DESCRIPTIONAbout the OpportunityAs the Director of Manufacturing Operations, you will lead Ascent Solar's manufacturing organization, overseeing a multidisciplinary team of engineers, technicians, and manufacturing professionals responsible for producing our innovative thin-film photovoltaic technology. This role combines strategic leadership with operational execution, driving team performance, maximizing manufacturing capacity, optimizing processes, and ensuring manufacturing readiness for new products and customer programs. Working cross-functionally with Engineering, Sales, Supply Chain, and Executive Leadership, you will champion continuous improvement, develop high-performing teams, and lead the operational initiatives that enable Ascent Solar's growth, innovation, and long-term success.
What You'll DoTeam Leadership & Development- Provide strategic leadership to Manufacturing Engineers, Process Engineers, Manufacturing Technicians and Shift Leads.
- Build a culture centered on accountability, engagement, innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Establish clear goals and performance expectations aligned with company objectives.
- Conduct regular one-on-one meetings, coaching sessions and formal performance reviews.
- Develop succession plans and career development opportunities.
- Onboard, train and retain top engineering and manufacturing talent, maximizing performance, production capacity and business continuity capacity.
- Foster cross-training and workforce flexibility across manufacturing operations.
- Partner closely with People & Culture on workforce planning and organizational development.
Manufacturing Capacity & Operational Excellence- Establish the facility's true production capacity through analysis of equipment, staffing, scheduling and process constraints.
- Develop staffing models that align labor resources with forecasted production demand.
- Optimize manufacturing throughput while maintaining quality, safety and cost objective
- Identify manufacturing bottlenecks and implement scalable solutions.
- Lead Lean Manufacturing initiatives and continuous improvement programs.
- Develop production KPIs including:
- Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
- Yield
- Cycle Time
- First Pass Yield
- Downtime
- Scrap
- Capacity Utilization
- Support supplier diversification strategies to reduce operational risk.
- Optimize inventory management to balance production continuity with working capital.
- Drive preventative maintenance strategies.
- Improve manufacturing workflows and MES utilization.
- Ensure EH&S compliance.
Strategic Project & Program Management- Partner with Sales to ensure manufacturing readiness for new commercial opportunities.
- Lead manufacturing planning for customer programs from prototype through production.
- Coordinate Engineering, Manufacturing and Supply Chain activities to support customer delivery commitments.
- Develop and manage production timelines and resource plans supporting customer milestones.
- Lead capital equipment acquisition projects and oversee factory expansion initiatives.
- Lead process improvement projects that increase throughput, yield and manufacturing efficiency.
- Evaluate emerging technologies and automation opportunities.
- Support commercialization of next-generation photovoltaic products.
- Other duties as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS- US Citizenship, No Sponsorship Available
- 13+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including leadership of engineers and technicians within a high-technology manufacturing environment.
- Experience with budgeting, capital expenditures, labor planning, cost reduction, ROI analysis and vendor negotiations.
- Experience supporting C-level leaders and the Board of Directors as the "voice" of manufacturing & engineering.
- Develops annual manufacturing roadmaps and supports board presentations thereof.
- Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to troubleshoot issues with equipment.
- Demonstrated ability to measure and improve manufacturing processes to meet company objectives.
- Demonstrated success in applying Lean principles for process improvements.
- Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
- Willingness to work up to 12-hours at a time, on any shift across our 24/7 operation.
- Exceptional Team Leadership Skills, with experience leading both technicians and engineers.
Why You'll Love Working Here Competitive Pay: $110,000 - $150,000 per year base with potential bonus and equity
Benefits and Work/Life Balance:
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision coverage with significant employer contribution
- Company paid Short/Long Term Disability and Basic Life Insurance
- 401k with up to 4% employer match
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) Program
- 11 paid holidays per year
- The opportunity to work with innovative thin-film photovoltaic technology
- The opportunity to be innovative every day, and grow with an emerging tech company
- A collaborative, low-ego work environment where technical expertise and problem-solving are valued
- A fun work environment with regular events and wellness opportunities
