Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Staff Product Manager, Next Generation Battery Materials

at Sila Nanotechnologies

🏢 About Sila Nanotechnologies

Sila Nanotechnologies is pioneering next-generation battery materials with its proprietary silicon anode technology, positioning itself at the forefront of sustainable energy innovation. Unlike traditional battery companies, Sila focuses on materials science breakthroughs that enable higher energy density for electronics and electric vehicles, making it an ideal workplace for those passionate about tangible climate impact through hard tech.

About This Role

This Senior Staff Product Manager role involves defining product strategy for Sila's advanced battery materials, translating complex OEM requirements into actionable development protocols, and leading initiatives from lab-scale to commercial production. It's impactful because you'll directly shape the roadmap for materials that could redefine energy storage in electric vehicles and consumer electronics.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve meeting with battery OEM partners to understand their evolving requirements, collaborating with R&D teams to translate those needs into test protocols, analyzing competitive materials data, and developing business cases for prioritizing development initiatives. You'd balance strategic planning with hands-on technical discussions about material performance metrics.

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🎯 Who Sila Nanotechnologies Is Looking For

  • Has 7+ years in Product Management within hard tech, specifically with experience scaling novel materials from lab to commercial production
  • Possesses deep technical knowledge of battery chemistry, silicon anode technology, and cell manufacturing processes
  • Demonstrates proven ability to build strategic relationships with battery OEMs and cell makers while conducting competitive analysis
  • Has successfully translated technical requirements into test protocols and business cases for advanced materials in previous roles

📝 Tips for Applying to Sila Nanotechnologies

1

Highlight specific experience with silicon anode materials or similar advanced battery technologies in your resume bullet points

2

Quantify your impact on scaling materials from lab to production in previous roles (e.g., 'Led development of X material from 100g batches to 1-ton pilot production')

3

Reference Sila's Titan Silicon™ anode technology specifically in your application materials to show you've done your homework

4

Include examples of how you've translated OEM requirements into internal test protocols for battery materials

5

Demonstrate knowledge of the competitive landscape for advanced battery materials (companies like Group14, Amprius, or Enovix)

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience with product lifecycle management for novel materials, specifically scaling from lab to commercial production', 'Specific examples of building strategic relationships with battery OEMs or cell manufacturers', "How your technical understanding of battery chemistry aligns with Sila's silicon anode technology", 'Demonstrated success in creating business cases and technical marketing materials for advanced materials']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Sila's Titan Silicon™ technology and its performance claims compared to traditional graphite anodes
  • → Sila's partnerships with companies like BMW and Whoop to understand their market positioning
  • → The company's manufacturing facility in Moses Lake, Washington and their scaling capabilities
  • → Recent funding rounds and investors to understand the company's growth trajectory and priorities

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through how you would develop a product roadmap for a new silicon anode material targeting electric vehicle applications
2 How would you approach translating an OEM's 500-cycle life requirement into specific internal test protocols?
3 Describe your experience with competitive analysis in the advanced battery materials space
4 What challenges have you faced when scaling materials from lab to pilot production, and how did you overcome them?
5 How would you build a business case for prioritizing one battery material development initiative over another?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with only software or consumer product management experience without hard tech/materials background
  • Failing to demonstrate specific knowledge of battery chemistry or silicon anode technology
  • Using generic product management frameworks without adapting them to materials science development cycles

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

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Good luck with your application to Sila Nanotechnologies!

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