VP, Foundry Operations

RiseMe; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 234,000 - 308,000; Full time

Job summary

Sila is seeking a VP of Foundry Operations to build and lead battery cell manufacturing from the ground up, driving pilot capabilities to full industrialization and multi-GWh scale production.

Reporting to the COO, this executive will own site selection, plant construction, equipment specs, and the vendor ecosystem, while partnering with R&D and Product to ensure manufacturability and growth. The role requires 15+ years in manufacturing leadership and a track record of global supplier management.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in operational/manufacturing/engineering leadership.
• 5+ years in a Director role or higher leading operational teams.
• Experience scaling battery cell manufacturing to giga scale, serial production.
• Experience with large capital programs ($100M+ CapEx/OpEx) and international OEMs.
• Strong cross-functional and commercial acumen.
• Proven ability to hire, build, and retain multisite engineering and operational teams.
• Agile mindset and ability to thrive in fast-growing environments.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute Foundry Operations strategy from pilot to multi GWh scale production.
• Lead site evaluation, facility design, and equipment selection for pilot and gigafactories.
• Direct equipment specification, line layouts, RFQ/tendering, commissioning, and handover.
• Structure and mentor an automotive-grade manufacturing organization across multiple functions.
• Collaborate with Product and R&D to translate cell specs into scalable production processes.
• Coordinate with Commercial leadership to align capacity with market demand.
• Engage with the Board on CapEx/OpEx, risk, and execution timing.
• Implement KPI-driven systems, SPC, and continuous improvement for OEE and yield.

Skills

Executive leadership

Scale-up experience

Battery manufacturing

Capital project mgmt

Cross-functional acumen

Organizational development

Agile & growth mindset

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Engineering

Ph.D. preferred

Job description

About Us

We are Sila, a next-generation battery materials company. Our mission is to power the world’s transition to clean energy. To create this future, our team is building a better lithium-ion battery from the inside out today. We engineer and manufacture ground-breaking battery materials that significantly increase the energy density of batteries, while reducing their size and weight. The result? Smaller more powerful batteries that can unlock innovation in consumer devices and accelerate the mass adoption of electric cars to eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels. We're tackling one of the biggest challenges of our time every day, and together we're redefining what's possible. Are you ready to be a part of a team committed to changing the world?

Who You Are

Sila's Vice President of Foundry Operations will build and lead Sila’s Battery Foundry Operations from the ground up, driving our physical manufacturing presence from pilot capability to full industrialization and GWh scale production. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), this executive will own the backbone of Sila's cell manufacturing strategy, spanning site selection, plant construction, equipment specification, product offerings, vendor ecosystem development, line commissioning, new product introduction, and production scaling.

This role operates alongside our Battery R&D team and our RD&E team. While R&D teams focus on early stage material testing and chemistry development, the VP of Foundry Operations is responsible for translating proven technology into commercial, high yield, bankable cell manufacturing operations.

The ideal candidate brings a rare combination of a proven ability to scale operations, teams, and operating systems from zero to serial production with equipment and engineering expertise. You are a business first, driven leader with high intellectual curiosity, comfortable moving fluidly between high level executive strategy and hands on operational execution.

Responsibilities and Duties

• End-to-End Industrialization Strategy: Define and execute Sila’s Foundry Operations strategy to take battery cell manufacturing from pilot phase through multi GWh scale production. Determine the right path to market, evaluate multiple options on manufacturing models, and downselect to the optimum path forward.
• Site Selection & Facility Delivery: Lead site evaluation, scoping, clean/dry room design, equipment selection, and capability design. Support and influence infrastructure (utilities, solvent/water recovery, dry rooms, hazardous material handling), and construction for both initial pilot facilities and future GWh scale gigafactories.
• Equipment & Process Engineering: Direct equipment specification, line layouts, RFQ/tendering, vendor down selection, design reviews, FAT/SAT, commissioning, and operational handover across electrode, assembly, formation, aging, and testing blocks.
• Team Building & Leadership: Recruit, structure, and mentor an automotive quality manufacturing engineering and operations organization, establishing leadership across process engineering, equipment, facilities, quality, automation, and plant operations.
• Cross Functional Product Integration: Partner closely with Product and R&D teams to translate cell specifications, form factors, and safety targets into design for manufacturability (DFM) requirements and scalable production processes.
• Commercial & Market Alignment: Collaborate with Commercial leadership to align plant capacity roadmaps, cell specifications, and manufacturing milestones with market demand and customer commitments.
• Executive & Board Engagement: Serve as the core operational voice to executive leadership and the Board on CapEx/OpEx allocation, site readiness, cost down roadmaps, risk mitigations, and execution timing.
• Operational Excellence & Quality Systems: Implement robust KPI driven operating systems, quality gated release processes, statistical process controls (SPC), and continuous improvement frameworks to optimize OEE, yield, cost per kWh, and safety.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Executive Leadership Experience: Minimum 15+ years of leadership in operational, manufacturing, or engineering functions, with at least 5+ years in a Director role or higher leading operational teams.
• ScaleUp Track Record: Proven experience taking complex hardware or battery cell production from early pilot lines to giga scale, serial production.
• Preference for Battery Manufacturing Expertise: Hands on experience across battery cell manufacturing process blocks, including dry/clean room environments, electrode processing, cell assembly, electrolyte filling, formation, aging, and validation testing.
• Experience with Capital Project Management: Supporting or ownership of large scale capital programs ($100M+ CapEx/OpEx budget oversight) and direct experience managing international equipment supplier ecosystems (U.S., European, and Asian OEMs).
• Cross Functional & Commercial Acumen: Demonstrated success partnering with commercial leadership to understand market requirements and product/R&D teams to optimize cell designs for high rate production.
• Organizational Development: Exceptional track record of hiring, building, and retaining multisite engineering and operational teams from early stages to scaled organizations.
• Agile & Growth Mindset: Operational experience in fast paced, high growth, or pre IPO technology/manufacturing environments.
• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering (Materials Science, Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical) or related technical field; Ph.D. or advanced degree preferred.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

• Move long distances (such as from building to building) and be stationary for extended periods of time
• Operate a computer and other office equipment, such as a laptop, copier/printer, etc in a fixed location

The starting base pay for this role is between $234,000 and $308,000 at the time of posting. The actual base pay depends on many factors, such as education, experience, and skills. Base pay is only one part of Sila’s competitive Total Rewards package that can include benefits, perks, and equity. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future.

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Working at Sila

We believe that building a diverse team at Sila helps us amplify our individual talents. We are an equal opportunity employer and committed to creating an inclusive environment where good ideas are free to come from anyone. We are proud to celebrate diversity and all qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, national origin, or any other status protected by law.