Document:

EX-10.11

 Exhibit 10.11 

Execution Version 

ESS TECH, INC. 

May 23, 2021 
 Craig Evans 

Delivered Via E-mail – craig.evans@essinc.com 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 
 Dear Craig:

 This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) between you (referred to hereinafter as the
“Executive” or “you”) and Ess Tech, Inc. (the “Company”) sets forth the terms and conditions that shall govern the period of Executive’s employment with the Company
(referred to hereinafter as “Employment” or the “Employment Period”). 
  

	 	1.	 Duties and Scope of Employment.  

(a)    At-Will Employment. The Agreement will become
effective on or about May 23, 2021 (the date this Agreement is fully executed, the “Effective Date”) and shall govern the terms of Executive’s Employment after the Effective Date. Executive’s
Employment with the Company is for no specified period and constitutes “at will” employment. As a result, Executive is free to terminate Employment at any time, with or without advance notice, and for any reason or for no reason, subject
to the termination provisions in Section 6 below. Similarly, the Company is free to terminate Executive’s Employment at any time, with or without advance notice, and with or without Cause (as defined below); provided, however, prior to
terminating Executive for Cause, the Company will provide Executive with written notice detailing the reasons that the Company is terminating Executive for Cause. Furthermore, although terms and conditions of Executive’s Employment with the
Company may change over time, nothing shall change the at-will nature of Executive’s Employment. The Agreement supersedes all prior written and verbal agreements, arrangements or understandings concerning
Executive’s provision of services to the Company. 
 (b)    Position and
Responsibilities. During the Employment Period, the Company agrees to employ Executive in the position of President and Founder. Executive will report to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, and Executive’s primary work location
shall be the Company’s office in Wilsonville, Oregon (the “Oregon Office”); provided that Executive will be required to travel for business reasons as reasonably required by the Company. Executive will
perform the duties and have the responsibilities and authority customarily performed and held by an employee in Executive’s position or as otherwise may be assigned or delegated to Executive by the Chief Executive Officer or Board of Directors
(the “Board”) consistent with Executive’s position. 

 (c)     Term of Agreement. This Agreement will have an
initial term commencing on the Effective Date and will continue through the three (3) year anniversary of your Effective Date (the “Initial Term Expiration Date”); provided that upon the Initial Term Expiration Date, and
each subsequent anniversary of such date, if applicable, the term of your employment under this Agreement will automatically by extended by one (1) year, unless either party hereto provides the other party with written notice as least sixty
(60) days before the Initial Term Expiration Date, or such subsequent anniversary of such date, if applicable, of such party’s decision not to extend the term of employment under this Agreement any further. Notwithstanding the forgoing,
your employment under this Agreement may be terminated at any time before or after the Initial Term Expiration Date, in accordance with Section 1(a) above. Non-renewal of the Agreement by the Company
shall constitute a termination without Cause (as defined below). 
 (d)     Obligations to the Company.
During the Employment Period, Executive shall perform Executive’s duties faithfully and to the best of Executive’s ability and will devote Executive’s full business efforts and time to the Company. During the Employment Period,
without the prior written approval of your Board, except as listed on Exhibit A, Executive shall not render services in any capacity to any other Person and shall not act as a sole proprietor or partner of any other Person or own more than
five percent (5%) of the stock of any other corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive may serve on civic or charitable boards or committees, deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements, teach at educational institutions, or manage
personal investments without advance written consent of your Board; provided that such activities do not individually or in the aggregate interfere with the performance of Executive’s duties under this Agreement or create a potential business
or fiduciary conflict. Executive shall comply with the Company’s policies and rules, as they may be in effect from time to time during Executive’s Employment. 

(e)     Business Opportunities. During Executive’s Employment, Executive shall promptly disclose to the
Company each business opportunity of a type, which based upon its prospects and relationship to the business of the Company or its affiliates, the Company might reasonably consider pursuing. In the event that Executive’s Employment is
terminated for any reason, the Company or its affiliates shall have the exclusive right to participate in or undertake any such opportunity on their own behalf without any involvement by or compensation to Executive under this Agreement. 

2.     Cash and Incentive Compensation.  

(a)     Base Salary. Initially, the Company shall pay Executive, as compensation for Executive’s
services, a base salary at a gross annual rate of $275,000 (the “Initial Base Salary”), less all required tax withholdings and other applicable deductions, in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll procedures.
The annual compensation specified in this subsection (a), together with any modifications in such compensation that the Company may make from time to time, is referred to in this Agreement as the “Base Salary.”
Executive’s Base Salary will be subject to review and adjustments (but no reduction except as permitted without giving rise to Good Reason (as defined herein)) that will be made based upon the Company’s normal performance review practices.
Effective as of the date of any change to Executive’s Base Salary, the Base Salary as so changed shall be considered the new Base Salary 

  
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for all purposes of this Agreement. Effective as of the date the Company consummates the merger with a blank-check company (the “De-SPAC
Closing”), Executive’s Base Salary shall be increased to $400,000 (the “SPAC Base Salary”). 

(b)     Salary True-Up Bonus. If Executive’s Employment
continues through and including the De-SPAC Closing, Executive will receive a one-time cash bonus equal to (x) the base salary Executive would have received from
March 24, 2021 to the De-SPAC Closing, inclusive, if the SPAC Base Salary applied as of his Effective Date less (y) the amount actually paid to Executive as base salary for the period
from the Effective Date to the De-SPAC Closing, inclusive. 
 (c)    
Equity Grants. The Board or Compensation Committee of the Board (including any delegate thereof, the “Committee”) may determine to grant Executive equity awards from time to time as part of the Company’s
executive compensation stud/ies. 
 (d)     Annual Cash Incentive Bonus. Executive will be eligible to be
considered for an annual cash incentive bonus (the “Cash Bonus”) each calendar year during the Employment Period based upon past practice and the achievement of certain objective or subjective criteria (collectively, the
“Performance Goals”). In compliance with all relevant legal requirements and based on Executive’s level within the Company, the Performance Goals for Executive’s Cash Bonus for a particular year will be established
by, and in the sole discretion of, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) or any Compensation Committee of the Board (including any delegate thereof, the “Committee”), as applicable, after
consultation with Executive. The initial target amount for any such Cash Bonus will be up to ninety percent (90%) of Executive’s Base Salary (the “Target Bonus Percentage”), less all required tax withholdings and other
applicable deductions. The determinations of the Board or the Committee, as applicable, with respect to such Cash Bonus or the Target Bonus Percentage shall be final and binding. Executive’s Target Bonus Percentage for any subsequent year may
be adjusted up or down, as determined in the sole discretion of the Board or the Committee, as applicable. Executive shall not earn a Cash Bonus unless Executive is employed by the Company on the date when such Cash Bonus is actually paid by the
Company. For purposes of calculating any bonus, the term Base Salary shall mean the SPAC Base Salary. 
 3.    
Employee Benefits. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to (a) receive paid time off (“PTO”) in accordance with the Company’s PTO policy, as it may be amended from time to time and
(b) participate in the employee benefit plans maintained by the Company and generally available to similarly situated employees of the Company, subject in each case to the generally applicable terms and conditions of the plan or policy in
question and to the determinations of any Person or committee administering such employee benefit plan or policy. The Company reserves the right to cancel or change the employee benefit plans, policies and programs it offers to its employees at any
time. 
 4.     Business Expenses. The Company will reimburse Executive for necessary and reasonable
business expenses incurred in connection with Executive’s duties hereunder upon presentation of an itemized account and appropriate supporting documentation, all in accordance with the Company’s generally applicable policies. 

  
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 5.     Rights Upon Termination. Except as expressly
provided in Section 6, upon the termination of Executive’s Employment, Executive shall only be entitled to (i) the accrued but unpaid Base Salary compensation and PTO, (ii) other benefits earned or accrued and the reimbursements
described in this Agreement or under any Company-provided plans, policies, and arrangements for the period preceding the effective date of the termination of Employment, each in accordance with the governing documents and policies of any such
benefits, reimbursements, plans and arrangements, (iii) any payments of or with respect to equity awards in accordance with the terms of such awards, and (iv) such other compensation or benefits from the Company as may be required by law
(collectively, the “Accrued Benefits”). All Accrued Benefits shall be paid in accordance with applicable law or, as applicable, in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan, program or agreement governing such payment
or benefit. 
 6.     Termination Benefit.  

(a)     Termination without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason Not in Connection with a Change in Control.
If Executive’s Termination Date occurs (x) due to termination by the Company for a reason other than Cause, Executive becoming Disabled or Executive’s death or (y) due to termination by Executive on account of Good Reason, in any
case at any time other than at or during CIC Protective Period, then, subject to Section 7 (other than with respect to the Accrued Benefits), Executive will be entitled to the following: 

(i)     Accrued Benefits. The Company will pay Executive all Accrued Benefits. 

(ii)     Severance Payment. Executive will receive continuing payments of severance pay at a rate equal to
Executive’s Base Salary as in effect immediately prior to the Termination Date (without any reduction therein that constitutes Good Reason), for a period of twelve (12) months from Executive’s Termination Date, less all required tax
withholdings and other applicable deductions, which will be paid in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll procedures commencing on the Release Deadline (as defined in Section 7(a)); provided that the first payment shall include any
amounts that would have been paid to Executive if payment had commenced on the Termination Date. 
 (iii)    
Continued Employee Benefits. A lump sum payment equal to (x) twelve (12) months multiplied by (y) Executive’s monthly premium under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended
(“COBRA”) for Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents as determined on the Termination Date (the “COBRA Payment”). The COBRA Payment will be paid in a single lump sum, less all required tax
withholdings and other applicable deductions, on the Release Deadline. 
 (iv)    
Pro-Rated Bonus Payment. Executive will receive a pro-rated Cash Bonus for the fiscal year in which Executive terminates employment equal to (x) the Cash
Bonus that Executive would have received based on actual performance for such fiscal year if Executive had remained in the employ of the Company for the entire fiscal year multiplied by (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the
number of days Executive was in the employ of the Company during the fiscal year including the termination date and the denominator of which is 365 (the “Pro-Rated Bonus”). The Pro-Rated Bonus, if any, shall be paid at the same time 

  
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annual cash bonuses are paid by the Company to other executives of the Company for the fiscal year that includes the Termination Date, but no later than March 15th of the calendar year following the calendar year that includes the Termination Date. 

(v)     Prior Year Bonus Payment. If Executive’s Termination Date occurs after completion of the performance
period for a Cash Bonus, but prior to payment, Executive will receive the bonus for the prior year based on actual performance at the time bonuses are otherwise paid for such year, but in no event later than March 15th following the year including
the Termination Date. 
 (vi)     Time-Based Equity Acceleration. Executive’s unvested and outstanding
equity awards that vest solely based on time and that would have become vested had Executive remained in the employ of the Company for the six (6)-month period following the Termination Date shall immediately vest and, if applicable, become
exercisable as of the Termination Date. 
 (b)     Termination without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason in
Connection with a Change in Control. If, during the one (1)-month period immediately prior to (or otherwise in connection with or in anticipation of a Change of Control), on or during the twelve (12)-month period immediately following, a
Change of Control (such period, the “CIC Protective Period”), Executive’s Termination Date occurs (x) due to termination by the Company for a reason other than Cause, Executive becoming Disabled or Executive’s
death, or (y) Executive resigns from such employment for Good Reason, then, subject to Section 7 (other than with respect to the Accrued Benefits), Executive will receive the following severance benefits from the Company in lieu of the
benefits described in Section 6(a) above: 
 (i)     Accrued Benefits. The Company will pay Executive all
Accrued Benefits. 
 (ii)     Severance Payment. Executive will receive continuing payments of severance pay at
a rate equal to Executive’s Base Salary as in effect immediately prior to the Termination Date (without any reduction therein that constitutes Good Reason), for a period of eighteen (18) months from Executive’s Termination Date, less
all required tax withholdings and other applicable deductions, which will be paid in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll procedures commencing on the Release Deadline (as defined in Section 7(a)); provided that the first payment
shall include any amounts that would have been paid to Executive if payment had commenced on the Termination Date. 

(iii)     Continued Employee Benefits. A lump sum payment equal to (x) eighteen (18) months multiplied
by (y) Executive’s monthly premium under COBRA for Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents as determined on the Termination Date (the “CIC COBRA Payment”). The CIC COBRA Payment will be paid in a
single lump sum, less all required tax withholdings and other applicable deductions, on the Release Deadline. 

(iv)     Pro-Rated Bonus Payment. Executive will receive the Pro-Rated Bonus, as described in Section 6(b)(iv) above. 

  
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 (v)     Prior Year Bonus Payment. If Executive’s
Termination Date occurs after completion of the performance period for a Cash Bonus, but prior to payment, Executive will receive the bonus for the prior year based on actual performance at the time bonuses are otherwise paid for such year, but in
no event later than March 15th following the year including the Termination Date. 
 (vi)     Equity
Acceleration. One hundred percent (100%) of Executive’s unvested and outstanding equity awards held with respect to the Company shall become vested and, to the extent applicable, exercisable as of the Termination Date; provided, that with
respect to any performance-based equity awards the vesting acceleration hereunder shall be at one hundred percent (100%) of target. 

(c)     Disability; Death; Voluntary Resignation; Termination for Cause. If Executive’s Termination
Date occurs due to (i) Executive becoming Disabled or Executive’s death, (ii) Executive’s voluntary resignation (other than for Good Reason), or (iii) the Company’s termination of Executive’s employment with the
Company for Cause, then Executive or Executive’s estate (as the case may be) will receive the Accrued Benefits, but will not be entitled to any other compensation or benefits from the Company except to the extent required by law or the express
terms of an employee benefit plan (for example, COBRA). 
 (d)     Exclusive Remedy. In the event of a
termination of Executive’s employment with the Company (or any parent, subsidiary or successor of the Company), the provisions of this Section 6 are intended to be and are exclusive and in lieu of any other rights or remedies to which
Executive may otherwise be entitled, whether at law, tort or contract, in equity, or under this Agreement (other than the Accrued Benefits and other payments and benefits required by applicable law.) Executive will be entitled to no other severance,
benefits, compensation or other payments or rights upon a termination of employment, including, without limitation, any severance payments and/or benefits provided in this Agreement, other than the Accrued Benefits, those benefits expressly set
forth in Section 6 or pursuant to written equity award agreements with the Company. 
 (e)     Timing of
Payments. Subject to any specific timing provisions in Section 6(a), 6(b), or 6(c), as applicable, or the provisions of Section 7, payment of the severance and benefits hereunder shall be made or commence to be made as soon as
practicable following Executive’s termination of employment 
 (f)     No Duty to Mitigate. Executive
will not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor will any earnings that Executive may receive from any other source reduce any such payment. 

7.     Conditions to Receipt of Severance. 

(a)     Release of Claims Agreement. The receipt of any severance payments or benefits pursuant to
Section 6 of this Agreement (other than Accrued Benefits) is subject to Executive signing and not revoking a separation agreement and release of claims in a form acceptable to the Company (the “Release”), which must
become effective no later than the sixtieth (60th) day following Executive’s Termination Date (the “Release Deadline”). If the 

  
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Release is not effective by the Release Deadline, Executive will forfeit any right to severance payments or benefits under Section 6 of this Agreement (other than Accrued Benefits). Subject
to the foregoing, to become effective, the Release must be executed by Executive (or his representative in the event of his death or Disability following the Termination Date) and any revocation periods (as required by statute, regulation, or
otherwise) must have expired without Executive (or his representative, if applicable) having revoked the Release. Without regard to any special timing provisions set forth in Section 6, any severance payments or benefits under Section 6 of
this Agreement (other than Accrued Benefits) that are not Deferred Payments (as defined in Section 7(d)(i)) will be paid or commence on the first payroll date following the date on which the Release becomes effective unless the Release Deadline
would have occurred in a subsequent calendar year to the date on which the Release becomes effective in which case the severance payments and benefits that are not Deferred Payments shall be paid or commence on the first payroll period of the
calendar year following the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs. For the avoidance of doubt, Accrued Benefits are not subject to the provisions of this subsection 7(a). 

(b)     Restrictive Covenants. The receipt of any termination benefits pursuant to Section 6 will be
subject to Executive not violating the provisions of Section 9. In the event Executive breaches the provisions of Section 9, all continuing payments and benefits to which Executive may otherwise be entitled pursuant to Section 6 will
immediately cease 
 (c)     Confidential Information Agreement. Executive’s receipt of any payments
or benefits under Section 6 will be subject to Executive continuing to comply with the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement (as defined in Section 10 below). 

(d)     Section 409A. 

(i)     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no severance pay or benefits to be paid or provided
to Executive, if any, pursuant to this Agreement that, when considered together with any other severance payments or separation benefits, are considered deferred compensation not exempt under Section 409A (together, the “Deferred
Payments”) will be paid or otherwise provided until Executive has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A and for purposes of this Agreement, any reference to “termination of employment,”
“termination” or any similar term shall be construed to mean a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A. 

(ii)     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is a “specified
employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of Executive’s termination of employment (other than due to death), then the Deferred Payments, if any, that are payable within the first six (6) months following
Executive’s separation from service, will become payable on the first payroll date that occurs on or after the date six (6) months and one (1) day following the date of Executive’s separation from service. All subsequent Deferred
Payments, if any, will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if Executive dies following Executive’s separation from service, but prior to the
six (6) month anniversary of the separation from service, then any payments delayed in accordance with this paragraph will be payable in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable after the date of 

  
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Executive’s death and all other Deferred Payments will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Each payment, installment and benefit payable
under this Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Section 1.409A-2(b)(2) of the Treasury Regulations. 

(iii)     Without limitation, any amount paid under this Agreement that satisfies the requirements of the
“short-term deferral” rule set forth in Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) of the Treasury Regulations is not intended to constitute Deferred Payments for purposes of clause (i) above. 

(iv)     Without limitation, any amount paid under this Agreement that qualifies as a payment made as a result of an
involuntary separation from service pursuant to Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) of the Treasury Regulations that does not exceed the Section 409A Limit is not intended to constitute Deferred Payments for
purposes of clause (i) above. Any payment intended to qualify under this exemption must be made within the allowable time period specified in Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) of the Treasury Regulations.

 (v)     Notwithstanding the payment provisions of Section 6, in the event and to the extent that the form of
the severance benefit or payment to be provided after a Change in Control is different than the form of such severance benefit or payment to be provided prior to a Change in Control and if the applicable severance benefit or payment is a Deferred
Payment, then the form of post-Change in Control severance benefit or payment shall be given effect only to the extent permitted by Section 409A of the Code and otherwise such post-Change in Control severance benefit or payment shall be
provided in the same form that applies prior to the Change in Control. 
 (vi)     To the extent that reimbursements or
in-kind benefits under this Agreement constitute non-exempt “nonqualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A, (1) all reimbursements
hereunder shall be made on or prior to the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred by Executive, (2) any right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits
shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, and (3) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided in any calendar year shall not in any way affect
the expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other calendar year. 

(vii)     The payments and benefits provided under this Agreement are intended to be exempt from or comply with the
requirements of Section 409A so that none of the payments or benefits to be provided hereunder will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities or ambiguous terms herein will be interpreted to be exempt
or so comply. The Company and Executive agree to work together in good faith to consider amendments to this Agreement and to take such reasonable actions that are necessary, appropriate or desirable to avoid imposition of any additional tax or
income recognition prior to actual payment to Executive under Section 409A. 

  
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 8.    Definition of Terms. The following terms referred to
in this Agreement will have the following meanings: 
 (a)    Cause. “Cause” means: 

(i)    Executive’s gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of his duties and responsibilities to
the Company or Executive’s material violation of any written Company policy; 
 (ii)    Executive’s
commission of any act of fraud, theft, embezzlement, financial dishonesty, misappropriation from the Company or any other willful misconduct that has caused or is reasonably expected to result in material injury to the Company; 

(iii)    Executive’s conviction of, or pleading guilty or nolo contendre to, any felony or a lesser crime involving,
fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude; 
 (iv)    Executive’s unlawful use (including being under the influence) or
possession of illegal drugs on the premises of the Company or while performing Executive’s duties and responsibilities for the Company; 

(v)    Executive’s unauthorized use or disclosure of any proprietary information or trade secrets of the Company or
any other party to whom Executive owes an obligation of nondisclosure as a result of his or her relationship with the Company; or 

(vi)    Executive’s material breach of any of his or her obligations under any written agreement or covenant with
the Company. 
 (b)    Change in Control. Change in Control” shall have the meaning ascribed
to such term in the Company’s Equity Plan; provided, however, that the De-SPAC Closing or a fully-underwritten initial public offering shall not constitute a Change in Control for purposes of this
Agreement. 
 (c)    Code. “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 (d)    Company Equity Plan. Means the Current Equity Plan and/or the New SPAC Equity Plan, as
applicable. 
 (e)    Current Equity Plan. “Current Equity Plan” means the Company’s
current equity incentive plan in place as of the date of this Agreement. 
 (f)    Disability.
“Disability” or “Disabled” means that Executive is unable to engage in the essential functions of his or her position by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death
or which has lasted for a continuous period of not less than one (1) year. 

  
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 (g)    Good Reason. “Good Reason” means
Executive’s termination of employment within thirty (30) days following the expiration of any cure period (discussed below) following the occurrence of one or more of the following, without Executive’s written consent: 

(i)    A material reduction of Executive’s duties, authority or responsibilities, relative to Executive’s
duties, authority or responsibilities in effect immediately prior to such reduction; provided, however, that a reduction in duties, authority or responsibilities solely by virtue of the Company being acquired and made part of a larger entity (as,
for example, when the CEO of the Company remains as such following a Change in Control but is not made the CEO of the acquiring corporation) will not constitute Good Reason; 

(ii)    A material reduction in Executive’s Base Salary (except where there is a reduction applicable to all
similarly situated executive officers generally); provided, that a reduction of less than ten percent (10%) will not be considered a material reduction in Base Salary; or 

(iii)    A material change in the geographic location of Executive’s primary work facility or location; provided,
that a relocation of less than fifty (50) miles from Executive’s then-present work location will not be considered a material change in geographic location. 

Executive will not resign for Good Reason without first providing the Company with written notice of the acts or omissions constituting the
grounds for Good Reason within thirty (30) days of the initial existence of the grounds for Good Reason and a reasonable cure period of not less than thirty (30) days following the date the Company receives such notice during which such
condition must not have been cured. 
 (h)    Governmental Authority. “Governmental
Authority” means any federal, state, municipal, foreign or other government, governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, or any private or public court or tribunal. 

(i)    New SPAC Equity Plan. “New SPAC Equity Plan” means the new omnibus equity incentive
plan to be adopted in connection with the De-SPAC Closing. 

(j)    Person. “Person” shall be construed in the broadest sense and means and includes any
natural person, a partnership, a corporation, an association, a joint stock company, a limited liability company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization and other entity or Governmental Authority. 

(k)    Section 409A. “Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code, and the
final regulations and any guidance promulgated thereunder or any state law equivalent. 
 (l)    Section 409A
Limit. “Section 409A Limit” shall mean two (2) times the lesser of: (i) Executive’s annualized compensation based upon the annual rate of pay paid to Executive during Executive’s taxable year
preceding Executive’s taxable year of his or her separation from service as determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A)(1) and any Internal Revenue Service guidance issued
with respect thereto; or (ii) the maximum amount that may be taken into account under a qualified plan pursuant to Section 401(a)(17) of the Code for the year in which Executive’s separation from service occurred. 

(m)    Termination Date. “Termination Date” means the date on which Executive’s
employment with the Company and its affiliates terminates for any reason. For purposes of the payment of severance payments and benefits pursuant to Section 6 hereof, the Termination Date shall also be required to constitute a termination of
employment with the Company within the meaning of Section 409A. 

  
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 9.    Restrictive Covenants.  

(a)    Non-Solicitation. During the period commencing on the date of this
Agreement and continuing until for the eighteen (18) month period following the date when Executive’s Employment terminated for any reason (the “Restricted Period”),
Executive shall not directly or indirectly, personally or through others, solicit, recruit or attempt to solicit or recruit (on Executive’s own behalf or on behalf of any other Person) either (i) any current employee or any consultant of
the Company or any of the Company’s affiliates, (ii) any former employee or consultant of the Company or any of the Company’s affiliates who left the Company’s (or such affiliate’s) service within the six (6) months
preceding the Executive’s termination date, or (iii) the business of any customer of the Company or any of the Company’s affiliates on whom Executive called or with whom Executive became acquainted during Executive’s Employment.
Executive represents that Executive is (i) familiar with the foregoing covenant not to solicit, and (ii) fully aware of Executive’s obligations hereunder, including, without limitation, the reasonableness of the length of time, scope
and geographic coverage of these covenants. 
 (b)    Non-Disparagement.
Executive shall not make any remarks disparaging the conduct or character of the Company, any of the Company’s affiliates, any of the Company’s or any Company affiliates’ current or former employees, officers, directors, successors or
assigns, except as explicitly allowed under the Oregon Workplace Fairness Act. 
 (c)    Cooperation. Following
the Termination Date, the Executive shall, without further compensation, cooperate with and assist the Company in the investigation of, preparation for or defense of any actual or threatened third party claim, investigation or proceeding involving
the Company or its predecessors or affiliates and arising from or relating to, in whole or in part, the Executive’s employment with the Company or its predecessors or affiliates for which the Company requests the Executive’s assistance,
which cooperation and assistance shall include, but not be limited to, providing truthful testimony and assisting in information and document gathering efforts. In connection herewith, it is agreed that the Company will use its reasonable best
efforts to assure that any request for such cooperation will not unduly interfere with the Executive’s other material business and personal obligations and commitments and will pay Executive a reasonable sum for his time. Executive will be
reimbursed for any travel expenses related to the Executive’s compliance with this Section 14. 

10.    Golden Parachute.

(a)    Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if any payment or benefit Executive would receive from
the Company or otherwise (“Payment”) would (i) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code; and (ii) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise
tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then such Payment shall be equal to the Reduced Amount. The “Reduced Amount”
shall be either (x) the largest portion of the Payment that would result in no portion of 

  
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the Payment being subject to the Excise Tax; or (y) the largest portion, up to and including the total, of the Payment, whichever amount, after taking into account all applicable federal,
state and local employment taxes, income taxes, and the Excise Tax (all computed at the highest applicable marginal rate), results in Executive’s receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greater amount of
the Payment. Any reduction made pursuant to this Section 10(a) shall be made in accordance with the following order of priority: (i) stock options whose exercise price exceeds the fair market value of the optioned stock
(“Underwater Options”) (ii) Full Credit Payments (as defined below) that are payable in cash, (iii) non-cash Full Credit Payments that are taxable, (iv) non-cash Full Credit Payments that are not taxable, (v) Partial Credit Payments (as defined below) and (vi) non-cash employee welfare benefits. In each
case, reductions shall be made in reverse chronological order such that the payment or benefit owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering the excise tax will be the first payment or benefit to be reduced (with
reductions made pro-rata in the event payments or benefits are owed at the same time). “Full Credit Payment” means a payment, distribution or benefit,
whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, that if reduced in value by one dollar reduces the amount of the parachute payment (as defined in Section 280G of the Code) by one
dollar, determined as if such payment, distribution or benefit had been paid or distributed on the date of the event triggering the excise tax. “Partial Credit Payment” means any payment,
distribution or benefit that is not a Full Credit Payment. 
 (b)    A nationally recognized certified public accounting
firm or other qualified entity selected by the Company (the “280G Firm”) shall perform the foregoing calculations related to the Excise Tax. If a reduction is required pursuant to
Section 10(a), the 280G Firm shall administer the ordering of the reduction as set forth in Section 10(a). The Company shall bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such 280G Firm required to be made hereunder. 

(c)    The 280G Firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder shall provide its calculations, together with detailed
supporting documentation, to Executive and the Company within fifteen (15) calendar days after the date on which Executive’s right to a Payment is triggered. Any good faith determinations of the 280G Firm made hereunder shall be final,
binding, and conclusive upon Executive and the Company. 
 11.    Confidentiality Agreement.
Executive’s acceptance of this offer and Executive’s continued Employment with the Company is contingent upon the execution, and delivery to an officer of the Company, of the Company’s Employee Proprietary Information and Invention
Assignment Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Attachment A for Executive’s review and execution (the “Confidentiality Agreement”), prior to or on Executive’s
Effective Date. 
 12.    Arbitration. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Executive
and the Company agree that any and all disputes, demands, claims, or controversies (“claims”) relating to, arising from or regarding Executive’s employment, including claims by the Company, claims against the Company,
and claims against any current or former parent, affiliate, subsidiary, successor or predecessor of the Company, and each of the Company’s and these entities’ respective officers, directors, agents or employees, shall be resolved by final
and binding arbitration before a single arbitrator in Clackamas County, Oregon (or another mutually 

  
 -12- 

 
agreeable location). This does not prevent either Executive or the Company from seeking and obtaining temporary or preliminary injunctive relief in court to prevent irreparable harm to
Executive’s or its confidential information or trade secrets pending the conclusion of any arbitration. This arbitration agreement does not apply to any claims that have been expressly excluded from arbitration by a governing law not preempted
by the Federal Arbitration Act and does not restrict or preclude Executive from communicating with, filing an administrative charge or claim with, or providing testimony to any governmental entity about any actual or potential violation of law or
obtaining relief through a government agency process. The parties hereto agree that claims shall be resolved on an individual basis only, and not on a class, collective, or representative basis on behalf of other employees to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law (“Class Waiver”). Any claim that all or part of the Class Waiver is invalid, unenforceable, or unconscionable may be determined only by a court.
In no case may class, collective or representative claims proceed in arbitration on behalf of other employees. 
 The parties agree that the arbitration
shall be conducted by a single neutral arbitrator through JAMS in accordance with JAMS Employment Arbitration Rules and Procedures (available at www.jamsadr.com/rules-employment-arbitration). Except as to the Class Waiver, the arbitrator shall
determine arbitrability. The Company will bear all JAMS arbitration fees and administrative costs in excess of the amount of administrative fees and costs that Executive otherwise would have been required to pay if the claims were litigated in
court. The arbitrator shall apply the applicable substantive law in deciding the claims at issue. Claims will be governed by their applicable statute of limitations and failure to demand arbitration within the prescribed time period shall bar the
claims as provided by law. The decision or award of the arbitrator shall be final and binding upon the parties. This arbitration agreement is enforceable under and governed by the Federal Arbitration Act. In the event that any portion of this
arbitration agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, any such provision shall be severed, and the remainder of this arbitration agreement will be given full force and effect. By signing the offer letter, Executive acknowledges and agrees
that Executive has read this arbitration agreement carefully, are bound by it and are WAIVING ANY RIGHT TO HAVE A TRIAL BEFORE A COURT OR JURY OF ANY AND ALL CLAIMS SUBJECT TO ARBITRATION UNDER THIS ARBITRATION AGREEMENT. 

13.    Miscellaneous Provisions.  

(a)    Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify Executive to the maximum extent permitted
by applicable law and the Company’s Bylaws with respect to Executive’s service and Executive shall also be covered under a directors and officers liability insurance policy paid for by the Company to the extent that the Company maintains
such a liability insurance policy now or in the future. Executive agrees to indemnify and save Company and its affiliates harmless from any damages, which Company may sustain in any manner primarily through Executive’s willful misconduct or
gross negligence or a material breach of the provisions of this Agreement. 
 (b)    Headings. All
captions and section headings used in this Agreement are for convenient reference only and do not form a part of this Agreement. 

  
 -13- 

 (c)    Notice. 

(i)    General. Notices and all other communications contemplated by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall
be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or when mailed by U.S. registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid. In Executive’s case, mailed notices shall be addressed to Executive at the home
address that Executive most recently communicated to the Company in writing. In the case of the Company, mailed notices shall be addressed to its corporate headquarters, and all notices shall be directed to the attention of its Secretary. 

(ii)    Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause or by Executive for Good Reason will be
communicated by a notice of termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 13(c)(i) of this Agreement. Such notice will indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, will set forth in
reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination under the provision so indicated, and will specify the Termination Date (which will be not more than thirty (30) days after the giving of such notice),
subject to any applicable cure period. The failure by Executive or the Company to include in the notice any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause, as applicable, will not waive any right of Executive or the
Company, as applicable, hereunder or preclude Executive or the Company, as applicable, from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing his or her or its rights hereunder, as applicable. 

(d)    Modifications and Waivers. No provision of this Agreement shall be modified, waived or discharged
unless the modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by Executive and by an authorized officer of the Company (other than Executive). No waiver by either party of any breach of, or of compliance with, any condition or
provision of this Agreement by the other party shall be considered a waiver of any other condition or provision or of the same condition or provision at another time. 

(e)    Whole Agreement. No other agreements, representations or understandings (whether oral or written and
whether express or implied) that are not expressly set forth in this Agreement have been made or entered into by either party with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement contain the entire
understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. 
 (f)    Withholding Taxes. All
payments made under this Agreement shall be subject to reduction to reflect taxes or other deductions required to be withheld by law. 

(g)    Choice of Law and Severability. This Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with the laws of
the State of Oregon without giving effect to provisions governing the choice of law. If any provision of this Agreement becomes or is deemed invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any applicable jurisdiction by reason of the scope, extent or duration
of its coverage, then such provision shall be deemed amended to the minimum extent necessary to conform to applicable law so as to be valid and enforceable or, if such provision cannot be so amended without materially altering the intention of the
parties, then such provision shall be stricken and the remainder of this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect. If any provision of this Agreement is rendered illegal by any present or future statute, law, ordinance or

  
 -14- 

 
regulation (collectively, the “Law”) then that provision shall be curtailed or limited only to the minimum extent necessary to bring the provision into compliance with the
Law. All the other terms and provisions of this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect without impairment or limitation. 

(h)    No Assignment. This Agreement and all of Executive’s rights and obligations hereunder are
personal to Executive and may not be transferred or assigned by Executive at any time. The Company may assign its rights under this Agreement to any entity that assumes the Company’s obligations hereunder in connection with any sale or transfer
to such entity of all or a substantial portion of the Company’s assets. 
 (i)    Opportunity to Consult with
Counsel. Executive acknowledges that he has had an opportunity to consult with and be represented by counsel of the Executive’s choosing in the review of this Agreement, that he has been advised by the Company to do so, that he
is fully aware of the contents of the Agreement and of its legal effect, that the preceding paragraphs recite the sole consideration for this Agreement, and that he enters into this Agreement freely, without duress or coercion, and based on his own
judgment and wishes and not in reliance upon any representation or promise made by the Company, other than those contained herein. Executive agrees that for purposes of California Labor Code Section 925 that the Executive has been in fact
individually represented by legal counsel in negotiating the terms of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the designation of Oregon as the choice of law for purposes of this Agreement. 

(j)    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Execution of a facsimile or electronic copy will have the same force and effect as execution of an original, and a facsimile or electronic signature will be
deemed an original and valid signature. 
 (k)    Electronic Delivery. The Company may, in its sole
discretion, decide to deliver any documents or notices related to this letter, securities of the Company or any of its affiliates or any other matter, including documents and/or notices required to be delivered to Executive by applicable securities
law or any other law or the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws by email or any other electronic means. Executive hereby consents to (i) conduct business electronically (ii) receive such documents and notices by such
electronic delivery and (iii) sign documents electronically and agree to participate through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or a third party designated by the
Company. 
 [Signature Page Follows] 

  
 -15- 

 After you have had an opportunity to review this Agreement, please feel free to contact me
if you have any questions or comments. To indicate your acceptance of this Agreement, please sign and date this letter in the space provided below and return it to the Company. 

 

			
	 Very truly yours,

	
	 ESS TECH, INC.

		
	 By:
	 	 /s/ Michael R. Niggli

		 	(Signature)
		
	 Name:
	 	Michael R. Niggli
		
	 Title:
	 	Chairman of the Board

  

	
	ACCEPTED AND AGREED:
	
	CRAIG EVANS
	
	 /s/ Craig Evans

	(Signature)
	
	 5/23/2021

	Date

 Attachment A: Employee Proprietary Information and Invention Assignment Agreement 

  
 -16- 

 ATTACHMENT A 

EMPLOYEE PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND INVENTION ASSIGNMENT 

AGREEMENT 
 (See
Attached) 

  
 -17- 

					
		  		  	

	Certificate Of Completion	  		  	
		
	Envelope Id: 310595574F0A45CA887E818637A317AA	  	Status: Completed
	Subject: Please DocuSign: Ess Tech - Evans Executive Employment Agreement.pdf	  	
	Source Envelope:	  		  	
	Document Pages: 17	  	Signatures: 2	  	Envelope Originator:
	Certificate Pages: 5	  	Initials: 0	  	Jason Flaherty
	AutoNav: Enabled	  		  	405 Howard ST
	EnvelopeId Stamping: Disabled	  		  	San Francisco, 94105
	Time Zone: (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)	  	jflaherty@orrick.com
		  		  	IP Address: 8.42.196.2
			
	Record Tracking	  		  	
			
	 Status: Original
	  	Holder: Jason Flaherty	  	Location: DocuSign
	            5/23/2021 8:00:10 AM	  	             jflaherty@orrick.com	  	
			
	Signer Events	  	Signature	  	Timestamp
			
	Craig Evans	  	/s/ Craig Evans	  	Sent: 5/23/2021 8:02:48 AM
	craig.evans@essinc.com	  		  	Viewed: 5/23/2021 3:19:55 PM
	Security Level: Email, Account Authentication	  	Signed: 5/23/2021 3:20:02 PM
	(None)	  		  	
		  	Signature Adoption: Pre-selected Style	  	
		  	Using IP Address: 70.102.73.36	  	
		
	Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure:	  	
			
	    Accepted: 5/23/2021 3:19:55 PM	  		  	
	    ID: a11dabb2-5b46-49f6-a1c8-f634b3bd8f5d	  		  	
			
	Michael R Niggli	  	/s/ Michael R Niggli	  	Sent: 5/23/2021 8:02:48 AM
	Mike.Niggli@essinc.com	  		  	Viewed: 5/24/2021 7:13:00 AM
	Chairman of the Board	  		  	Signed: 5/24/2021 7:14:48 AM
	Security Level: Email, Account Authentication	  		  	
	(None)	  	Signature Adoption: Pre-selected Style	  	
		  	Using IP Address: 71.221.247.105	  	
			
	Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure:	  		  	
			
	    Accepted: 5/24/2021 7:13:00 AM	  		  	
	    ID: c198336c-a6f6-45c9-bdf7-60a50efeef21	  		  	
			
	In Person Signer Events	  	Signature	  	Timestamp
			
	Editor Delivery Events	  	Status	  	Timestamp
			
	Agent Delivery Events	  	Status	  	Timestamp
			
	Intermediary Delivery Events	  	Status	  	Timestamp
			
	Certified Delivery Events	  	Status	  	Timestamp
			
	Carbon Copy Events	  	Status	  	Timestamp
			
	Jason Flaherty	  	[COPIED]	  	Sent: 5/23/2021 8:02:48 AM
	jflaherty@orrick.com	  		  	Resent: 5/24/2021 7:14:49 AM
	Partner	  		  	Viewed: 5/24/2021 7:44:33 AM
	Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP	  		  	
	Security Level: Email, Account Authentication	  		  	
	(None)	  		  	
	Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure:	  		  	
	    Not Offered via DocuSign	  		  	

					
	Carbon Copy Events	  	Status	  	Timestamp
			
	Kyle Teamey	  	[COPIED]	  	Sent: 5/23/2021 8:02:48 AM
	kyle@b-t.energy	  		  	Viewed: 5/23/2021 12:14:05 PM
	Security Level: Email, Account Authentication	  		  	
	(None)	  		  	
	Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure:	  	 	  	 
	    Accepted: 2/26/2021 9:11:58 AM	  		  	
	    ID: 1b9615ed-4bfa-4034-8efe-66723463e8d0	  		  	
			
	Witness Events	  	Signature	  	Timestamp
			
	Notary Events	  	Signature	  	Timestamp
			
	Envelope Summary Events	  	Status	  	Timestamps
			
	Envelope Sent	  	Hashed/Encrypted	  	5/23/2021 8:02:48 AM
	Certified Delivered	  	Security Checked	  	5/24/2021 7:13:00 AM
	Signing Complete	  	Security Checked	  	5/24/2021 7:14:48 AM
	Completed	  	Security Checked	  	5/24/2021 7:14:48 AM
			
	Payment Events	  	Status	  	Timestamps
		
	Electronic Record and Signature Disclosure	  	

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relationship with Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP or any sending party.EX-10.12

 Exhibit 10.12 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 

This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into effective as of March 3, 2015 (the “Effective
Date”), by and between Yang Song (the “Employee”) and ESS Tech, Inc. (the “Company”). 
 In consideration of the
mutual covenants herein contained, the continuing employment of the Employee by the Company, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows: 

1. Duties and Scope of Employment. The Company shall employ Employee in the position of Chief Technology Officer. Employee will render
such business and professional services in the performance of her duties, consistent with Employee’s position within the Company, as shall reasonably be assigned to him by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). Only the
Board shall have the right to revise such responsibilities from time to time, as the Board deems necessary or appropriate. 
 2.
Obligations. While employed hereunder, Employee will perform her duties faithfully and to the best of her ability. Employee agrees not to actively engage in any other employment, occupation or consulting activity for any direct or indirect
remuneration without the prior approval of the Board; provided, however, that Employee may engage in non-competitive business or charitable activities so long as such activities do not materially interfere
with Employee’s responsibilities to the Company. Outside board seats shall be subject to the prior approval of the Board. 
 3.
RESERVED. 
 4. Employment Term. Employee’s employment with the Company pursuant to this Agreement shall commence on the
Effective Date and shall continue on an “at-will” basis until terminated pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement, and subject to the severance provisions therein. 

5. Compensation and Benefits. 

(a) Base Compensation. The Company shall pay Employee as compensation for Employee’s services hereunder an annual base salary of
$125,000.00. Such salary shall be subject to applicable tax withholding and shall be paid periodically in accordance with normal Company payroll practices. The base salary shall be subject to annual review by the Board but in no event shall be less
than $125,000.00. 
 (b) Incentive Bonus. Employee will be eligible to earn a target bonus for each calendar year in which she is
employed, commencing with calendar year 2015, based on the achievement of certain Company performance goals, as determined by the Board, and certain Employee performance goals, as mutually agreed to by Employee and the Board. The target bonus and
performance goals for 2015 shall be established within 

 sixty (60) days of the Effective Date and, with respect to future years, within sixty (60) days of
the start of each calendar year. If earned, the initial target bonus for 2015 shall be paid no later than thirty (30) days of the first anniversary of the Effective Date. Each subsequent bonus shall be paid in the immediately following calendar
year, no later than March 15th of such year. 
 (c) Benefits. Employee shall be eligible to participate in the employee benefit plans
which are available or which become available to other employees of the Company, with the adoption or maintenance of such plans to be in the discretion of the Company, subject in each case to the generally applicable terms and conditions of the plan
or program in question and to the determination of any committee administering such plan or program. Such benefits will include participation in any Company medical, life, disability, and/or retirement plans, and any supplemental plans available to
senior executives of the Company from time to time. Employee will also be entitled to paid vacation of three (3) weeks per year, with the timing and duration of specific vacations mutually and reasonably agreed to by the parties hereto. The
Company reserves the right to change or terminate its employee benefit plans and programs at any time, not including incentive bonuses established pursuant to Section 5(b) of this Agreement, severance or death benefits established pursuant to
Section 6 of this Agreement, any other bonus or severance arrangements to which Employee might otherwise be entitled, or any outstanding equity rights or awards granted to Employee. 

(d) Expenses. The Company will reimburse Employee for reasonable business expenses incurred by Employee in the furtherance of or in
connection with the performance of Employee’s duties hereunder, in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy as in effect from time to time. 

6. Termination of Employment. 

(a) Termination by Company for Cause; Voluntary Termination. In the event Employee’s employment with the Company is terminated for
“Cause” (as defined herein) by the Company or voluntarily by Employee (i) the Company shall pay Employee any unpaid base salary due for periods prior to the date of termination of employment (“Termination Date”); (ii) the
Company shall pay Employee all of Employee’s accrued and unused vacation through the Termination Date; and (iii) following submission of proper expense reports by Employee, the Company shall reimburse Employee for all expenses reasonably and
necessarily incurred by Employee in connection with the business of the Company prior to termination. These payments shall be made promptly upon termination and within the period of time mandated by applicable law. 

(b) Termination by Company without Cause. The Company may terminate Employee’s employment without Cause upon thirty (30) days
written notice to Employee. If Employee’s employment with the Company terminates other than voluntarily or for Cause, and Employee signs and does not revoke a Release, then Employee shall be entitled to: 

  
 2 

 (i) Receive continuing payments of severance pay (less applicable withholding taxes) at a
rate equal to her base salary and 100% of any earned bonus, as then in effect, for a period of six (6) months from the date of such termination, plus an additional one month for each year the Company has positive cash flow, to be paid
periodically in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll policies. 
 (ii) The same level of benefits coverage as in effect for the
Employee on the day immediately preceding the day of the Employee’s termination of employment. The Company shall continue to provide Employee such benefits until the earlier of (i) Employee’s reemployment with benefits of equal or
greater value or (ii) the end of the period for which severance pay is due pursuant to Section 6(b)(i) above. 
 (c) Death.
In the event of Employee’s death while employed hereunder, Employee’s beneficiary (or such other person(s) specified by will or the laws of descent and distribution) will receive (i) any unpaid base salary or unused vacation earned
for periods prior to Employee’s death, (ii) Company-paid benefits as specified in Section 6(b)(ii) above for ninety (90) days from Employee’s death, and (iii) the target bonus to which Employee would have been entitled
pursuant to the terms of Section 5(b) prorated to the date of Employee’s death. 
 (d) Termination by Employee for Good
Reason. If Employee terminates employment with the Company for “Good Reason” (as defined herein) within 90 days of a Good Reason event, and Employee signs and does not revoke a Release, then, subject to Employee’s compliance with
Section 9, Employee shall be entitled to the same benefits that she would receive in Section 6(b) above. 
 7. Change of Control
Benefits. If Employee (i) is terminated other than for Cause by the Company within 90 days prior to a “Change of Control” (as defined herein) or in connection with a Change of Control or (ii) is terminated other than for
Cause by the Company (or its successor corporation) or resigns for Good Reason within twelve (12) months following a Change of Control, and Employee signs and does not revoke a Release, then Employee shall be entitled to the following benefits: 

(a) Severance pay (less applicable withholding taxes) equal to her base salary rate, as then in effect, for a period of twelve
(12) months, to be paid in a single lump sum payment within sixty (60) days of the Change in Control. 
 (b) A single lump sum
payment (less applicable withholding taxes) equal to 100% of her target bonus as then in effect, payable within sixty (60) days of the Change in Control. 

For the avoidance of any doubt, payment of the benefits described in this Section 7 are instead of those described in Section 6.
Thus, if Employee is entitled to payment of the benefits under this Section 7, she shall not be entitled to the benefits described in Section 6. 

  
 3 

 Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that the benefits
provided for in this Section 7 (i) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise
Tax”), then Employee’s benefits otherwise payable under this Section 7 shall be reduced by the minimum extent necessary such that no portion of such benefits would be subject to the Excise Tax. Unless the Company and Employee
otherwise agree in writing, any determination required under this Section 7 shall be made in writing by the Company’s independent public accountants (the “Accountants”), whose determination shall be conclusive and binding upon
Employee and the Company for all purposes. For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 7, the Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith
interpretations concerning the application of Section 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and Employee shall furnish to the Accountants such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination
under this Section 7. The Company shall bear all costs the Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section 7. 

8. No Impediment to Agreement. Employee hereby represents to the Company that Employee is not, as of the date hereof, and will not be
during Employee’s employment with the Company, employed under contract, oral or written, by any other person, firm or entity, and is not and will not be bound by the provisions of any restrictive covenant or confidentiality agreement which
would constitute an impediment to, or restriction upon, Employee’s ability to enter this Agreement and to perform the duties of Employee’s employment. 

9. Dispute Resolution. 

(a) Mediation. In the event of any dispute or claim arising out of, in connection with, or related to this Agreement, the parties shall
first meet and confer in good faith to fairly and equitably resolve the dispute. Such meeting shall occur within seven days of the date of notice implementing this dispute resolution process. If the parties cannot resolve the issue within 10 days
following such meeting, then they shall mediate the matter within 30 days after their meeting, under the auspices of Arbitration Service of Portland (“ASP”), or if that entity fails or declines to serve, such other similar service or
organization as agreed by the parties to this Agreement. 
 (b) Arbitration. Should the parties be unable to resolve any such dispute
through such mediation, they agree that binding arbitration shall be the exclusive remedy for any such claim or dispute. Any arbitration shall be conducted through ASP in Portland, Oregon, using a single arbitrator agreed upon by the parties, or if
the parties are unable to agree on an arbitrator, selected by the parties alternatively striking names off a list of seven arbitrators provided by ASP. Such arbitration shall be conducted under the employment arbitration rules of ASP. Advance costs
of the arbitration shall be divided equally between the parties. If the arbitrator finds, based on all the facts and circumstances, that the conduct of or the claims made by a party were unreasonable or 

  
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 substantially without merit, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover its reasonable
attorney’s fees and expenses (including expert witness fees) incurred in connection with the arbitration and any subsequent litigation, together with the costs of the arbitration, from the party asserting unreasonable or meritless claims, in
addition to all other remedies provided in law or in equity. Judgment on the arbitration award may be entered by any court of competent jurisdiction. Should any party to this Agreement institute any legal action or administrative proceeding against
the other with respect to any Claim or arbitrable dispute related to this Agreement without first engaging in binding arbitration as provided herein, the responding party will be entitled to recover from the initiating party all damages, costs,
expenses, and attorneys fees incurred as a result of that breach. 
 10. Definitions. 

(a) Cause. “Cause” for purposes of this Agreement shall mean any or more of the following occurrences: (i) commission of
any felony or any crime involving moral turpitude or dishonesty; (ii) participation in a fraud against the Company; (iii) willful and material breach of Employee’s duties that has not been cured within thirty (30) days after written notice
from the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) of such breach; (iv) intentional and material damage to the Company’s property; or (v) material breach by Employee of her Employee Proprietary Information and Inventions
Assignment. Any termination for “Cause” hereunder must be determined by two-thirds (2/3rd) vote of the Board, with Employee first having been
given specific written explanation of the basis for the “Cause” determination and an opportunity to appear before the Board prior to final Board action. 

(b) Change of Control. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change of Control” is defined as the occurrence of any of the
following: (i) any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other corporation or other entity or person, or any other corporate reorganization, other than any such consolidation, merger or reorganization in which the stockholders
of the Company immediately prior to such consolidation, merger or reorganization, continue to hold a majority of the voting power of the surviving entity in substantially the same proportions (or, if the surviving entity is a wholly owned
subsidiary, its parent) immediately after such consolidation, merger or reorganization; (ii) any transaction or series of related transactions to which the Company is a party in which in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the Company’s
voting power is transferred; provided, that, a Corporate Transaction shall not include any transaction or series of transactions principally for bona fide equity financing purposes in which cash is received by the Company or any successor or
indebtedness of the Company is cancelled or converted or a combination thereof; or (iii) a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company. 

(c) Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” is defined as the occurrence of any of the following:
(i) A relocation of the Employee’s place of employment outside of the Portland metropolitan area; (ii) A material breach of this Agreement by the Company; (iii) Employee is removed from or not
re-elected to the Board; (iv) Employee has a material reduction in compensation and benefits; or (v) Employee has a material reduction in position, status, duties or responsibilities, or is assigned
duties materially inconsistent with her position (except as a result of the Company being acquired and made part of a larger entity so long as Employee shall continue to serve in the same position of an independent subsidiary or separate defined
business unit containing the Company’s business following a “Change of Control” (as defined herein)). 

  
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 (d) Release. For purposes of this Agreement, “Release” is defined as a
general release of claims that is mutually agreeable to Employee and the Company. 
 11. Successors; Personal Services. The services
and duties to be performed by the Employee hereunder are personal and may not be assigned or delegated. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, its successors and assigns, and the Employee, the Employee’s
heirs and representatives. 
 12. Notice. Notices and all other communications contemplated by this Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or when mailed by U.S. registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid. In the case of the Employee, mailed notices shall be addressed to Employee at the
home address, which Employee most recently communicated to the Company in writing. In the case of the Company, mailed notices shall be addressed to its corporate headquarters, and all notices shall be directed to the attention of the Chief Executive
Officer. 
 13. Miscellaneous Provisions. 

(a) Waiver. No provision of this Agreement shall be modified, waived or discharged unless the modification, waiver or discharge is
agreed to in writing and signed by the Employee and by an authorized officer of the Company (other than the Employee). No waiver by either party of any breach of, or of compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement by the other party
shall be considered a waiver of any other condition or provision or of the same condition or provision at another time. 
 (b) Entire
Agreement. This Agreement shall supersede and replace all prior agreements or understandings relating to the subject matter hereof, and no agreement, representations or understandings (whether oral or written or whether express or implied) which
are not expressly set forth in this Agreement have been made or entered into by either party with respect to the relevant matter hereof. 

(c) Choice of Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal
substantive laws of the State of Oregon without reference to any choice of law rules. 
 (d) Severability. The invalidity or
unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof, which shall remain in full force and effect. 

  
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 (e) No Assignment of Benefits. The rights of any person to payments or benefits under
this Agreement shall not be made subject to option or assignment, either by voluntary or involuntary assignment or by operation of law, including (without limitation) bankruptcy, garnishment, attachment or other creditor’s process, and any
action in violation of this subsection shall be void. 
 (f) No Duty to Mitigate. Employee shall not be required to mitigate the
amount of any payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor shall any such payment be reduced by any earnings that Employee may receive from any other source. 

(g) Employment Taxes. All payments made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to withholding of all applicable income, health
insurance and employment taxes. 
 (h) Assignment by Company. The Company may assign its rights under this Agreement to an affiliate
(as defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), and an affiliate may assign its rights under this Agreement to another affiliate of the Company or to the Company. In the case of any such assignment, the term “Company” when used in
a section of this Agreement shall mean the corporation that actually employs the Employee. 
 (i) Counterparts. This Agreement may be
executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. 

(j) Section 409A. This Agreement is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(“Section 409A”) or an exemption thereunder and shall be construed and administered in accordance with Section 409A. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, payments provided under this Agreement may only be made
upon an event and in a manner that complies with Section 409A or an applicable exemption. Any payments made under this Agreement that may be excluded from Section 409A either as separation pay due to an involuntary separation from service
or as a short term deferral shall be excluded from Section 409A to the maximum extent possible. Any payments to be made under this Agreement upon a termination of employment shall only be made upon a “separation from service” as
defined under Section 409A. 
 [Remainder of page intentionally left blank.] 

  
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 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Agreement, in the case of the
Company by its duly authorized officer, as of the day and year first above written. 
  

							
	COMPANY:	 		 	ESS TECH, INC.
				
		 		 	By:	 	 /s/ Craig Evans

		 		 		 	Craig Evans, Chief Executive Officer and President
			
	EMPLOYEE:	 		 	 /s/ Yang Song

		 		 	Yang Song

 SIGNATURE PAGE TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 

  
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