Pilot Operations Manager

Pilot Production Leadership

Own daily pilot manufacturing operations from planning through delivery, ensuring reliable, safe, and on-time execution of material and testing plans aligned with program and commercial priorities.

Process Engineering & Scale-Up

Translate R&D processes into robust, repeatable pilot workflows; lead process optimization, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement to improve yield, stability, and scalability.

Material Coordination & Logistics

• Oversee end-to-end material flow including raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods;
• Coordinate staging, inventory, and movement of sensitive materials to align production output with testing and delivery requirements.

Operational Excellence & Scheduling

• Establish and enforce SOPs, work instructions, and standardized workflows;
• Cookordination production schedules, resource allocation, and equipment readiness;
• Implement and manage KPIs (yield, throughput, quality, schedule adherence) to drive performance and accountability.

Documentation, Testing & Traceability

• Ensure complete and accurate batch records, material qualification traveler sheets, and process documentation;
• Synthesize and communicate clear material testing summaries to support data-driven decisions and stakeholder alignment.

Quality & Process Control

• Maintain high-precision specifications through rigorous process control, in-process verification, and structured root cause and corrective action for deviations.

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of technicians;
• Establish clear expectations for execution, safety, and documentation;
• Build a culture of accountability, precision, and continuous improvement.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner closely with development, commercial, quality, and EHS teams to align on priorities, communicate progress and risks, and ensure readiness for customer requirements and scale-up milestones.

Safe & Compliant Operations

• Integrate EHS requirements into all aspects of operations, including SOPs, training, material handling, and facility practices, ensuring safe and compliant execution at all times.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field;
• 5+ years of experience in advanced materials, pilot production, or manufacturing environments;
• Proven experience leading pilot or production teams, with direct accountability for execution, safety, and performance;
• Hands-on experience working in pilot-scale or development environments, supporting process iteration, scale-up, and material qualification;
• Demonstrated experience in process engineering, pilot line operations, or scaling technologies from R&D to production;
• Strong track record of implementing SOP-driven operations, KPI management, and production documentation systems;
• Experience managing material flow, production scheduling, and cross-functional coordination.

Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities.