VP, Foundry Operations

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

Silas Vice President of Foundry Operations will build and lead Silas 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 Silas 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.

• End-to-End Industrialization Strategy: Define and execute Silas 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.

• 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: Bachelors or Masters 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 $234000 and $308000 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.