Senior Director of Manufacturing

Role: Senior Director of Manufacturing
Location: Burlingame, CA (with significant time at Sacramento, CA manufacturing facility)
Department: Manufacturing
Reports To: VP of Manufacturing
Position Type: Full-time

About the Role - Senior Director of Manufacturing

The Senior Director of Manufacturing owns the end-to-end manufacturing strategy and execution for Peak's sodium-ion battery systems as we move from pilot through giga-scale commercial production. You will lead manufacturing engineering, manufacturing operations, process development, facilities, equipment, yield, and ramp readiness across the full BESS stack, spanning our Burlingame pilot operation and our Sacramento manufacturing facility.

This role exists at a critical operational moment. First commercial customer deliveries are imminent, multi-year supply contracts are landing, and the production system built over the next eighteen months will define cost structure, ramp velocity, and the ability to meet growing grid-scale demand.

You will partner closely with engineering, supply chain, and commercial teams to bring product to market and stand up the production system that supports it. This role requires a builder mindset, capable of moving from hands-on problem solving to executive-level planning while owning outcomes end-to-end.

What You'll Do (Responsibilities)

• Lead the manufacturing engineering and process development organization through the ramp from pilot to giga-scale production
• Define and execute the production ramp plan, including equipment specification, line layout, yield curves, and cost-down roadmap across sites
• Build and develop a manufacturing leadership bench spanning process engineering, equipment, quality, automation, and facilities
• Drive design-for-manufacturing into the product roadmap from day one
• Own manufacturing KPIs end-to-end: throughput, yield, OEE, cost per kWh, and safety performance
• Drive process maturity into stable, repeatable, audit-ready production for commercial shipments
• Manage relationships with equipment OEMs, automation partners, and consumables suppliers
• Represent manufacturing in executive forums, board updates, and customer and investor due diligence

What You'll Bring (Qualifications)

• 10+ years in battery, semiconductor, or high-volume precision manufacturing with progressive leadership scope
• Experience scaling from pilot to GWh-level (or equivalent) production with documented yield and cost outcomes
• Experience building and leading manufacturing engineering organizations of 50+
• Hands-on fluency with lean manufacturing, SPC, FMEA, Six Sigma, and modern factory operating systems
• Experience in early-commercialization environments
• BS or MS in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering, or equivalent practical experience
• Strong understanding of cost per kWh drivers
• Comfort operating in a growth-stage, venture-backed company

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct lithium-ion or sodium-ion cell or pack manufacturing experience at commercial scale
• Experience transitioning from prototype to commercial product
• Familiarity with energy storage system integration and grid-connected operation
• Comfort using modern AI tools in daily workflow

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this role is $233,000-$275,000, with actual pay varying based on work location, experience, and skills.

• Flexible time off
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) plan
• Equity opportunities
• Additional work perks