Technical Program Manager

The demand for electricity is growing faster than ever, driven by AI data centers and electrification. Solar and wind now generate the lowest cost electricity in many regions, but reliable capacity requires massive growth in energy storage. Lithium-ion batteries have been deployed on the grid, but the world needs solutions that are lower cost, longer lifetime, better safety, and not limited by raw materials availability and foreign supply chains.

At Inlyte, we are driven by a deep-seated belief in human potential. Our team is scaling the breakthrough iron-sodium battery, transforming the proven sodium metal chloride battery technology into a solution to meet energy storage needs of today. Made of iron and table salt, our energy storage systems are built from naturally abundant and inexpensive raw materials. Proven benefits include:

• Low cost
• High efficiency
• Safe for indoor and outdoor use
• Durable, long life in all climates
• "Domestic anywhere" supply chain
• Superior environmental performance

Inlyte Energy is backed by top tier VCs along with large industrial strategic investors and includes the pioneers and world experts on sodium metal chloride batteries on its team.

We are seeking a Technical Program Manager (TPM) to lead the development and deployment of next-generation Iron-Sodium Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). This role will oversee multiple concurrent programs spanning cell development, module and rack integration, and full system deployment for utility-scale and commercial applications.

The TPM will operate at the intersection of electrochemistry, mechanical/electrical engineering, and system integration-driving alignment across R&D, product engineering, manufacturing, and field deployment teams. The ideal candidate brings strong technical depth, program execution rigor, and experience scaling complex energy storage systems from prototype through commercialization.

Key Responsibilities

• End-to-End Program Ownership: Lead multiple customer and grant programs from early-stage requirement definition through prototype builds and commercial deployment.
• Grant Management: Own application and report writing and team coordination to ensure all success metrics are met; assist with grant application project management and non-technical grant compliance such as budget and time management.
• System and Product Integration: Drive alignment between cell performance characteristics and system-level requirements including safety, thermal management, and grid integration.
• Program Planning & Execution: Develop and maintain integrated master schedules, critical paths, and milestone and financial tracking across hardware and software work streams.
• Technical Risk Management: Identify and mitigate risks related to production scale-up, performance, and system reliability.
• Validation & Compliance: Oversee test plans and validation efforts including performance, safety (UL 9540A, IEC standards), environmental, and lifecycle testing.
• Project Management: Project management of field deployments, commissioning, and early-life performance monitoring of installed BESS systems.
• Stakeholder Communication: Provide regular program updates to executive leadership, system integration and deployment partners and customer stakeholders, clearly communicating technical progress, risks, and trade-offs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in technical program management, systems engineering, or product development.
• Experience in energy storage, batteries, or power systems (BESS, EVs, grid infrastructure).
• Demonstrated success managing complex, multi-disciplinary hardware programs.
• Strong understanding of battery fundamentals (electrochemistry, degradation, thermal behavior).
• Experience with system integration (cells modules racks containerized systems).
• Familiarity with program management tools (Asana, Jira, Google Workspace).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with current or battery chemistries
• Knowledge of grid-scale energy storage applications and utility requirements.
• Experience with safety and certification standards (UL 1973, UL 9540, UL 9540A, IEC 62619).
• Background in DFMEA, PFMEA, and reliability engineering.
• Experience scaling products from prototype to mass production.
• PMP or equivalent certification.

Benefits

• Incentive stock options based on Bay Area comps regardless of location
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance and short term disability (100% of employee's insurance premium and 75% of dependents)
• Unlimited PTO policy
• 40 hours of paid sick time
• Hybrid option for Bay Area employees
• Compensation range for Bay Area: $121,000 - $148,000 depending on qualifications, location, and experience