).

Technology Roadmap & Innovation

• Own materials technology roadmap (next-gen cathodes, high-silicon, solid-state, sodium-ion).
• Benchmark global leaders and emerging technologies.
• Lead patent filing and IP strategy

Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Build and mentor high-performing materials teams.
• Work closely with Process, Cell Design, Quality, EHS, and Project management teams.
• Represent materials function in customer, partner, and management reviews.

Qualifications:

• PhD / MTech / BE/B.Tech - Materials Science, Electrochemistry, Chemical Engineering

Experience:

• 4+Years in lithium battery materials and cell manufacturing
• Hands-on experience in lab setup, supplier localization, and scale-up