Director of Cell Equipment and Manufacturing Engineering

We are Sila a next-generation battery materials company. Our mission is to power the worlds 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. Were tackling one of the biggest challenges of our time every day and together were redefining whats possible. Are you ready to be a part of a team committed to changing the world

Sila is seeking a Director of Cell Equipment and Manufacturing Engineering to build and lead the technical organization responsible for the equipment specification vendor selection machinery bring-up and manufacturing line optimization across our cell production facilities. Reporting directly to the VP of Foundry Operations this executive will serve as the primary authority for transforming cell process chemistry into high-speed automated and audit-ready manufacturing lines.

This position is distinct from our early-stage R&D Battery Engineering team; while R&D develops early material chemistries and lab-scale cells the Director of Cell Equipment and Manufacturing Engineering owns the physical industrializationtaking custom machinery from initial concept and sourcing through installation line bring-up and steady-state high-yield production.

The ideal candidate blends rigorous equipment engineering expertise with deep operational bring-up experience. You know how to author tight equipment specifications run global tendering processes with machine builders manage Factory and Site Acceptance Testing (FAT/SAT) and lead hands-on line commissioning in dry room and cleanroom environments. You are a low-ego data-driven leader who excels at bridging technical teams and scaling talent in high-growth hardware environments.

• Equipment Specification & Standard Architecture: Define standard equipment requirements line architecture machine safety protocols and line layouts across electrode cell assembly formation aging and end-of-line testing.
• Global Sourcing & Vendor Down-Selection: Direct technical RFQs vendor evaluations design reviews and technical agreements with global equipment OEMs across North America Europe and Asia.
• Factory Bring-Up FAT & SAT: Own end-to-end equipment commissioning: direct Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) at vendor sites oversee shipping and installation and execute Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) and mechanical/electrical bring-up.
• Manufacturing Engineering & Yield Ramp: Lead process engineering and line optimization post-commissioning to drive steady-state throughput line yield OEE statistical process control (SPC) and cost-down roadmaps.
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Collaborate with R&D Battery Engineering and Product teams to align cell specifications and form factors to define automated assembly tooling and automated high-rate lines.
• Facilities & Utility Hookup: Partner with the Capital Project team to execute construction integrating cell infrastructure including clean rooms dry rooms solvent recovery systems hazardous material handling and dry air systems.
• Automation & Digital Integration: Direct the integration of machine controls PLC architectures robotics and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) to track production data quality metrics and maintenance scheduling.
• Team Leadership & Development: Recruit mentor and scale a multi-disciplinary team spanning equipment engineers process engineers controls/automation engineers and field service technicians.
• GWh Equipment Sourcing Roadmap: Finalize equipment specifications the supplier matrix and capital expenditure plans for Silas initial GWh-scale commercial plant lines.

• Leadership Experience: Minimum 10 years in equipment engineering battery manufacturing engineering or automated industrial machinery bring-up with 5 years leading technical engineering teams.
• Lithium-Ion Machinery Depth: Direct experience specifying selecting and bringing up core cell manufacturing machinery: mixers coaters slitters winders/stackers tab welders pouch/can sealers electrolyte filling formation/aging systems and EOL test equipment.
• Vendor & Program Management: Proven track record running vendor selection design reviews and FAT/SAT with global equipment OEMs.
• Commissioning & Line Bring-Up Track Record: Hands-on experience taking complex hardware lines through commissioning to qualified high-yield production.
• Facilities & Environmental Integration: Practical understanding of dry room requirements (dew point controls) cleanrooms and chemical/hazardous media safety compliance.
• High-Growth Agility: Experience operating in fast-paced high-growth hardware environments with a pragmatic continuous-improvement mindset.
• Education: Bachelors or Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Chemical Engineering Materials Science or related technical field.

The work environment and physical demands are representative of those the employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Rarely: Carrying Climbing Stairs and Ladders Kneeling Squatting Hearing Heights Kneeling Bending Stooping Wet Climates Hazards Noise greater than 85 decibels

Occasionally: Sanding Walking

Frequently: Reading Sitting

Constantly: Grasping Hearing Reaching Reading Repetitive Motions Sitting Vision

The starting base pay for this role is between $207000 and $262000 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 Silas 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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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.