Business Development Engineer

South 8 Technologies, Inc. is a fast-growing, well-funded battery company backed by leading global organizations. We have developed a groundbreaking new Liquefied Gas Electrolyte chemistry for next-generation lithium batteries. Our proprietary technology enables a significant increase in energy density, improved safety, and an exceptionally wide operational temperature range. By leveraging conventional materials and established manufacturing processes, South 8 Technologies offers a unique, scalable solution for a variety of defense, e-mobility, energy storage, and industrial applications.

Founded in 2015 and spun out of UC San Diego’s Jacobs School of Engineering, South 8 Technologies is a diverse and dynamic team that values integrity, innovation, and hard work in an environment that encourages creative problem-solving, collaboration, and constructive feedback. Become a critical member of our team and grow alongside us as we redefine the energy landscape. Our company is based in the Bay Park area of San Diego, CA, but this position can be remote.

Position Overview:

South 8 Technologies is seeking a Business Development Engineer with a strong background in battery technologies and with customer-facing experience. This individual will play a crucial role in supporting technical customer development efforts, bridging the gap between customer needs and our technological capabilities. The ideal candidate will have experience in both engineering/scientific work and business development, ensuring seamless communication with potential clients and technical teams alike.

As a Business Development Engineer at South 8, you will work closely with our fast-growing Business Development, Product, and Engineering teams to help shape customer relationships and drive growth. You will leverage your technical knowledge to provide key insights and support in developing customized battery solutions for our customers, contributing to the broader success of South 8's mission.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead outreach and engagement with customers to understand their technical requirements, provide design guidance, and provide clear, concise, and accurate explanations of South 8’s battery technologies and solutions.
• Work closely with the Business Development team to assist in the development of customer proposals, technical documentation, and presentations.
• Collaborate with customer and internal R&D and engineering teams to translate customer needs into actionable product development strategies.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key customers, acting as a liaison between technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Provide technical support to customers, including troubleshooting, product optimization, and training.
• Help shape the company’s business development strategies by providing insights into technical trends, customer feedback, and competitor analysis.
• Represent South 8 at industry conferences, customer meetings, and other business development events.
• Support the creation of technical marketing materials, specification sheets, proposals, and customer success stories that highlight South 8’s technology and value proposition.
• Domestic and international travel to customer and industry locations on an as-needed basis, estimated  25% travel

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field with a strong focus on batteries or energy storage technologies.
• Experience: At least 3-5 years of experience in business development, technical sales, or customer-facing roles in the energy storage, battery, or advanced materials sectors.
• Strong technical understanding of battery technologies, including electrochemistry, materials science, and battery design.
• Proven ability to translate complex technical information into easily and quickly understandable language for non-technical customers, including impromptu situations.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, with experience interacting with both technical and business stakeholders.
• A proactive, self-motivated individual who is willing to serve as the voice of the customer and own resolution of customer questions and issues
• Experience with customer relationship management (CRM) tools and technical documentation platforms.
• Knowledge of battery industry technology trends, emerging technologies, cell engineering, and/or pack design is a plus.
• Fluency in Korean or Japanese is a nice-to-have and should be highlighted.
• Willingness to deliver epic high-fives

At the time of posting, the expected starting salary range for this role is $145K-$173K annually. The actual pay depends on multiple individualized factors, including education, job-related knowledge, experience, and skills, which will be assessed during the interview process. The comprehensive compensation package for this position may also include other elements, such as health benefits, 401k, and company stock options. The base pay range and package is subject to change and may be modified in the future.