Kinetiq
Job Description
Position Summary:
The Engineering Manager - Equipment & Process is a critical leadership role responsible for overseeing both the equipment maintenance and process engineering functions within our Epitaxy semiconductor manufacturing facility. This position plays a vital role in ensuring the uptime, reliability, and performance of production equipment and process systems to support safe, efficient, and uninterrupted operations. The Engineering Manager is accountable for leading the maintenance technician organization, equipment and process engineers, driving continuous improvement, managing capital and sustaining projects, and deploying best-in-class engineering practices.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership & Team Management
- Lead, develop, and manage a team of maintenance technician organization, equipment and process engineers to support 24/7 production.
- Set clear performance expectations and provide coaching to drive individual and team accountability.
- Ensure proper staffing plans, training programs, and certification pathways to ensure technical proficiency across the team.
- Participate as a key member of the site technical leadership team to support plant-wide initiatives, safety, and compliance.
Equipment Engineering & Maintenance
Direct the execution of predictive, preventive, and corrective maintenance programs to ensure maximum equipment uptime.
- Oversee the use of Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) systems to track maintenance activities, parts usage, and downtime metrics.
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex equipment issues, including electrical, mechanical, software, and robotic systems.
- Own spare parts inventory strategy and implement cost-effective stocking policies to minimize downtime.
- Manage equipment calibration schedules to ensure ISO9001 and IATF 16949 compliance.
- Support equipment qualification and capacity expansion projects, including new tool installations and upgrades.
Process Engineering & Yield Optimization
Lead and manage the process engineering team responsible for Epitaxial growth process control, optimization, and documentation.
- Drive root cause analysis (RCA) of yield loss, scrap, and equipment-related process deviations using structured problem-solving methods.
- Oversee development and deployment of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Process Control Plans (PCPs), and FMEAs.
- Manage process change control, process qualification, and engineering change notices (ECNs) in collaboration with QA.
- Ensure accurate process data collection and statistical process control using available factory systems.
Project & System Management
Coordinate cross-functional engineering and maintenance projects with Manufacturing, Quality, and Facilities.
- Implement and improve Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) and Lean Manufacturing initiatives to drive OEE and throughput.
- Lead facility readiness planning for new equipment and process changes.
- Serve as the primary liaison with external vendors, contractors, and OEM service providers.
Safety, Compliance & Quality
Ensure all work is conducted in compliance with EHS standards, local and federal regulations, and semiconductor industry codes.
- Promote a safety-first culture through training, audits, and continuous engagement with the team.
- Continuously assess and improve work quality through audits, metrics tracking, and preventive actions.
Requirements
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, or Industrial Engineering (or related discipline).
- Minimum 7 years of experience in semiconductor manufacturing or similar high-tech industry. Epitaxy experience preferred but not required.
- Minimum 5 years of leadership or project management experience in engineering or maintenance roles.
- Proven success leading cross-functional teams in a fast-paced production environment.
- In-depth knowledge of semiconductor equipment maintenance, process control, and reliability engineering.
- Experience with MES, SPC, EAM, and other factory automation platforms.
- Strong analytical and decision-making skills with the ability to manage complex technical challenges.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); knowledge of Six Sigma or Lean is a plus.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
The Engineering Manager - Equipment & Process is a critical leadership role responsible for overseeing both the equipment maintenance and process engineering functions within our Epitaxy semiconductor manufacturing facility. This position plays a vital role in ensuring the uptime, reliability, and performance of production equipment and process systems to support safe, efficient, and uninterrupted operations. The Engineering Manager is accountable for leading the maintenance technician organization, equipment and process engineers, driving continuous improvement, managing capital and sustaining projects, and deploying best-in-class engineering practices.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership & Team Management
- Lead, develop, and manage a team of maintenance technician organization, equipment and process engineers to support 24/7 production.
- Set clear performance expectations and provide coaching to drive individual and team accountability.
- Ensure proper staffing plans, training programs, and certification pathways to ensure technical proficiency across the team.
- Participate as a key member of the site technical leadership team to support plant-wide initiatives, safety, and compliance.
Equipment Engineering & Maintenance
Direct the execution of predictive, preventive, and corrective maintenance programs to ensure maximum equipment uptime.
- Oversee the use of Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) systems to track maintenance activities, parts usage, and downtime metrics.
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex equipment issues, including electrical, mechanical, software, and robotic systems.
- Own spare parts inventory strategy and implement cost-effective stocking policies to minimize downtime.
- Manage equipment calibration schedules to ensure ISO9001 and IATF 16949 compliance.
- Support equipment qualification and capacity expansion projects, including new tool installations and upgrades.
Process Engineering & Yield Optimization
Lead and manage the process engineering team responsible for Epitaxial growth process control, optimization, and documentation.
- Drive root cause analysis (RCA) of yield loss, scrap, and equipment-related process deviations using structured problem-solving methods.
- Oversee development and deployment of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Process Control Plans (PCPs), and FMEAs.
- Manage process change control, process qualification, and engineering change notices (ECNs) in collaboration with QA.
- Ensure accurate process data collection and statistical process control using available factory systems.
Project & System Management
Coordinate cross-functional engineering and maintenance projects with Manufacturing, Quality, and Facilities.
- Implement and improve Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) and Lean Manufacturing initiatives to drive OEE and throughput.
- Lead facility readiness planning for new equipment and process changes.
- Serve as the primary liaison with external vendors, contractors, and OEM service providers.
Safety, Compliance & Quality
Ensure all work is conducted in compliance with EHS standards, local and federal regulations, and semiconductor industry codes.
- Promote a safety-first culture through training, audits, and continuous engagement with the team.
- Continuously assess and improve work quality through audits, metrics tracking, and preventive actions.
Requirements
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, or Industrial Engineering (or related discipline).
- Minimum 7 years of experience in semiconductor manufacturing or similar high-tech industry. Epitaxy experience preferred but not required.
- Minimum 5 years of leadership or project management experience in engineering or maintenance roles.
- Proven success leading cross-functional teams in a fast-paced production environment.
- In-depth knowledge of semiconductor equipment maintenance, process control, and reliability engineering.
- Experience with MES, SPC, EAM, and other factory automation platforms.
- Strong analytical and decision-making skills with the ability to manage complex technical challenges.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); knowledge of Six Sigma or Lean is a plus.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.