Director of Commercialization, Japan

WHO YOU ARE

You are an exceptionally experienced engineer and business leader with the knowledge, skills and passion to co-invent the next generation of lithium-ion batteries. You’ll lead Sila’s development efforts in Japan to drive towards qualification of auto and smartphone cells at first tier cell manufacturers and OEMs. You are intimately familiar with the details of how existing lithium-ion batteries are designed, made, and tested at scale and the dynamics of the Li-ion battery industry.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES 

• Develop collaborations with Japanese partners for electrolyte, binder, conductors and foils to help Sila commercialize faster
• Work with Business Development and Customer Programs groups to visit and meet with cell partners and OEM customers to understand their needs and explain Sila’s product
• Share knowledge with other Sila engineers regarding implementation of silicon anode material so that Sila can commercialize faster.  For example, assist with failure analyses to uncover contributing factors, root causes, and innovative solutions to complex problems.
• Work with Japanese contract companies to coat and assemble cells. 
• Review and analyze experiments and synthesize results across the Battery Engineering group to validate cell performance against qualification requirements and guide development direction
• Investigate industry trends through customer voice, conferences, industry reports, announcements, etc. Understand the silicon anode competitive landscape and summarize what Sila needs to do to be successful.  Document this with the Product team.
• Hire exceptional people to the Japan team as it grows

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS

• 20+ years of experience developing and commercializing lithium-ion technology with a deep understanding of lithium-ion battery materials, cell manufacturing, and qualification
• Detailed knowledge of and connection to battery supply chains in Asia, with a focus on Japan.  This includes an understanding of and relationships with development partners (i.e. for coating/assembling samples), commercial partners (i.e. electrolyte companies), competitors (i.e. other materials companies), cell manufacturers and end customers (i.e. automakers, cell phone manufacturers, etc.)
• Passion for creating and developing new technological approaches and understanding
• Exceptional collaboration, communication and leadership abilities
• Demonstrated ability to quickly master new technologies and drive improvement
• Strong understanding of customer point of view, e.g. selling/marketing into a market with high technical terms

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

• Language: Level 5 - Native Proficiency in Japanese, Level 3 - Professional Working Proficiency in English
• Travel: Reside in Alameda, California during training for at least the first 3 months (once safe to travel). In Japan, expected to travel as much as weekly domestically to visit with partners, as needed.