Director of Product Manufacturing, Cell

Gotion Inc. is based in Silicon Valley, CA, currently building a Manufacturing facility in Manteno, IL and has R&D centers in Ohio, China, Japan and Europe. We innovate in the next generation electric vehicle and energy storage technologies (lithium batteries and related systems) with the aim to accelerate electrified transportation and achieve sustainable development. Gotion is powered by a leading power battery technology company that provides solutions for vehicles including the world's first mass commercial e-bus route.

Gotion is a career destination - we are not simply attempting to just fill another job, but to pursue a dream of global green energy together! We offer outstanding opportunities to individuals seeking an exciting and challenging working environment. Everyone is highly valued and plays a vital role in the growth of our organization.

Job Summary:

The Director of Product Manufacturing, Cell will lead end‑to‑end lithium‑ion cell manufacturing operations within the new Gotion Illinois gigafactory. This role will oversee production strategy, technical readiness, capacity ramp‑up, quality, safety, cost optimization, cross‑functional alignment, and team leadership for all cell manufacturing lines.

This position requires deep expertise in high‑volume cell production, scaling advanced manufacturing systems, and guiding teams through rapid growth phases.

Key Responsibilities

• Own full operational leadership of lithium‑ion cell production lines from commissioning to steady‑state, high‑volume output (40 GWh annual cell capacity).
• Build and manage production teams, including manufacturing engineering, production supervisors, technicians, quality teams, and maintenance.
• Create and execute manufacturing strategies aligned with safety, sustainability, and throughput targets.

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, and data‑driven methodologies.
• Ensure compliance with all environmental, health, and safety standards within a high‑tech battery plant environment.

• Direct the setup, validation, and optimization of cell‑manufacturing equipment (electrode production, cell assembly, formation, testing).
• Work closely with R&D, Process Engineering, and Quality to ensure production meets performance, yield, and reliability standards.

• Partner with Supply Chain, Facilities, and Maintenance on capacity planning, materials flow, downtime reduction, and overall operational readiness.
• Support alignment with state and organizational workforce programs designed to prepare regional talent for Gotion’s advanced-manufacturing roles.

• Drive a culture of accountability, quality, safety, and continuous innovation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Manufacturing, Chemistry, or related technical field.
• 10+ years of experience in high‑volume manufacturing leadership; at least 5 years in battery cell manufacturing or a related field (e.g., semiconductors, chemicals, advanced materials).
• Proven experience launching or scaling multi‑GW‑scale manufacturing or similarly complex facilities.
• Strong knowledge of lithium‑ion cell processes (electrode mixing, coating, calendering, stacking/winding, electrolyte filling, formation, OCV/aging, EOL testing).
• Demonstrated leadership in a fast‑paced environment with large and diverse teams.

• Experience bringing a gigafactory or greenfield/repurposed manufacturing facility into production.
• Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent certification.
• Knowledge of U.S. regulatory requirements, DOE priorities, and sustainability frameworks.

 

The U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $200,000.00 - $240,000.00, plus eligibility for 20% bonus and benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by factors such as the role, level, and geographic location. The range listed in the job posting represents the minimum and maximum target salaries for this position across all U.S. locations. Actual compensation within the range will be influenced by the specific work location, along with factors such as job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter will provide more details about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process. Please note that the listed compensation reflects the base salary only and does not include bonus or benefits.