Senior Program Manager - U.S. Manufacturing Expansion
Location: Santa Clara, California / Future U.S. Manufacturing Site (On-site)
Type: Full-Time
About Us
Elevated Materials is at the forefront of lithium battery technology, revolutionizing energy storage by enabling dramatically better battery performance. Elevated Materials’ ultra-thin lithium films increase energy density by 30-70%, extend battery life up to 3x, and enable significantly faster charging times. This technology is used for all lithium-ion battery applications, including electric vehicles, aviation, consumer electronics, and grid storage. Currently in the commercialization stage with R&D and manufacturing in the Bay Area and Germany, Elevated Materials is poised to make a significant impact in the global battery industry. As an independent entity spun out of Applied Materials and co-owned with TPG, Elevated Materials’ mission is to accelerate the clean energy revolution, driving universal adoption and a more sustainable future.
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Senior Program Manager to join the development of Elevated Materials LLC’s state-of-the-art greenfield manufacturing facility, helping shape the future of advanced materials production in the United States. This role will drive a greenfield factory project from planning and engineering through construction, commissioning, startup, and production ramp. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Senior Program Manager will coordinate engineering, operations, finance, supply chain, quality, EHS, construction partners, equipment suppliers, and stakeholders.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end execution of the greenfield manufacturing expansion program.
- Develop and maintain an integrated master schedule covering site development, engineering, procurement, construction, equipment installation, commissioning, qualification, and production ramp-up.
- Establish program governance, stage-gate reviews, executive reporting, project controls, change management, and decision-making processes.
- Lead greenfield facility development from site planning through operational startup, including FEED and detailed engineering.
- Drive factory layouts and infrastructure planning for power, HVAC, dry rooms, process utilities, chemical handling, wastewater treatment, warehousing, and logistics.
- Manage major facility and equipment investments against approved scope, schedule, budget, safety, quality, and performance objectives.
- Coordinate EPC/EPCM partners, engineering firms, contractors, and equipment suppliers; lead procurement, FAT, SAT, installation, commissioning, and qualification.
- Serve as the program lead for the greenfield manufacturing project execution, compliance, and stakeholder coordination.
- Ensure adherence to program award terms, cooperative agreement requirements, applicable federal regulations, and contractual commitments.
- Coordinate accurate and timely technical progress reports, milestone completion reports, budget updates, cost-share documentation, risk updates, and required project reviews.
- Track performance against approved scope, schedule, budget, cost share, job creation, domestic manufacturing, workforce, and commercialization commitments.
- Maintain complete, audit-ready records supporting project costs, procurement decisions, milestones, deliverables, and compliance obligations.
- Partner with Finance on grant accounting, allowable-cost documentation, reimbursement support, budget controls, and cost-share tracking.
- Coordinate site visits, audits, technical reviews, stage-gate reviews, and executive briefings; lead follow-up and corrective actions.
- Coordinate compliance activities associated with NEPA commitments, environmental permitting, domestic content and Buy America requirements, cybersecurity, records retention, workforce commitments, and other award obligations.
- Prepare change-control packages, scope or budget modification requests, and continuation materials when required.
- Lead factory startup and manufacturing readiness, including staffing, training, quality systems, maintenance, EHS, materials, production systems, customer readiness, and ramp-to-volume execution.
- Identify and mitigate technical, construction, regulatory, supply chain, operational, compliance, and schedule risks.
General Profile
Requires broad program ownership, strong technical and business judgment, and the ability to lead a complex, multi-year factory program in a fast-changing environment. Operates independently, translates evolving requirements into executable plans, and aligns internal and external stakeholders without relying on formal authority.
Functional Knowledge
Demonstrates deep knowledge of greenfield industrial facility development, capital project execution, advanced manufacturing equipment, commissioning, and production startup. Understands integrated project schedules, project controls, stage-gate execution, risk management, and manufacturing readiness. Familiarity with battery materials, chemical processing, roll-to-roll manufacturing, or high-tech manufacturing is highly valued.
Business Expertise
Understands the cost, schedule, operational, regulatory, and commercialization drivers of a large capital program. Balances technical rigor, compliance, speed, and resource efficiency while maintaining disciplined controls and audit-ready documentation.
Leadership
Leads cross-functional teams and external partners across engineering, construction, operations, finance, EHS, quality, supply chain, and government stakeholders. Creates clarity, drives accountability, resolves trade-offs, and escalates decisions at the appropriate level.
Problem Solving
Applies structured problem-solving to complex technical, construction, operational, and compliance challenges. Anticipates critical-path risks, develops practical mitigation and recovery plans, and makes sound decisions with incomplete information.
Impact
Has direct and visible impact on the successful delivery of Elevated Materials' U.S. manufacturing strategy, program performance, capital efficiency, factory readiness, production ramp, and domestic supply chain growth.
Interpersonal Skills
Communicates complex program, technical, financial, and compliance information clearly to executives, technical teams, contractors, suppliers, and government stakeholders. Effectively negotiates priorities, commitments, and trade-offs while maintaining strong working relationships.
Preferred Qualifications
- Direct experience with federally funded programs, federal grants, or government-sponsored manufacturing initiatives.
- Experience in battery materials, battery manufacturing, advanced materials, chemical processing, semiconductor, or roll-to-roll manufacturing.
- Familiarity with federal cooperative agreements, grant administration, cost-share reporting, NEPA compliance, and audit requirements.
- Experience with FEED and EPC, EPCM, or Owner's Representative delivery models.
- PMP, PgMP, or equivalent project management certification.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor's degree required in Engineering, Manufacturing, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Construction Management, or related field.
- 10+ years of experience leading complex industrial, manufacturing, or capital expansion programs.
- Demonstrated experience developing, constructing, commissioning, or starting up at least one greenfield manufacturing facility.
- Experience managing capital projects of $50 million or more.
- Strong knowledge of program management, project controls, budgeting, scheduling, change management, and risk management.
- Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams through engineering, construction, commissioning, qualification, and startup.
- Excellent executive communication, documentation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to travel to project sites, contractors, suppliers, and government meetings as required.
Compensation & Benefits
The base salary range for this exempt position is $165,000 - $210,000 per year.
The exact salary offered will depend on experience. The total rewards package will also include company equity and an annual discretionary bonus.
• Insurance: Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage.
• Tax Savings Programs: FSA, HSA, Dependent Care FSA, and Commuter Benefits.
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with 4.5% match and immediate vesting.
• Wellbeing Programs: One Medical, Rightway, Spring Health, XP Health, and SoFi.
• Additional Benefits: Flexible vacation policy, paid holidays, and 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Additional Perks: Company cell phone, employee resource support, and more.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Elevated Materials is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital or domestic partner status, age, military or veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Elevated Materials uses E-Verify to ensure employment eligibility. We welcome all qualified candidates to apply.
Location
This position requires 100% onsite presence at the Santa Clara office and/or the future U.S. manufacturing site, based on program phase and evolving business needs.
Job
Operations / Program Management
Shift
Day Job
Travel
Yes, as required for project sites, suppliers, contractors, and government meetings.
Industries
Electrochemical, Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing, Battery Manufacturing, Advanced Materials, and Industrial Construction.
