Interplay

Lead the development and scaling of advanced manufacturing processes for defense-grade ceramics, overseeing process design, quality, and production readiness. | Over 10 years in advanced manufacturing or aerospace/defense sectors, with experience in building or launching production lines, managing multi-million dollar projects in regulated environments, and working hands-on with engineering and operations teams. | THE COMPANY Lykos is the latest venture born out of Interplay’s Studio, which builds companies from scratch. Lykos is a U.S.-based advanced materials and manufacturing company building defense-grade additives, components and production systems for extreme thermal, mechanical, and electromagnetic environments. We are building an industrial manufacturing platform designed to meet the standards of defense primes, government customers, and long-term strategic partners. We focus on ultra-high-performance ceramics (UHPCs) critical to aerospace, propulsion, and autonomous systems applications where traditional materials fail. Through novel process integration and laser-based manufacturing, Lykos is delivering scalable, U.S.-controlled production for mission-critical defense and national security programs. THE ROLE As Chief Operating Officer (COO), you will lead the company’s transition from validated materials to real, defensible manufacturing capability. You will own manufacturing strategy, process architecture, operational readiness, and scale planning to ensure that Lykos can credibly produce defense-grade components at increasing volume, quality, and reliability. We are looking for a proven industrial operator who has built and commissioned production, owned yield, quality, and delivery, survived the scale-up of novel technology under real-world constraints, and managed CAPEX and vendors end-to-end. This role requires direct accountability from process to production to delivery, with a demonstrated ability to turn advanced technology into reliable, defense-grade manufacturing systems. This is a rare opportunity to architect an advanced manufacturing operation from first principles, at the intersection of materials science, laser-based production, and defense industrial requirements. WHAT YOU’LL DO Design and own Lykos’ end-to-end manufacturing strategy, from raw material inputs to finished ceramic components and modular processing cells for distributed manufacturing. Define and build the initial MVP manufacturing cell, including equipment selection, layout, tooling, and CAPEX planning. Integrate laser-enabled manufacturing processes with ceramic material workflows to ensure repeatability, yield, and quality. Establish production process controls, quality systems, and documentation aligned with aerospace and defense standards. Identify scale-up risks, cost inflection points, and throughput constraints early and engineer them out across multiple material SKUs and partner environments. Serve as the primary operational interface with defense primes, manufacturing partners, and government stakeholders. Develop the operational playbook for scaling from pilot production to higher-volume manufacturing of materials and modular processing cells. Partner with the CEO and CSO to translate technical strategy into executable operational milestones. Recruit and manage cross-functional teams (engineering, operations, procurement, research) Champion a culture of precision, accountability, and disciplined execution appropriate for defense manufacturing. REQUIRED SKILLS 10+ years of experience in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, defense, or precision industrial operations. Proven experience building or launching new production lines, manufacturing cells, or pilot facilities in one or more of the following sectors: Advanced Manufacturing (Carbon, Velo3D, Relativity, Divergent, etc.) Aerospace / Defense (Anduril, Raytheon, SpaceX, Northrop, etc.) High Performance Materials (CoorsTek, Kyocera, Applied Materials, ASML, etc.) Strong understanding of process engineering, yield management, and quality systems. Experience operating multi-million dollar projects within regulated environments (AS9100, ITAR, DFARS, or equivalent). Demonstrated ability to operate in early-stage, fast-moving environments. Comfort working hands-on across engineering, operations, and external partners. PREFERRED SKILLS Advanced Degree in Material Science / Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering. Background in laser-based manufacturing, ceramics, composites, or advanced materials. Experience supporting defense primes or government production programs. Prior leadership role in scaling manufacturing from prototype to production. Familiarity with supplier qualification and defense procurement expectations.

The Associate will lead and close buy-side and sell-side M&A deals while managing the corporate work for clients. Responsibilities include drafting and negotiating deal documents, driving diligence and closings, and advising clients on structure and risk. | Candidates must have a J.D. from an accredited law school and be admitted in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, with a preference for New York. A minimum of 4 years of experience at a top law firm, with 3 years focused on M&A for private companies, is required. | About Bowery Legal: At Bowery Legal, we combine big-firm Corporate and M&A experience with the focus and flexibility of a boutique practice. Our attorneys have trained at some of the most respected law firms in the world, including Latham & Watkins, Gunderson Dettmer, Skadden, Mayer Brown, Greenberg Traurig, and Baker McKenzie. We are highly-capable, Big Law-trained attorneys who have all decided that there must be a better (and more humane) way to practice law while still being exceptional in our craft. For attorneys out there that feel the same way, Bowery Legal is an oasis in the desert. About the Role: We’re hiring an Associate, with a proven background and interest in M&A, to lead and close buy-side and sell-side deals across various industries, plus handle the corporate work that surrounds many of our company and investment fund clients (venture financings, reorganizations, commercial agreements, cap tables, and governance). If you love translating legal complexity into business leverage, this role is for you. As part of a general corporate boutique, this position will also be involved in the other areas of our practice, including company formations, financings, commercial drafting and negotiation, and general outside-GC support. What You’ll Do: Own transactions end-to-end: Draft/negotiate deal related documents such as LOIs, purchase agreements (stock/asset), merger agreements, disclosure schedules, ancillaries, earn-outs, rollover equity, TSA, and joinders. Drive diligence and closings: Scope diligence, coordinate workstreams, manage timelines, clear issues, and run clean closings. Be the practical voice in the room: Advise clients on structure, risk, and trade-offs—grounded in deal reality and growth goals. Support the full company lifecycle: Venture rounds (SAFEs/convertibles/Series docs), restructurings, equity plan updates, commercial contracts (SaaS/MSA/DPA), and governance. Lead with ownership: Supervise junior attorneys/paralegals, standardize templates/playbooks, and improve how we deliver world-class service. Grow relationships: Serve as outside “in-house” counsel for recurring clients; help with thought leadership and BD when it aligns with your interests. Required Experience: Background: J.D. from an accredited law school; admitted and in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction (NY admission or eligibility preferred). Experience: 4+ years at a top Big Law firm (AmLaw or equivalent) with 3+ years focused on M&A for private companies (tech/VC environment a plus). Expert drafting in SPAs/APAs/merger agreements, reps & warranties, indemnities, baskets/caps, earn-outs, RWI, and post-close covenants. Exposure to, and the ability to navigate, a wide range of deal structures preferred. Strong project management across cross-functional teams; clear, concise client comms. Style: Business-first, founder-friendly, bias to action, crisp judgment, low-ego collaborator. Exposure to tax, IP, privacy, employment, or regulatory issues common in tech deals preferred. Comfort with cap table tools and data rooms; RWI experience preferred.