Senior Manager - Electroplating

About Us

Newtrace is a climate-tech startup crafting next-gen electrolyzers for the wide-scale adoption of affordable green hydrogen. The vision we swear by is simple - to decarbonise our planet, leaving a greener, more sustainable future for generations to come.

We are a fast-growing deep-tech startup with a diverse team of highly specialized PhDs, industry veterans and pedigreed business professionals. We are well funded by marquee investors like PeakXV (formerly Sequoia Capital), Aavishkaar Capital, Axilor Ventures and Speciale Invest.

Started by researchers turned entrepreneurs with experience working in leading European labs - Prasanta, a 2x Marie-curie Fellow and Rochan, a J.N Tata Fellow, Newtrace's team is passionate about solving the world's core problems by innovating in India. Additionally, we've hit post-revenue milestones in less than two years (the shortest time for a deep tech company). Join us as we redefine the boundaries of what's possible and shape the future of deep-tech while paving the way for a more sustainable tomorrow.

Know more about us: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKbXTLKmA_s

Job Description

What you will do:

In this role, your mission will be to lead and scale electroplating and surface treatment operations, ensuring world-class process control, quality, safety, cost efficiency, and compliance. You will be responsible for end-to-end plating operations, from process design and automation to team leadership and continuous improvement.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end electroplating process including process controls, troubleshooting, infrastructure maintenance, surface finishing pre & post treatments, storage and handling of finished products.
• Manage multiple plating lines, including automated and SCADA-controlled systems.
• Define, monitor, and control plating bath parameters, chemical dosing, filtration, temperature, and current density.
• Oversee research & development of new processes including but not limited to Nickel-based plating.
• Drive production planning, manpower allocation, cycle time optimization, and throughput improvements.
• Lead installation, commissioning, automation, and modification of plating equipment and utilities.
• Ensure compliance with customer requirements, safety, and environmental standards.
• Oversee quality testing and validationincluding XRF thickness, salt spray, corrosion testing, Hull cell tests, etc.
• Handle customer complaints, internal rejections, CAPA, 5-Why, and 4M analysis.
• Drive cost optimization, chemical consumption reduction, yield improvement, and finish-wise costing.
• Manage vendor development, chemical sourcing, anode management, and inventory control.
• Oversee ETP operations, waste management, RO/DM water systems, and environmental compliance.
• Lead, train, mentor, and evaluate plating engineers, chemists, supervisors, and operators.
• Collaborate with R&D, Quality, Purchase, Supply Chain, HR, and Finance teams.
• Drive Kaizen, continuous improvement, and process standardization initiatives.
  
  

• 10+ years of experiencein electroplating / surface treatment operations in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong hands-on expertise in electroplating chemistry and process control.
• Experience with automated plating lines, SCADA systems, and plant-scale operations.
• Proven track record in quality systems, audits, and customer-facing roles.
• Educational background in Chemistry / Applied Chemistry / Chemical Engineering or related fields.
  
  

• Experience working with automotive / OEM-approved plating facilities.
• Exposure to greenfield or brownfield plant setup and expansion projects.
• Strong leadership, decision-making, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Cost control, operational excellence, and continuous improvement mindset.
  
  

• Experience in startup or fast-scaling manufacturing environments.
• Willingness to be hands-on and build systems from the ground up.
  
  

• Competitive compensation aligned with industry standards.
• Health insurance and standard leave benefits as per company policy.