Program Manager/Senior Program Manager

Solid Power; Thornton (CO); On-site; USD 115,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision insurance

401(k) with company match

8 paid holidays + week between Xmas &

Job summary

Solid Power is seeking a Program Manager or Senior Program Manager to lead a strategic internal and external customer program supporting the commercialization of next-generation solid-state battery materials. You will own end-to-end delivery from development through qualification and production, interfacing with R&D, engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain.

The role partners with Solid Power's SP Korea office and may serve as the primary external-facing program lead, ensuring

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of program management experience with end-to-end ownership of complex, externally facing programs.
• Proven experience as the primary customer-facing program manager for a strategic account or joint development partner.
• Thorough knowledge of APQP and phase-gate methodology.

Responsibilities

• Lead as the primary program owner for a key external customer program, owning scope, schedule, budget, risk and quality.
• Build and maintain relationships with the external customer and lead regular program reviews and executive cadences.
• Coordinate a cross-functional internal team through APQP phases from inception to qualification and production.
• Collaborate with SP Korea office to align expectations, deliverables and communication cadence.
• Drive phase-gate reviews and ensure milestones are achieved on time and on budget.
• Translate customer requirements into internal deliverables and external updates.

Skills

APQP knowledge

Cross-functional leadership

Effective communication

International travel

Education

Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Project

SAP

MS Office Suite

PMP certification

Job description

Overview

Solid Power is seeking a Program Manager or Senior Program Manager to lead a strategic internal and external customer program supporting the commercialization of next-generation solid-state battery materials. The role has end-to-end program delivery ownership from development through qualification and production and serves as the primary interface with a key customer; it aligns cross-functional execution across R&D, engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain. The role may serve as the primary external-facing program lead, partnering with Solid Power's internal teams and the SP Korea office to ensure flawless execution against customer commitments.

Job Duties / Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary program lead and single point of accountability for a key external customer program focused on Solid Power’s electrolyte/powder products, owning scope, schedule, budget, risk, and quality.
• Build and maintain a professional relationship with the external customer, leading regular program reviews, technical exchanges, and executive cadences.
• Lead a cross-functional internal team (R&D, Process Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, EH&S, Commercial) through APQP phases from inception through qualification and production.
• Partner with Solid Power’s SP Korea office, as needed, to align customer expectations, technical deliverables, communication cadence, and cultural considerations.
• Drive phase-gate reviews and ensure program milestones are achieved on time, on budget, and in full.
• Translate customer requirements into clear internal program deliverables and translate internal technical progress into customer-ready updates and documentation.
• Manage external collaborators and vendor relationships critical to achieving program objectives.
• Interact across functional areas and with senior leadership to ensure program objectives are met and escalations are managed proactively.
• Review product documentation and collateral to ensure alignment between internal development and external messaging.
• Anticipate risks, develop mitigation plans, and communicate clearly to both internal leadership and external customers.

Qualifications / Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline (chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, or related); Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of program management experience with end-to-end ownership of complex, externally facing programs.
• Proven experience as the primary customer-facing program manager for a strategic account or joint development partner.
• Thorough knowledge of APQP and phase-gate methodology.
• PMP certification or ability to obtain within one year of start date.
• Demonstrated cross-functional team leadership and consensus-building skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization, including C-level executives, customer counterparts, and technical staff.
• Proven ability to lead and influence thinking and gain acceptance at all organizational levels and in sensitive situations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical content into customer-ready messaging.
• Expert level of Microsoft Project and proficiency in MS Office Suite and SAP.
• Rapid learner who thrives in a fast-paced start-up environment.
• Ability to hold colleagues accountable for their commitments; able to work independently with a sense of urgency and drive for results.
• Ability to travel internationally if needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Battery cell or battery materials development and scale-up experience (electrolyte, cathode, anode, powder).
• Automotive industry experience (OEM or Tier 1) with thorough APQP knowledge.
• Product development experience with joint development partners.
• Experience working across U.S. and Korea time zones and cultural contexts.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, or walk for long periods of time.

Salary Range

$115,000 - $160,000/year

Benefits

Solid Power offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical/dental/vision insurance; employer-paid Life/AD&D/STD/LTD; 401(k) with company match; 8 paid holidays plus the week between Christmas and New Year’s off; Unlimited PTO; up to six weeks paid FMLA leave; cell phone reimbursement; and eligibility to participate in bonus and equity plans.

Export Control Requirements

This position may require access to technology, software and other information subject to governmental export controls. Employment is conditioned on continued government authorization to release such items, including any required export licenses or documentation.

EEO / Equal Opportunity

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful background checks. Solid Power is an equal employment opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected status. We invite applicants to respond to the voluntary self-identification questions below; responding is voluntary and will not affect hiring decisions.

Voluntary Self-Identification questions are provided for government reporting purposes and are confidential. If you choose to complete them, do so in the optional sections. This information is used to measure diversity and the effectiveness of our outreach and recruitment efforts.