Staff Engineer - Mechanical integration

Ohmium

Bengaluru

Description

Job Summary :

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Electrochemical Stack Integration Engineer to lead the integration and optimization of electrolyzer stack architectures. This role focuses on ensuring robust mechanical, electrochemical, and pressure-performance integration across stack layers to achieve superior durability, efficiency, and operability.

The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in load transfer mechanisms, compression behaviour, and torque-induced sealing performance, along with a strong understanding of electrochemical stack physics.

Key Responsibilities :

  • Lead the integration of multi-layer electrolyzer stack components (MEA, PTL, gaskets, bipolar plates) to ensure proper fit, function, and performance.
  • Define and optimize stack compression strategy, including compression windows, tolerances, and assembly sequences.
  • Analyse and control load transfer mechanisms across layers under hydraulic pressing and bolt torquing conditions.
  • Ensure uniform contact pressure distribution to balance sealing integrity, electrical contact resistance, and component durability.
  • Evaluate mechanical behaviour of layers (elastic/plastic deformation, creep, stress relaxation) under assembly and operating conditions.
  • Improve pressure handling capability of the stack, including resistance to leakage, deformation, and mechanical failure.
  • Correlate mechanical compression with electrochemical performance (efficiency, voltage losses, degradation).
  • Develop and use FEA models to predict stress, strain, and contact pressure distribution across the stack.
  • Design and execute validation tests (compression mapping, torque-tension, leak and pressure cycling tests).
  • Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure design robustness, manufacturability, and scalability of stack integration solutions.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Materials Science Engineering or related field
  • Minimum 5 to 10 years of experience in Electrolyzer, fuel cell, batteries or similar electrochemical stack systems and Mechanical integration of multi-layer assemblies.
  • Strong understanding of Stack compression mechanics, Load transfer through layered structures, Torque-preload relationships in bolted joints.
  • Experience with Hydraulic press assembly processes, Gasket sealing mechanics and material behaviour, Porous transport layer (PTL) compression characteristics.
  • Ability to interpret - Stress-strain curves, Contact mechanics, Nonlinear material behaviour.
  • Experience in hydrogen systems (PEM / Alkaline electrolyzers)
  • Knowledge of Sealing technologies (elastomeric, PTFE-based), Surface finish and coating impacts on contact resistance.