Park Piao left Changan Automobile to run the R&D department for startup Zhiche Auto in Shanghai. Zhiche's CEO is Shen Haiyin, who formerly worked for Chinese internet security company Qihoo 360.

"I received quite a lot of offers from all kinds of companies before I decided to join Zhiche," said Piao, 38. "A startup company can be more focused on EV products and thus can achieve innovations more quickly."

Zhiche displayed a concept electric SUV before the Beijing Auto Show this year, complete with DeLorean-style doors that flip up. Zhiche plans to release the car next year.

There's also strong demand for branding and marketing specialists to help make household names out of startups with sights on initial public offerings.