Head of Materials Operations

Base pay range

$/yr - $/yr

Aether Biomachines is building the future of protein-engineered materials. Our Aetheron Protein Function Model unlocks entirely new classes of high-performance polymers and additive manufacturing feed stocks, enabling breakthrough applications across aerospace, defense, clean energy, and beyond. As our materials move from R&D to commercial reality, we’re building a world‑class operations function to scale production across the U.S. and Europe.

Responsibilities

• Own the handoff from process development to full-scale manufacturing

• Take over once pilot-line processes and specifications are established by R&D (formulation, compounding, AM process parameters, QC windows)

• Understand not just the what, but the why behind product specifications to ensure CMOs can consistently reproduce performance at scale

• Maintain close alignment with the product team and QC/characterization team while operating independently as the driver of manufacturing operations

Lead contract manufacturing operations across U.S. and Europe

• Manage day-to-day relationships with multiple CMOs; ensure they deliver against specifications, timelines, and capacity plans

• Evaluate, qualify, and later own selection of new CMOs as we expand production

• Translate internal requirements into clear, actionable manufacturing instructions and own document control across distributed sites

• Build trust and credibility with CMO technical teams through strong communication, preparedness, and technical literacy

Drive production planning, scheduling, and inventory execution

• Partner with the business and product teams to align production with demand forecasts and customer orders

• Develop and execute production schedules across multiple facilities to ensure the right grades and formulations are available when needed

• Maintain appropriate safety stock and inventory levels; anticipate bottlenecks and proactively manage lead times

Close the loop between customer support and manufacturing

• Work closely with the customer support team to correlate field feedback with specific production lots

• Identify and drive resolution of manufacturing-originated quality issues

• Build systematic, traceable feedback pathways between customer support, QC, and operations

Own multi-site supply chain infrastructure

• Stand up and manage 3PL relationships for storage, packaging, and distribution

• Source raw materials and maintain material flow logistics across multiple facilities

• Ensure tight change control, version control, and spec documentation across U.S. and EU manufacturing networks

Build the Materials Operations team

• Hire and mentor a small team (materials sourcing, logistics, QC coordination) as production ramps in 2026

• Establish clear processes, documentation standards, and operating rhythms that scale as we grow

What You Bring

Technical and industry background

• 10+ years in chemical, polymer, or specialty materials manufacturing operations

• Experience coordinating or scaling production at multi-metric-ton quantities

• Strong understanding of how chemical/manufacturing specifications translate to process parameters, QC, and reproducibility

• Hands‑on process engineering familiarity is a bonus, but technical literacy and credibility with CMO engineers is essential

Operational excellence

• Demonstrated success driving production output, quality, and on-time delivery across external manufacturers

• Expertise in production planning, scheduling, inventory management, and supply chain execution

• Experience implementing or maintaining document control, spec management, and change control systems

Relationship leadership

• Exceptional communicator:
Able to translate between R&D scientists, CMO process engineers, logistics partners, and customer support teams

• Skilled at building long-term, trust-based relationships with external manufacturing partners

• Early management experience or readiness to step into leadership; comfortable building and supporting a small team

Location & Travel

• Preferred: ability to work from Aether HQ in Menlo Park several days a week. Remote candidates will be considered, especially if located near major manufacturing hubs or…