Vice President of Operations

📋 Description

• • Axelera AI is seeking a visionary and hands-on Vice President of Operations to architect and lead our end-to-end operations function, a critical role in our journey from a pioneering deep-tech startup to a global leader in AI semiconductor platforms.
• • This executive leadership position is pivotal in transforming our innovative prototypes and early customer engagements into robust, high-volume production, ensuring the reliable delivery of our cutting-edge Metis™ AI Platform.
• • You will be instrumental in building and scaling the entire operations spectrum, encompassing manufacturing, supply chain management, quality assurance, and timely delivery, all while navigating the dynamic and resource-constrained environment typical of a fast-growing, fabless semiconductor company.
• • Your mandate will be to establish and mature our operational capabilities, moving from initial silicon bring-up and customer pilots to predictable, high-volume manufacturing, directly impacting our ability to meet market demand and achieve aggressive growth targets.
• • This role demands a unique blend of deep technical expertise in semiconductor manufacturing and supply chain, sharp execution instincts, and the resilience to thrive amidst evolving processes, limited resources, and demanding timelines.
• • You will be the driving force behind establishing and scaling our fabless operations, meticulously designing and implementing operational processes, robust systems, and key performance indicators (KPIs) that are not only effective today but also scalable for rapid future growth.
• • A core part of your responsibility will be to lead the New Product Introduction (NPI) process, qualification, production ramp-up, and ongoing sustaining production for multiple product lines and a growing customer base.
• • You will be tasked with the crucial balancing act of optimizing speed, cost, and quality, demonstrating exceptional strategic thinking and tactical execution in a resource-constrained setting.
• • Your ownership extends to all external manufacturing relationships, including foundries, Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) providers, and logistics partners, ensuring seamless integration and performance.
• • You will drive critical supply chain functions such as production planning, accurate demand forecasting, and proactive capacity management, anticipating future needs and ensuring our production capabilities keep pace with market opportunities.
• • A key strategic imperative will be the early identification and mitigation of supply chain risks, including potential bottlenecks in capacity, yield fluctuations, extended lead times, and geopolitical exposures, developing robust contingency plans.
• • You will be responsible for developing and implementing alternate sourcing strategies and comprehensive contingency plans to ensure business continuity and resilience as the company scales exponentially.
• • Building and nurturing strategic, senior-level relationships with our key foundry and OSAT partners will be paramount, fostering collaboration and ensuring our strategic alignment.
• • This includes the negotiation of critical contracts, pricing agreements, capacity commitments, and establishing clear escalation paths to resolve any potential issues swiftly.
• • You will act as a strong advocate for Axelera AI within these partner organizations, effectively representing our interests and securing the necessary support, even as our early-stage volume may present challenges.
• • Establishing comprehensive quality, reliability, and failure analysis frameworks, tailored to the specific needs and scale of a rapidly growing startup, will be a foundational task.
• • You will lead the charge in yield learning initiatives, driving rigorous root cause analysis and implementing effective corrective actions from the very first silicon samples through to mass production.
• • Ensuring that customer quality requirements and necessary certifications are met and maintained as the business expands will be a non-negotiable aspect of your role.
• • Cross-functional collaboration is essential; you will work intimately with the Engineering teams on Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Test (DFT), guiding process selection and championing yield improvement efforts.
• • You will partner closely with Product Management and Sales teams to ensure that customer commitments are realistic and achievable, aligning market expectations with operational capabilities.
• • Close collaboration with the Finance department is required for accurate cost modeling, strategic cash planning, and driving continuous improvement in gross margins.
• • Beyond processes and partners, you will build, lead, and mentor a lean, high-impact operations and supply chain team, fostering a culture of excellence.
• • You will instill a culture characterized by strong ownership, a sense of urgency, transparent communication, and a relentless pursuit of continuous improvement across the operations function.
• • In this hands-on role, you are expected to roll up your sleeves and contribute directly when needed – recognizing that at this critical stage, no task is too small to ensure our collective success.
• • Success in the first 12-24 months will be defined by achieving predictable silicon delivery from early customer engagements through to volume production, establishing strong and trusted relationships with our foundry and OSAT partners, and demonstrating measurable improvements in yield, cost, and cycle time, all while building a scalable operations foundation ready for the next phase of hyper-growth.