Director of Finance

Thrively is partnering with a well-funded, venture-backed deep-tech startup developing next-generation optical switching technology for AI and hyperscale data centers.

The company is building a highly differentiated, chip-scale optical switching platform designed to address some of the fundamental connectivity, power, and scalability challenges created by increasingly large GPU clusters. Its technology combines silicon photonics, MEMS, advanced electronics, ASICs, and embedded systems to enable significantly more efficient connectivity within next-generation AI infrastructure.

As the company moves from development toward production, we're looking for a highly hands‑on Director of Finance who can help build the financial infrastructure needed to support that growth.

This is not a narrowly defined FP&A or corporate finance role. You'll work across Finance, Operations, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Supply Chain, helping leadership understand the financial implications of scaling a complex semiconductor business.

You'll own financial planning and modeling, analyze manufacturing and supply chain economics, improve financial systems and processes, and provide the insights leadership needs to make better operating and investment decisions.

We're particularly interested in finance leaders who understand semiconductor or hardware manufacturing environments and enjoy combining strategic thinking with hands‑on analysis.

• Develop budgets, forecasts, and financial models supporting strategic planning and company growth
• Provide financial analysis and executive reporting to support key business decisions
• Build models around pricing, investments, manufacturing, headcount, and strategic initiatives
• Support monthly, quarterly, and annual financial planning and reporting

• Partner with Operations and Supply Chain to analyze manufacturing costs, inventory, capital expenditures, and fixed assets
• Develop financial models supporting semiconductor manufacturing and supply chain planning
• Support inventory costing throughout the semiconductor manufacturing lifecycle
• Identify opportunities to improve operational and financial efficiency
• Evaluate the financial impact of major supplier agreements, vendor contracts, and strategic partnerships
• Provide financial guidance during vendor negotiations and commercial decisions
• Analyze supplier economics and financial risks across the semiconductor supply chain
• Build scalable financial processes and reporting capabilities
• Support ERP, MES, and PLM implementation and optimization
• Automate financial reporting, dashboards, and business intelligence
• Improve financial controls, reporting accuracy, and data integrity

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field
• Approximately 5–8+ years of progressive finance or accounting experience
• At least 2–3 years within a semiconductor or global hardware technology company
• Strong understanding of semiconductor manufacturing, inventory costing, and global supply chains
• Experience with financial forecasting, operational modeling, budgeting, and executive‑level analysis
• Experience supporting international operations, foreign currencies, or subsidiaries
• Experience implementing or working extensively with ERP, MES, and/or PLM systems
• Advanced Excel and Google Sheets skills
• Ability to operate strategically while remaining highly hands‑on
• Strong communication skills and ability to partner across technical and business teams

Experience in any of the following would be especially valuable:

• Semiconductor or fabless semiconductor companies
• Foundries, OSATs, or contract manufacturers
• Wafer and chip manufacturing economics
• Semiconductor inventory…