The Vice President of Operations will build and scale the end-to-end operations function for Axelera AI, a fast-growing fabless semiconductor company that delivers AI chips, AI acceleration cards, and AI systems. This executive will own manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and delivery, transforming early prototypes and customer pilots into reliable, high-volume production in a resource-constrained, rapidly evolving environment.
What You'll Do
- Establish and scale fabless operations from early silicon through chip volume production, computing cards and systems
- Design and implement operational processes, systems, and KPIs suitable for rapid growth
- Lead NPI, qualification, ramp, and sustaining production across multiple products, customers and geographies
- Balance speed, cost, and quality in a resource-constrained environment
- Own all external manufacturing: foundries, OSATs, test partners, board design houses, system design houses, contract manufacturers, logistics providers and system integrators
- Drive production planning, demand forecasting, and capacity management
- Identify and mitigate supply chain risks early (capacity, yield, lead times, geopolitical exposure)
- Develop alternate sourcing and contingency plans as the company scales
- Define and implement a global operation and supply chain strategy which takes in considerations supply chains and geopolitical requirements
- Build strategic, senior-level relationships with foundries, OSAT, system integrators, ODM/OEM, contract manufacturer partners
- Negotiate contracts, pricing, capacity commitments, and escalation paths
- Advocate for the company internally with partners despite early-stage volume constraints
- Establish quality, reliability, and failure analysis frameworks appropriate for startup scale
- Lead yield learning, root cause analysis, and corrective actions from first silicon onward
- Ensure customer quality requirements and certifications are met as the business grows
- Work closely with Engineering on DFM/DFT, process selection, and yield improvement
- Partner with Product and Sales to align customer commitments with operational reality
- Collaborate with Finance on cost modeling, cash planning, and gross margin improvement
- Build, lead, and mentor a lean, high-impact operations and supply chain team
- Set a culture of ownership, urgency, transparency, and continuous improvement
- Roll up sleeves when needed — no task is “too small” at this stage
What We're Looking For
- Strong background in scaling globally operations in fabless semiconductor companies and/or is OEM computing companies
- Proven experience taking products from design to volume production
- Track record of building processes and teams from the ground up
- Ability to operate effectively and quickly with ambiguity, incomplete data, and tight timelines
Nice to Have
- Experience scaling a startup/scaleup through rapid growth or acquisition
- Background in markets such as AI, automotive, industrial, or data infrastructure
- MBA or advanced technical degree
Team & Environment
- 220+ employees (including 49+ PhDs)
- World-class team operating remotely from 18 countries and with offices in Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy, the UK, and headquarters in the Netherlands
Benefits & Compensation
- Opportunity to build the operations engine from the ground up
- High visibility and direct impact on company success
- Executive ownership in a company transitioning from startup to scale-up
- Attractive compensation package
- Extensive employee insurances
- Option to get company shares
- Open culture that supports creativity and continual innovation
- Collaborative ownership and freedom with responsibility
- Equal opportunity and diversity-focused environment
- Warm and inclusive workplace that empowers and celebrates every team member
Work Mode
- Hybrid work model with presence in Leuven, Belgium; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Eindhoven, Netherlands; Zurich, Switzerland; Florence, Italy; Milan, Italy; Bristol, United Kingdom
- Flexible working arrangement with options to work from existing offices or relocate to Italy (Florence or Milan) or the Netherlands (Amsterdam or Eindhoven)
At Axelera AI, we wholeheartedly embrace equal opportunity and hold diversity in the highest regard. Our steadfast commitment is to cultivate a warm and inclusive environment that empowers and celebrates every member of our team. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds to join us in shaping the future of AI.