VP of Manufacturing & Supply Chain
Operations
About Us
Great Sky is a technology startup based with a mission to rebuild AI from first principles. We are pursuing neuroscience-inspired hardware and algorithms that overcome the greatest challenges in scaling AI systems.
Job Overview
We're looking for a VP of Manufacturing & Supply Chain to own the business side of how Great Sky's hardware gets made. You will build the long-term manufacturing strategy, deepen our foundry relationships, and stand up the supply chain infrastructure we need to go from research-grade production to reliable customer delivery. You will work in close coordination with our technical teams — they own the science, you own the commercial and operational relationships that bring it to market. You have done this before in semiconductors or deep tech hardware. This role reports directly to the CEO and is based in either Boulder, CO or Palo Alto, CA.
What You’ll Do
Manufacturing
Own Great Sky's long-term manufacturing strategy — which foundries, in what sequence, how we build redundancy and capacity
Build and manage deep relationships with foundry partners, including negotiating agreements, capacity allocations, and pricing
Serve as the business-side bridge between Great Sky's technical teams and external foundry and process partners; coordinate testing and iteration cycles; own the manufacturing and yield perspective on process development
Supply Chain
Build Great Sky's supply chain strategy and infrastructure by turning one-off procurement for testing and demos into repeatable, scalable processes that account for sensitivity and complexity of Great Sky’s hardware
Own component sourcing, vendor management, and long-lead-time items
Own the packaging and assembly strategy by identifying and qualifying partners, defining the assembly process, and building quality assurance and yield management processes
Own shipping, logistics, and export controls and ITAR compliance for all hardware and international manufacturing relationships
What We're Looking For
10+ years of experience in manufacturing, supply chain, or operations in semiconductors, deep tech hardware, or a closely adjacent field
Demonstrated experience building foundry relationships and managing complex manufacturing partnerships
Track record of building supply chain infrastructure at an early-stage or scaling hardware company
Deep enough fluency in semiconductor or advanced hardware manufacturing processes to be credible with the engineers and scientists you'll work alongside
Experience with export controls and ITAR compliance in the context of hardware manufacturing and government customers
Strong commercial instincts — you understand how manufacturing decisions shape a company's ability to win customers and raise capital
Comfortable operating with long lead times, significant capital commitments, and ambiguous demand signals
Nice to have
Experience with cryogenic systems, photonics, or superconducting electronics manufacturing
Existing relationships with foundry partners in the superconducting or advanced materials space
Benefits and Perks
Meaningful equity ownership in an early-stage deep tech company
Employer-matched 401(k)
Health, dental, vision, and life insurance
Flexible PTO
Support for ongoing learning, conference attendance, and skill development
Our culture is onsite by default (we're founded by scientists who are used to working in the lab), with flexibility for hybrid arrangements. For the right person and role, we're open to filling roles remotely