Head of Epitaxy Program

About the Role

Antora Energy is seeking a well-rounded, high-initiative leader with deep subject-area expertise in III-V MOCVD epitaxial growth on InP substrates to lead the thermophotovoltaic (TPV) epitaxy program end-to-end. This role involves designing epitaxy development campaigns and managing external suppliers who execute them, requiring expertise in epitaxy, materials, experimental design, characterization, data analysis, and investigative skills. The position also demands exceptional soft skills to manage supplier relationships, negotiate timelines and pricing, and resolve technical and commercial issues. Additionally, this individual will drive the epitaxy development strategy to maximize learning speed while controlling cost, including the make-vs-buy decision on vertically integrating epitaxy R&D. This role reports to Antora’s Head of Heat-to-Power.

Responsibilities

• Lead multijunction TPV epitaxy development, including the design and development of multijunction III-V TPV device epitaxy to meet electrical, optical, and cost targets (e.g., tunnel junctions, quaternary absorbers, quantum wells, fast growth rates).
• Own technical and commercial epitaxy supplier management: design and communicate experimental campaigns, establish calibration routines, maintain data-driven specifications, negotiate timelines/pricing, submit RFQs/POs, and manage learning cycles with the device fabrication team (including data analysis and coordination of supplementary characterization like SIMS, SEM, TEM).
• Drive the make-vs-buy decision for in-house epitaxy capability, leading to a leadership-ready recommendation. If "make," lead facility requirements, reactor selection, staffing, and CapEx/Opex modeling. If "buy," demonstrate scalability through external partners.
• Qualify new epitaxy suppliers to access capabilities, reduce supply chain risk, and accelerate development.
• Manage the InP substrate supply chain, including supplier relationships, specifications, and pricing to prevent bottlenecks.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s in materials science, electrical engineering, applied physics, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of hands-on epitaxy (especially MOCVD) experience with arsenide/phosphide III-V materials grown on InP substrates.
• Fluent in epitaxial characterization and interpretation (e.g., XRD, PL, morphology analysis, ECV, SIMS).
• Demonstrated development of tunnel junctions in As/P material systems.
• Strong device physics knowledge, particularly for III-V optoelectronic devices (e.g., photovoltaics, laser diodes, LEDs, detectors), and comfort with device physics modeling tools.
• Understanding of commercial MOCVD reactor platforms and their impact on growth science and device outcomes, including facilities and safety requirements.
• Proven ability to manage external contract manufacturers for quality, speed, and cost.
• Exceptional soft skills: emotional intelligence, clear communication, relationship-building, negotiation, and conflict management.
• Willingness to take initiative across a wide scope, tackle unfamiliar domains, and progress through uncertainty.

Additional Qualifications

• Experience establishing or expanding epitaxy facilities (e.g., facility selection, reactor installation, permitting).
• Experience building or managing epitaxy teams (scientists, engineers, technicians, EH&S, maintenance).
• Epitaxy equipment maintenance experience.
• Technoeconomic modeling of epitaxy costs and capacity planning.
• Experience negotiating long-term supply agreements in the compound semiconductor industry.

Work Location

Onsite - San Jose, CA

Pay

Salary range: $200,000 USD - $280,000 USD (annual). The actual salary offered will be determined based on candidate’s experience, credentials, and expertise.

Benefits

• Equity compensation in the form of stock options.
• Premium health benefits package with life and disability insurance.
• 401K plan with employer contributions.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Industry-leading paid-time-off policy, including flexible and inclusive holiday observance and paid volunteer time off.