Dir, Research Science
Essential Function
The Director of Research Sciences is a key member of the Silfex leadership team. This position will oversee setting the technical vision and delivering differentiated, production-ready innovations that improve yield, cost, capability, and customer outcomes. This role builds and guides a high-performing team of scientists and engineers, partners closely with Operations, Quality, and Product Management, and drives a portfolio of current and long-term R&D initiatives aligned to business strategy.
Key Responsibilities
Design and implement the overall research strategy for Silfex success
Define and execute multi-horizon research and technology roadmaps that enable new products, process enhancements, and manufacturability improvements in silicon components
Translate research into scalable manufacturing solutions; ensure timely transfer to Ops with robust validation, documentation, and training
Lead partnerships with key customers, suppliers, and universities to co-develop disruptive technologies and foundational research relevant to silicon manufacturing
Provide senior-level technical support for escalations, customer requests, and complex problem solving to improve productivity, capacity, and cost
Provide day-to-day leadership and management to Silfex that mirrors the adopted mission and core values of the company
Recruit, mentor, and performance-manage a diverse team of scientists, engineers, and managers; foster a culture of safety, quality, and innovation
Own the MFG R&D annual plans, and budgets; align priorities with business goals and customer needs across current and long-term horizons
Build replicable and scalable systems and processes to support production and business growth
Guide experimental design, statistical methods, and technology selection for materials, surface engineering, precision machining, and contamination control relevant to semiconductor parts
Establish technical standards, IP strategy, and knowledge-management practices
Lead discovery, feasibility, and scale-up of new processes (e.g., crystal growth/selection interfaces, etch/polish chemistries, thin-film/coat processes, thermal treatments) and product architectures
Build gated development processes and pilot lines; reduce tech-transfer cycle times
Maintain a balanced portfolio (incremental to disruptive) with clear ROI and risk posture
Structure and govern joint development agreements (JDAs), supplier co-innovation, and university research programs; ensure IP protection and milestone outcomes
Represent the company at technical forums; translate market and customer trends into actionable R&D themes
Serve as the senior escalation point for factory and field issues; deploy advanced root-cause, DOE, and Six Sigma tools to stabilize processes and improve yields
Lead rapid response teams for customer requests and qualifications; ensure data-driven decisions and clear communication
Define, prioritize, and manage R&D programs with scope, schedule, resources, and success criteria; institute stage-gate governance and risk mitigation plans
Track KPIs (TRL/MRL progression, first-pass yield, Cpk, cost/throughput impact, time-to-transfer) and report to leadership
Uphold EHS standards; ensure compliance with quality systems (e.g., ISO 9001) and customer specifications
Ensure data integrity, documentation rigor, and audit readiness
Execute growth plans and critical projects as the business expands
Design and build organizational structures which provide growth opportunities, cross-training, and avenues of succession at all levels of the team
Anticipate risks and put risk mitigation plans in place to avoid surprises
Monitor department performance against performance goals to ensure that progress is being made and collective action, if necessary, is taken
Validate existing business processes and accountability systems
Develop new business processes and supporting systems to support Silfex/Lam’s ability to quickly deliver world-class solutions to our customers, and drive to predictable results
Ensure processes are documented, followed, and archived
Execute growth plans and critical projects as the business expands
Design and build organizational structures which provide growth opportunities, cross-training, and avenues of succession at all levels of the team
Anticipate risks and put risk mitigation plans in place to avoid surprises
Monitor department performance against performance goals to ensure that progress is being made and collective action, if necessary, is taken
Validate existing business processes and accountability systems
Develop new business processes and supporting systems to support Silfex/Lam’s ability to quickly deliver world-class solutions to our customers, and drive to predictable results
Ensure processes are documented, followed, and archived
Execute growth plans and critical projects as the business expands
Design and build organizational structures which provide growth opportunities, cross-training, and avenues of succession at all levels of the team
Anticipate risks and put risk mitigation plans in place to avoid surprises
Monitor department performance against performance goals to ensure that progress is being made and collective action, if necessary, is taken
Validate existing business processes and accountability systems
Develop new business processes and supporting systems to support Silfex/Lam’s ability to quickly deliver world-class solutions to our customers, and drive to predictable results
Ensure processes are documented, followed, and archived
Execute growth plans and critical projects as the business expands
Design and build organizational structures which provide growth opportunities, cross-training, and avenues of succession at all levels of the team
Anticipate risks and put risk mitigation plans in place to avoid surprises
Monitor department performance against performance goals to ensure that progress is being made and collective action, if necessary, is taken
Validate existing business processes and accountability systems
Develop new business processes and supporting systems to support Silfex/Lam’s ability to quickly deliver world-class solutions to our customers, and drive to predictable results
Ensure processes are documented, followed, and archived
Execute growth plans and critical projects as the business expands
Design and build organizational structures which provide growth opportunities, cross-training, and avenues of succession at all levels of the team
Anticipate risks and put risk mitigation plans in place to avoid surprises
Monitor department performance against performance goals to ensure that progress is being made and collective action, if necessary, is taken
Validate existing business processes and accountability systems
Develop new business processes and supporting systems to support Silfex/Lam’s ability to quickly deliver world-class solutions to our customers, and drive to predictable results
Ensure processes are documented, followed, and archived
Execute growth plans and critical projects as the business expands
Design and build organizational structures which provide growth opportunities, cross-training, and avenues of succession at all levels of the team
Anticipate risks and put risk mitigation plans in place to avoid surprises
Monitor department performance against performance goals to ensure that progress is being made and collective action, if necessary, is taken
Validate existing business processes and accountability systems
Develop new business processes and supporting systems to support Silfex/Lam’s ability to quickly deliver world-class solutions to our customers, and drive to predictable results
Ensure processes are documented, followed, and archived
Execute growth plans and critical projects as the business expands
Design and build organizational structures which provide growth opportunities, cross-training, and avenues of succession at all levels of the team
Anticipate risks and put risk mitigation plans in place to avoid surprises
Monitor department performance against performance goals to ensure that progress is being made and collective action, if necessary, is taken
Validate existing business processes and accountability systems
Develop new business processes and supporting systems to support Silfex/Lam’s ability to quickly deliver world-class solutions to our customers, and drive to predictable results
Ensure processes are documented, followed, and archived
Execute growth plans and critical projects as the business expands
Design and build organizational structures which provide growth opportunities, cross-training, and avenues of succession at all levels of the team
Anticipate risks and put risk mitigation plans in place to avoid surprises
Monitor department performance against performance goals to ensure that progress is being made and collective action, if necessary, is taken
Validate existing business processes and accountability systems
Develop new business processes and supporting systems to support Silfex/Lam’s ability to quickly deliver world-class solutions to our customers, and drive to predictable results
Ensure processes are documented, followed, and archived
Execute growth plans and critical projects as the business expands
Design and build organizational structures which provide growth opportunities, cross-training, and avenues of succession at all levels of the team
Anticipate risks and put risk mitigation plans in place to avoid surprises
Monitor department performance against performance goals to ensure that progress is being made and collective action, if necessary, is taken
Validate existing business processes and accountability systems
Develop new business processes and supporting systems to support Silfex/Lam’s ability to quickly deliver world-class solutions to our customers, and drive to predictable results
Ensure processes are documented, followed, and archived
Execute growth plans and critical projects as the business expands
Design and build organizational structures which provide growth opportunities, cross-training, and avenues of succession at all levels of the team
Anticipate risks and put risk mitigation plans in place to avoid surprises
Monitor department performance against performance goals to ensure that progress is being made and collective action, if necessary, is taken
Validate existing business processes and accountability systems
Develop new business processes and supporting systems to support Silfex/Lam’s ability to quickly deliver world-class solutions to our customers, and drive to predictable results
Ensure processes are documented, followed, and archived
Execute growth plans