Team Lead, Field Application Engineer

Key Account Overview

We at VAT Group AG, headquartered in Switzerland, invite a highly motivated and experienced Team Lead to head our Field Application Engineering (FAE) Key Account team in the US, San Jose. In this role, you will lead a group of customer-facing application engineers supporting strategic key accounts, ensuring outstanding technical customer experience and alignment between customer needs and VAT’s technology and product roadmap.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the day-to-day activities of the US FAE Key Account team, ensuring alignment with business and customer priorities
• Take ownership of HR-related topics for the team, including onboarding, development, and performance support
• Train, mentor, and guide team members in their roles as key account focused Field Application Engineers
• Provide technical and business guidance for key account-related challenges and escalations
• Act as second-level support for critical customer escalations within the FAE US organization
• Drive the development and implementation of account-specific technical strategies aligned with VAT product and technology roadmaps
• Translate customer feedback into actionable inputs for product management, business units, and corporate R&D ("voice of customer")
• Integrate global FAE and IDM-related input into key account activities, including NPI programs, product improvements, and escalation management
• Contribute team insights and customer application knowledge to internal reporting forums such as QBRs, account meetings, TRMs, and global sales meetings
• Ensure team continuity by supporting substitution of team members and, when required, supporting engineering management responsibilities

Qualifications

• University degree in Physics, Chemistry, Microelectronics, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or related semiconductor discipline
• Strong background in vacuum engineering and/or customer application engineering in semiconductor, Display, or Solar industries
• Proven experience working on system or subsystem level product development in a high-tech environment
• Solid understanding of VAT product portfolio and customer applications
• Demonstrated leadership ability with a strong interest in people management and team development
• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate technical topics into clear customer and internal messaging
• Able to work effectively in a global matrix organization and collaborate across functions and regions
• Strong sense of accountability, with focus on quality, delivery, and commitment
• Fluent in English (spoken and written) for global customer and internal communication

Benefits

Join a global leader at the forefront of semiconductor innovation, we are a globally leading company in the semiconductor industry
A technologically advanced and innovative working environment with modern engineering and development environments
Thrive in a collaborative, international environment that celebrates bold ideas and outstanding execution — where your leadership makes a direct impact
Work closely with global customers and cross-functional teams to shape next-generation vacuum and semiconductor solutions
Enable the development of innovative applications and contribute directly to product and technology roadmaps
Enjoy an exceptional working environment with strong support for professional growth and leadership development

Pay

Competitive compensation and benefits aligned with your expertise and responsibilities

Schedule

N/A

Skills

You can expect a dynamic and successful company where innovation, courage, fairness and transparency are encouraged and your ideas are welcome.

Application

Interested? We look forward to receive your application.