Supervisor, Catalyst Development

FuelCell Energy is redefining how the world produces and uses power. As a leading clean energy technology company, we're helping businesses, communities, utilities, and data centers meet growing energy demands with reliable, always-on power solutions.

With nearly a gigawatt of fuel cell platforms deployed worldwide, we're accelerating the transition to a more resilient energy future. Join a team of innovators, problem-solvers, and industry pioneers who are tackling some of the world's most complex energy challenges while shaping the next generation of sustainable power.

Your work here won't just power facilities. It will help power the future.

The pay for this position ranges from $90000 - $105000.

Summary:

We are seeking a highly motivated Supervisor, Catalyst Development with an advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field to join our catalysis research and development team. This role focuses on the design, development, synthesis, characterization, and performance evaluation of various heterogeneous catalysts for methane reforming (steam methane reforming), fuel cell electrocatalysts, and related energy-materials applications. This is a hands-on laboratory-based supervisory role with responsibility for both direct experimental work and day-to-day technical guidance, coaching, and supervision of one direct report. The successful candidate will drive innovation across catalyst formulation, materials optimization, and process scale-up with vendors, contributing directly to next-generation clean energy and hydrogen production technologies.

                        
Essential Functions/Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as a hands-on technical supervisor for catalyst development activities, including planning and executing laboratory work, troubleshooting experiments, analyzing data, and ensuring timely completion of assigned deliverables.
• Design, synthesize, and characterize heterogeneous catalysts for methane reforming and high temperature fuel cell applications (MCFC, SOFC), or related systems.
• Conduct catalyst activity, selectivity, and stability testing using bench-scale and pilot-scale reactors under realistic operating conditions (temperature, pressure, gas composition).

• Develop test and qualification plans for different concepts under evaluation.

• Employ advanced characterization techniques (XRD, SEM, BET surface area analysis, GC, Mercury porosimetry, etc.) to correlate catalyst structure with performance.
• Investigate deactivation mechanisms (coking, sintering, poisoning) and develop strategies to improve catalyst durability and lifetime.
• Design experiments (DOE), analyze data, and apply statistical/computational tools to accelerate materials discovery and optimization.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and suppliers to support scale-up from lab-scale synthesis to pilot and commercial production.
• Provide day-to-day supervision, technical direction, workload prioritization, coaching, and development support for one direct report, including routine check-ins, performance feedback, and support for annual goal-setting processes.
• Ensure direct report and assigned team activities follow applicable laboratory safety protocols, documentation standards, EHS requirements, and established testing procedures.
• Maintain detailed laboratory records, prepare technical reports, and present findings to internal stakeholders and, where applicable, at scientific conferences.
• Stay current with literature, patents, and emerging trends in catalysis, materials science, and hydrogen/fuel cell technologies.
• Contribute to intellectual property development, including invention disclosures and patent applications.
• Ensure compliance with laboratory safety protocols and environmental, health, and safety (EHS) standards.

Qualifications and Experience:

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Catalysis, or a closely related discipline with 2+ years of relevant academic, postdoctoral, or industrial research experience.

• Demonstrated experience in heterogeneous catalyst design, synthesis, and testing, ideally within methane reforming, syngas production, or fuel cell/electrocatalysis research.
• Strong hands-on experience with catalyst characterization techniques (XRD, TEM/SEM, XPS, BET, chemisorption).
• Solid understanding of reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and reactor engineering principles.
• Experience with reactor systems (fixed-bed, fluidized-bed, or microreactors) and gas analysis techniques (GC, GC-MS).
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and experimental design skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document and present technical findings clearly.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a cross-functional R&D environment.

• Project management experience or history of leading independent research initiatives.

• Experience supervising, mentoring, or providing technical direction to laboratory staff, junior scientists, technicians, interns, or research associates is preferred.
• Experience translating lab-scale catalyst development into pilot-scale, supplier-supported, or commercial production environments is preferred.

Physical Requirements / Work Environment:

• Ability to work in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to chemicals, gases, catalysts, powders, high-temperature equipment, and mechanical/electrical test systems.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, gloves, lab coat, flame-resistant clothing, respiratory protection, and other PPE as required.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and work at laboratory benches or test equipment for extended periods.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull laboratory materials, equipment, or components up to 25 pounds, with assistance or mechanical aids as needed.
• Ability to follow established safety procedures for handling hazardous materials, compressed gases, high-temperature systems, and pressurized equipment.
• Ability to perform work in areas that may involve fumes, dust, odors, noise, heat, or ventilation controls consistent with laboratory operations.
• Regular and consistent on-site attendance is required due to the laboratory-based nature of the role.

All Employees Shall:

• Comply with the EH&S Policy and applicable regulatory and company EH&S rules and requirements.
• Report to supervision conditions or practices that are either unsafe or that may adversely impact the environment, to ensure prompt resolution of potential hazards.
• Attend scheduled EH&S training program.
• Actively support the organization’s efforts to meet or exceed EH&S goals and plans.
• Recommend improved EH&S practices.
• Must maintain regular and consistent attendance.

This Job Description is to serve as a guide. It is intended to be flexible and will continue to evolve over time with business needs and demands and may be updated periodically and at the Company’s discretion. Nothing in this position description changes or is intended to change the employment at-will relationship with the Company or the terms of any collective bargaining agreement. Employment at-will means that an employee or the Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason or no reason at all, with or without notice.

Equal Opportunity Employer

FuelCell Energy is an equal-opportunity employer committed to an inclusive and safe work environment for people of all backgrounds.

We offer a competitive compensation package as well as comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, company-paid life/disability insurance, 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase plan, and generous paid leave.

The successful candidate is required to complete a drug screen, criminal background check, and employment and education verification.

FuelCell Energy, Inc. is committed to ensuring that its application process provides an equal employment opportunity to all U.S. job seekers, including individuals with disabilities.  If you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an application, please send an email with your resume to talentacquisition@fce.com or contact us by calling 860-496-2222. Please indicate the specifics of the assistance needed.

NOTE:   This dedicated phone line and email address are designed exclusively to assist disabled job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Only messages left for this purpose will be acknowledged.  A response to your request may take up to two business days.

No agency submissions please. Resumes submitted to any FuelCell Energy employee without a current, signed and valid contract in place with the FuelCell Energy Recruiting team for this position will become the property of FuelCell Energy and no agency fees will be paid.

For more information about FuelCell Energy and our available openings, please visit our website: https://www.fuelcellenergy.com/careers

We thank all candidates for their interest in a career with FuelCell Energy.  However, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.