Vice President Fab Engineering

This role is a critical executive leader responsible for the strategic direction, operational execution, and technical capability of the entire semiconductor fabrication facility. The Vice President of Fab Engineering oversees all Fab engineering disciplines to deliver world-class manufacturing metrics, ensuring the Fab scales efficiently to meet commercial revenue targets, manages annual CapEx and OpEx budgets, and drives technology transfers from R&D to High-Volume Manufacturing (HVM).

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the long-term technical roadmap for Fab operations, aligning engineering capabilities with corporate growth, product roadmaps, and business unit priorities.
• Hold ultimate accountability for Fab operational performance metrics, including baseline wafer yield, factory cycle time, overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), and cost per wafer.
• Unify and direct all Fab engineering organizations (Process, Integration, Equipment, and Yield) to eliminate silos, accelerate New Product Introductions (NPI), and ensure seamless technology transfers.
• Spearhead the Fab’s capital expenditure (CapEx) strategy, overseeing multi-million dollar tool procurement, facility expansions, cleanroom space optimization, and advanced capacity planning.
• Lead executive-level negotiations and maintain strategic partnerships with primary semiconductor equipment manufacturers (OEMs), chemical/material suppliers, and external foundries.
• Establish and enforce comprehensive quality management systems (such as automotive-grade or aerospace standards), leading the Fab response to critical technical excursions or supply chain risks to guarantee 24/7 business continuity.
• Develop and manage the comprehensive annual operational budget (OpEx) for Fab engineering, identifying structural cost-reduction opportunities without sacrificing yield or quality.
• Build, mentor, and scale a world-class engineering leadership team; drive workforce development programs, succession planning, and a culture centered on safety, data-driven accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Provide executive direction to a senior leadership team, including Directors of Process Engineering, Process Integration, and Equipment Engineering.
• Oversee organizational design, headcount planning, and talent allocation for the entire Fab engineering ecosystem.
• Establish top-down organizational goals, performance tracking frameworks, and executive coaching for department heads.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a highly related engineering/scientific discipline.
• 15+ years of progressive technical experience in semiconductor manufacturing, with a deep understanding of Front End (FEOL) and Back End (BEOL) processing.
• 7+ years in a senior director or executive-level role (e.g., Director of Fab Operations, Director of Integration/Process, or VP) directly managing multi-disciplinary engineering organizations within a 24/7 manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated success in scaling a semiconductor fabrication facility from low-volume R&D/prototyping into stable, profitable high-volume manufacturing.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant engineering field with published contributions to semiconductor or photonics technology.
• Extensive experience with silicon photonics integration or advanced optical communication device manufacturing.
• Formal certifications in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma Executive Leadership, or advanced Project Management (PMP).

Skills

• Exceptional ability to synthesize complex technical data into concise strategic insights for the Board, CEO, customers, and investors.
• Proven mastery of managing high-volume semiconductor manufacturing facilities, including deep understanding of silicon photonics, MEMS, or advanced CMOS nodes.
• Advanced capability in managing large-scale budgets, calculating return on investment (ROI) for capital equipment, and executing cost of goods sold (COGS) reduction strategies.
• Mastery in building alignment and navigating competing priorities across Operations, R&D, Finance, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams.
• Proven ability to lead large technical organizations through rapid scaling, structural transformations, and technological pivots.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Split between an executive office setting, boardrooms, and active time inside the cleanroom Fab facility.
• Periodic inspections and walkthroughs of the Fab cleanroom environment; required to wear full cleanroom PPE (bunny suit) during Fab visits.
• Up to 25% travel anticipated for vendor evaluations, customer executive reviews, and industry conferences.

Work is primarily performed in a temperature-controlled, open cubicle setting with frequent interruptions and conversational noise. This role may also require occasional work in a manufacturing or cleanroom environment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) savings plan
• Company-paid life insurance
• Company-paid disability
• Paid holidays and vacation
• Gym membership discounts

Pay

Expected salary range: $190,000 – $260,000, depending on qualifications and experience. The actual starting rate will be determined based on role-related criteria, including educational qualifications or equivalent experience, relevant work history, and the skills required for the role.