Head of Manufacturing

Head Of Manufacturing

Aether Biomachines is building the future of protein-engineered materials. Our Protein Function Model unlocks entirely new classes of high-performance polymers and additive manufacturing feedstocks, enabling breakthrough applications across aerospace, defense, clean energy, and beyond. As we transition from breakthrough R&D to scaled commercial production, we are building a world-class global materials operations function. We are seeking a Head of Manufacturing to architect, scale, and lead our end-to-end manufacturing and supply chain strategy across the U.S. and Europe. This executive will own the strategy, systems, partnerships, and organizational buildout required to transform novel materials innovation into reliable, multi-site, commercial-scale production.

The Role: You will design and lead Aether's global manufacturing and materials operations infrastructure - from manufacturing network strategy and CMO governance to supply chain architecture, cost structure, risk mitigation, and quality systems - ensuring our materials scale with technical integrity, commercial reliability, and capital efficiency. This role requires both executive-level systems design and hands-on operational engagement. The right leader will be comfortable stepping into the details of a production issue at a CMO while simultaneously building the long-term infrastructure that makes those interventions less frequent over time. You will partner closely with R&D/Product, Finance, and Commercial leadership to translate innovation into durable, high-performance production capability.

What You Will Own:

• Global Manufacturing Strategy & Network Design
• Commercial-Scale Production & Operational Excellence
• End-to-End Supply Chain Architecture
• Quality Systems, Governance & Change Control
• Financial & Executive Accountability
• Organizational Leadership

What You Bring:

• Executive-Scale Operations Leadership
• Leadership at Company-Building Scale
• Financial & Organizational Maturity
• Relationship Leadership

Location & Travel: Hybrid preferred in South San Francisco, moving to San Francisco in 2027, remote candidates considered. Significant travel to CMOs in the Midwest, East Coast, and Europe.

Note: Aether Biomachines is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you're excited about this role but don't meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. The pay range for this role is $200,000 - $300,000 per year + equity, with final compensation based on skills and experience. Employment at Aether is at-will, and reasonable accommodations are available upon request. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. At this time, Aether is not sponsoring visas for this position.