Battery Manufacturing & Operations Director
About the role
The SES AI Hermes team is seeking an exceptional Battery Manufacturing & Operations Director to lead pilot-scale cell manufacturing, drive prototype execution, and oversee process optimization. This critical leadership role ties R&D innovation to manufacturable products by managing technical customer programs and bridging critical gaps between design concepts and commercial readiness.
Responsibilities
Manufacturing & Operations Leadership
- Lead and manage all aspects of pilot-scale cell manufacturing and prototype execution, focusing on various cell designs (pouch, EV, ESS).
- Drive the establishment of pilot lines, define SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), and lead QA/QC processes for production scheduling and test data management.
- Oversee the entire technology scale-up process, ensuring that R&D next-generation battery concepts are ready for mass production.
Product & Customer Program Management
- Serve as the Product Execution Director for technical customer programs, managing the process to deliver validated battery components and systems.
- Drive the NPI (New Product Introduction) process and utilize quality assurance methodologies like DFMEA (Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) and DVP&R (Design Verification Plan and Report).
- Develop and maintain extended relationships within OEM organizations, including technology specification teams and purchasing, by identifying their product/application and service needs.
Cross-Functional Strategy
- Provide cross-functional leadership, effectively bridging the technical gaps between R&D, Manufacturing, and Quality organizations.
Requirements
Education and/or Experience:
Education: Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field.
Leadership Experience: Deep experience at a senior level in pilot-scale cell manufacturing, prototype development, or technical operations management, taking the lead on new projects globally.
Battery Domain: Core expertise in Lithium-ion, Solid-state, and Li-metal battery chemistry and the manufacturing processes associated with them.
Process Acumen: Expertise in NPI processes, process optimization, and hands-on experience in SOP definition, scale-up, and quality control.
OEM Engagement: Direct experience managing technical customer program management and setting technical roadmaps with external clients.
Qualifications
Profile Match: A background profile as a Material Scientist who transitioned into a high-level Operations and Product Execution Director role.
Industry Background: Previous experience working within an Automobile OEM or a leading EV battery manufacturer.
Quality Systems: Advanced proficiency in using DFMEA/DVP&R methodologies in a high-tech manufacturing environment.
Benefits
A highly competitive salary and robust benefits package, including comprehensive health coverage and an attractive equity/stock options program within our NYSE-listed company.
Pay
$200,000 - $220,000 USD
Schedule
N/A