Backed by Techstars.
About the role
Vandrel is rebuilding America's high-performance magnet wire supply chain. We design and manufacture PEEK-insulated copper conductor in modular micro-factories, producing the wire that goes into the motors, transformers, and power systems that matter most: defense and aerospace platforms, EV traction, and grid and stationary storage.
What they're looking for
- 10+ years in polymer extrusion, wire and cable manufacturing, or high-performance coatings, with at least 5 years in a senior technical leadership role
- Hands-on experience with high-temperature thermoplastics, PEEK, PEKK, PAEK, or comparable semi-crystalline engineering polymers strongly preferred
- Demonstrated track record taking an extrusion or coating process from pilot into production, including yield, cost, and long-term reliability
- Real depth on the copper-to-polymer interface: surface prep, adhesion chemistry, thermal behavior, aging
- Ability to specify and qualify capital equipment from first principles, and to partner with vendors on PEEK-capable tooling
- Operator mindset: comfortable in PPE, at the crosshead, solving a defect at 2am if that is what the line needs
More about this role
Vandrel is rebuilding America's high-performance magnet wire supply chain. We design and manufacture PEEK-insulated copper conductor in modular micro-factories, producing the wire that goes into the motors, transformers, and power systems that matter most: defense and aerospace platforms, EV traction, and grid and stationary storage.
Today, insulated magnet wire is produced by a short list of European and Asian suppliers. That is a problem for every US program that needs higher voltage, higher temperature, or higher power density. Our team is small, senior, and hands-on, and we are closing that gap.
Design and Run the Process: Lead development and operation of Vandrel’s pilot extrusion line for PEEK-insulated copper magnet wire across target conductor gauges, from resin handling through finished, wound-ready wire.
Own the Copper-to-PEEK Interface: Drive surface preparation, oxidation control, adhesion strategy, and bond verification. A very short list of competitors has solved this. We intend to solve it better and patent the result.
Specify and Commission Equipment: Select, source, and bring up extruders, crossheads, dies, cooling, spooling, and inline metrology. Work directly...
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