Operations & Compliance
Manufacturing Operations Director
About this position
NDB is seeking a Manufacturing Operations Director to lead the development and scale-up of manufacturing operations for our nano diamond battery technology. This senior leadership role is responsible for transitioning from R&D to commercial production, establishing manufacturing processes, and building a world-class operations team. You will develop manufacturing strategy and scale-up roadmap, establish production processes and quality control systems, build and lead manufacturing operations team, and manage capital equipment procurement and facility design. This position requires extensive experience scaling advanced manufacturing from lab to commercial production. This is a career-defining opportunity to build manufacturing operations for breakthrough technology from the ground up. You'll have significant autonomy and resources to create a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred
- 12+ years of manufacturing operations experience with 5+ years in leadership roles
- Proven track record scaling manufacturing from pilot to commercial production
- Deep expertise in advanced manufacturing (semiconductors, nuclear, or advanced materials)
- Strong knowledge of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement
- Experience with capital equipment procurement and facility design
- Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills
- Familiarity with highly regulated manufacturing environments (ISO, GMP, nuclear)
Responsibilities
- Develop manufacturing strategy and roadmap from pilot to commercial scale
- Establish production processes, SOPs, and quality control systems
- Build, lead, and mentor manufacturing operations team
- Manage capital equipment procurement, installation, and qualification
- Design manufacturing facility layout and workflow optimization
- Implement lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement programs
- Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and quality standards
- Collaborate with engineering on design for manufacturability (DFM)
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience manufacturing nuclear, semiconductor, or advanced energy products
- Background in cleanroom or controlled environment manufacturing
- Expertise in automated manufacturing and Industry 4.0 technologies
- Experience with rapid scale-up and production ramp in startup environments
- Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent certification
- International manufacturing and supply chain experience
What We Offer
- Competitive salary: $180,000 - $250,000 based on experience
- Significant equity stake in revolutionary clean energy company
- Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision) with HSA option
- 401(k) retirement plan with 5% company match
- 4 weeks paid vacation + holidays
- Flexible remote work options (regular on-site presence required)
- Relocation assistance up to $20,000
- Executive leadership development opportunities
- Conference attendance and industry networking
- Opportunity to build manufacturing operations from scratch
- Collaborate with world-class technical team
- High-impact role in bringing breakthrough technology to market
Ready to apply?
Join our team and help us revolutionize energy technology. We're looking for passionate individuals ready to make an impact.
Position Details
- Type
- job
- Employment
- full time
- Department
- Operations & Compliance
- Location
- Chicago, IL
- Compensation
- $180,000 - $250,000
- Remote Work
- Yes
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We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.