Head of Engineering (CDI)

Faircraft is a venture-backed company developing a sustainable substitute to conventional leather. Leveraging advanced cellular culture and material science techniques, we are putting groundbreaking science at the service of designers across the world through a material that is both highly sustainable and exciting to create with.

Faircraft is seeking an experienced leader to head its Engineering Team.

The role of Head of Engineering is a great opportunity for an entrepreneurial, self-motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced, creative environment, and has strong technical and organizational leadership skills. You will be responsible for leading the development and design of custom production systems for the manufacturing of our in vitro leather, collaborating closely with both the Industrialization and Applied Research teams.

Key Responsibilities

1. Leading the Engineering Team, responsible for the design and development of custom production systems for in vitro leather manufacturing.
2. Collaborating with the Applied Research and Industrialization teams to ensure seamless tech-transfer and scaling of production processes.
3. Driving the development of prototypes, tests, and simulations to ensure the robustness and scalability of production systems.
4. Leading the design and implementation of process automation strategies from prototyping to industrial scale.
5. Sourcing relevant suppliers and external partners when required.
6. Planning and strategy around future manufacturing requirements across scale-up stages.
7. Participating in the development and implementation of site budgets.
8. Driving innovation to enhance manufacturing productivity and quality through robust monitoring and control equipment.

Minimum Requirements

1. MSc or PhD in mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, bioprocess engineering, or other relevant fields.
2. 10+ years of relevant industry experience.
3. Experience in the design and development of process equipment and production systems.
4. Excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to understand and communicate technical information to relevant stakeholders, inside and outside the company.
5. Proficiency in budgeting, with an understanding of basic accounting procedures.
6. Track record for hiring and leading high-performing engineering teams.
7. A self-starter with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt quickly to evolving needs and priorities; proven ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
8. Knowledge of regulatory, safety, and quality standards in the manufacturing or related industry is a plus.