Fuel Cell Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Title: Senior 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 fuel for UASs, providing both stealth and long endurance. By merging hydrogen fuel cell propulsion with artificial intelligence and quantum computing innovation, we are creating UAS platform solutions 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.

As we scale our domestic footprint in Winchester, Virginia, we are seeking an energetic, hands-on Fuel Cell Engineer (2) who is not only technically excellent, but also driven, collaborative, and emotionally intelligent-someone who embodies a balance of ambition, humility, and strong interpersonal awareness. This is a rare opportunity to build and innovate at the leading edge of energy, engineering, and UAS technology.

Role Summary:
As a founding Senior Fuel Cell Engineer, you will be a key member of a team developing hydrogen fuel cell stacks and systems with high power-to-weight ratios and high efficiency. You will help translate conceptual designs into real-world products, integrating cells into stacks and controlling system performance across balance-of-plant components.

Beyond technical excellence, success in this role requires:

• A hungry mindset-taking initiative, seeking out challenges, and pushing work forward without waiting to be asked.
• A humble approach-sharing credit, being open to feedback, and prioritizing team success over individual recognition.
• Being smart in collaboration-understanding team dynamics, communicating effectively, and navigating complex cross-functional environments.

Your work will directly influence how our systems integrate into defense, public safety, and commercial sectors, ensuring Heven AeroTech remains the gold standard for rugged, high-performance autonomous systems.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Evaluate the performance of fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies, bipolar plates, gas diffusion layers, and sealing components in single cells up to 10 kW stacks.
• Use modeling tools to optimize components and thermal strategies for the fuel cell system.
• Maintain development laboratory equipment to ensure reliable, high-quality test data.
• Deploy analytical tools to rapidly interpret and act on fuel cell data.
• Evaluate and model COTS system components integrated with fuel cell stacks.
• Support manufacturing through supply chain evaluation, factory acceptance testing, and quality processes.
• Lead and mentor technicians as needed-providing guidance with respect and clarity.

Qualifications & Experience:

Required:

• Master's or Ph.D. in Mechanical, Electrochemical, or Chemical Engineering (or equivalent).
• Minimum of 4 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 transportation or aerospace applications (or similar).
• Ability to translate electrochemical material performance into system-level design through modeling, controls, and engineering insight.
• Proactively identifies problems, takes ownership of outcomes, and consistently looks for ways to improve systems, processes, and team performance.
• Open to feedback, willing to learn from others regardless of title, and committed to collective success over personal recognition.
• Communicates clearly, collaborates effectively across disciplines, and builds strong working relationships in fast-paced, high-stakes environments.
• Ability to work flexibly across engineering, controls, and manufacturing teams.
• Willingness to travel between Virginia sites and to vendors in the U.S. and abroad.
• Ability to obtain a DoD Secret clearance; must qualify as a U.S. Person under ITAR/EAR.

Preferred:

• Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink, GT-SUITE, or Ansys for stack optimization and balance-of-plant design.
• Experience with electrochemical methods (e.g., impedance spectroscopy) and analytical tools (e.g., SEM).
• Familiarity with machine learning techniques for analyzing test results.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work safely and effectively in both laboratory and light manufacturing environments, including around hydrogen systems and test equipment.
• Capability to stand, walk, and move throughout facilities for extended periods during testing, assembly, and troubleshooting activities.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to inspect, assemble, and maintain fuel cell stacks and UAS components.
• Ability to lift and carry equipment, components, or test articles up to 40 lbs, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Sufficient manual dexterity to handle small components, instrumentation, and electrical/mechanical assemblies.
• Ability to use standard laboratory and manufacturing tools, including hand tools and diagnostic equipment.
• Visual acuity to inspect components, read instrumentation, and identify defects or irregularities.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), such as safety glasses, gloves, and other protective gear as needed.
• Ability to work in environments with variable noise levels, temperatures, and proximity to operating machinery.

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.