ENERGY AMERICA (EA)
JOB DESCRIPTION – CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER (COO), MANUFACTURING – TEXAS 10GW GIGAFACTORY
Location: Texas (Primary)
Reports To: Executive Leadership Team, Energy America & Centauri Renewable Corporation
Divisional Alignment: Energy America Manufacturing, Centauri Labs (R&D), Ganymede Utilities (EPC), EA Solar (Distribution)
Classification: Executive Leadership – Full Time
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1. ROLE SUMMARY
The Chief Operating Officer – Manufacturing will lead all operational aspects of Energy America’s 10GW+ solar cell, solar module, and advanced BESS manufacturing campus in Texas.
This role is responsible for:
• End-to-end factory operations
• Workforce expansion (1,500–2,500 employees)
• Performance, yield, reliability, and safety
• Domestic content & FEOC compliance
• Integration of NASA-licensed solar cell technology (via Centauri)
• Large-scale expansion from 5GW → 10GW → future growth
This is a critical leadership role shaping Energy America’s position as a global manufacturing leader.
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2. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Operational Leadership
• Direct all day-to-day operations for EA’s solar cell, module, and BESS production lines.
• Develop and enforce world-class operational procedures, KPIs, and manufacturing excellence frameworks.
• Ensure a highly disciplined operations culture across all shifts.
B. Production Performance & Throughput
• Deliver high-volume output to meet 5GW → 10GW scaling milestones.
• Improve production yield, uptime, cycle time, and output quality.
• Oversee production planning, shift management, and factory scheduling.
C. NASA Technology & Centauri Integration
• Support integration of Centauri’s NASA-licensed Selenium Interlayer Solar Cell into commercial EA production lines.
• Maintain TRL 6 → TRL 9 commercialization progress.
• Coordinate with Centauri engineering teams and NASA technology visibility requirements.
D. Quality, Certification & Reliability
• Ensure all EA products meet:
• UL 61730
• IEC 61215/61701
• CSA & CEC standards
• NASA-driven reliability expectations
• Oversee reliability labs, environmental chambers, performance testing, and failure-mode analysis.
E. Workforce Development & Leadership
• Build, train, and oversee a workforce of 1,500–2,500 technicians, engineers, and operators.
• Implement advanced manufacturing training programs with Texas education partners.
• Oversee organizational structure, shift design, and performance management.
F. Automation, Digital Factory & AI Integration
• Deploy robotics, AGVs, MES systems, and digital manufacturing tools.
• Use AI-enabled systems (via Centauri) for predictive maintenance, yield optimization, and process analytics.
G. Supply Chain & Domestic Content Compliance
• Work closely with EA’s supply chain leadership to ensure FEOC-free sourcing.
• Ensure EA maintains compliance with IRS 45X and domestic content thresholds.
• Oversee inventory, warehousing, and materials management operations.
H. Safety, Environment & Regulatory Compliance
• Ensure OSHA, EPA, Texas environmental permits, and internal safety standards are rigorously maintained.
• Promote a safety-first culture across all manufacturing operations.
I. Financial Oversight
• Manage OpEx, cost-reduction programs, cost-per-watt metrics, and operating budgets in coordination with the finance team.
J. Cross-Division Coordination
• Collaborate with:
• Ganymede Utilities for EPC and infrastructure
• Centauri Labs for R&D integration
• EA Solar for market distribution
• Corporate leadership for strategic and operational planning
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3. QUALIFICATIONS
Education
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field required.
• Master’s degree or MBA preferred.
Experience
• 12–20 years in high-volume factory operations.
• Deep experience in solar, semiconductor, battery, or comparable advanced manufacturing facilities.
• Direct leadership of 500+ production personnel.
• Prior experience in large multi-shift, multi-line facilities strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with federal programs (DOE, NASA, DoD) is a plus.
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4. KEY SKILLS & COMPETENCIES
• Executive operational leadership
• High-volume manufacturing expertise
• Strong yield and throughput optimization abilities
• Experience with automation, robotics, and digital manufacturing
• Strong analytical and financial skills
• Ability to scale operations rapidly
• Strong communication and multi-level leadership skills
• Experience with compliance, safety, and quality systems
• Mission-oriented, disciplined, and solutions-driven mindset
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5. KPIs (MEASUREMENT METRICS)
• Achievement of 5GW/10GW production targets
• Module and cell yield percentage
• Line uptime and operational efficiency
• Safety performance (TRIR, LTIR, etc.)
• Cost-per-watt improvements
• Hiring and workforce readiness milestones
• Domestic content compliance
• Integration milestones for NASA-derived technologies
• Commissioning timeline adherence
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6. ROLE IMPACT
The COO of Manufacturing will directly determine Energy America’s capability to:
✔ Produce U.S.-made solar and BESS products at global scale
✔ Commercialize NASA-derived solar cell technology
✔ Meet domestic content and FEOC compliance targets
✔ Achieve global manufacturing leadership
✔ Supply utility-scale, commercial, residential, and export markets
