Battery Manufacturing & Operations Director

What We Offer:

• A highly competitive salary and robust benefits package, including comprehensive health coverage and an attractive equity/stock options program within our NYSE-listed company.
• The opportunity to contribute directly to a meaningful scientific project—accelerating the global energy transition—with a clear and broad public impact.
• Work in a dynamic, collaborative, and innovative environment at the intersection of AI and material science, driving the next generation of battery technology.
• Significant opportunities for professional growth and career development as you work alongside leading experts in AI, R&D, and engineering.
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities and proprietary technologies used to discover and deploy AI-enhanced battery solutions.

What we Need:

The SES AI Hermes team is seeking an exceptional Battery Manufacturing & Operations Director to lead pilot‑scale cell manufacturing, drive prototype execution, and oversee process optimization. This critical leadership role ties R&D innovation to manufacturable products by managing technical customer programs and bridging critical gaps between design concepts and commercial readiness. As a key Leader in Battery Manufacturing and Operations, you will manage the transition of next‑generation battery technology from the lab to scaled production.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Manufacturing & Operations Leadership

• Lead and manage all aspects of pilot‑scale cell manufacturing and prototype execution, focusing on various cell designs (pouch, EV, ESS).
• Drive the establishment of pilot lines, define SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), and lead QA/QC processes for production scheduling and test data management.
• Oversee the entire technology scale‑up process, ensuring that R&D next‑generation battery concepts are ready for mass production.

Product & Customer Program Management

• Serve as the Product Execution Director for technical customer programs, managing the process to deliver validated battery components and systems.
• Drive the NPI (New Product Introduction) process and utilize quality assurance methodologies like DFMEA (Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) and DVP&R (Design Verification Plan and Report).
• Develop and maintain extended relationships within OEM organizations, including technology specification teams and purchasing, by identifying their product/application and service needs.

Cross-Functional Strategy

• Provide cross‑functional leadership, effectively bridging the technical gaps between R&D, Manufacturing, and Quality organizations.

Education and/or Experience:

• Education: Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Leadership Experience: Deep experience at a senior level in pilot‑scale cell manufacturing, prototype development, or technical operations management, taking the lead on new projects globally.
• Battery Domain: Core expertise in Lithium‑ion, Solid‑state, and Li‑metal battery chemistry and the manufacturing processes associated with them.
• Process Acumen: Expertise in NPI processes, process optimization, and hands‑on experience in SOP definition, scale‑up, and quality control.
• OEM Engagement: Direct experience managing technical customer program management and setting technical roadmaps with external clients.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Profile Match: A background profile as a Material Scientist who transitioned into a high-level Operations and Product Execution Director role.
• Industry Background: Previous experience working within an Automobile OEM or a leading EV battery manufacturer.
• Quality Systems: Advanced proficiency in using DFMEA/DVP&R methodologies in a high‑tech manufacturing environment.

The salary range for this position is required under applicable pay transparency laws.

Salary range: $200,000 - $220,000 USD.