Vice President of Fab Engineering

Description

  Job Purpose 

The Vice President of Fab Engineering is a critical executive leader responsible for the strategic direction, operational execution, and technical capability of the entire semiconductor fabrication facility. This role oversees all Fab engineering disciplines—including Process Engineering, Process Integration, Equipment/Maintenance Engineering, and Yield Enhancement—to deliver on world-class manufacturing metrics. The VP ensures the Fab scales efficiently to meet commercial revenue targets, manages annual CapEx and OpEx budgets, drives technology transfers from R&D to High-Volume Manufacturing (HVM), and cultivates a high-performance culture of engineering excellence.

Essential Responsibilities

• Executive & Strategic Leadership: Define and execute the long-term technical roadmap for Fab operations, aligning engineering capabilities with corporate growth, product roadmaps, and business unit priorities (such as the CPBU).
• Operational Excellence & Profitability: Hold ultimate accountability for Fab operational performance metrics, including baseline wafer yield, factory cycle time, overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), and cost per wafer.
• Cross-Functional Engineering Alignment: 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.
• CapEx & Asset Management: Spearhead the Fab’s capital expenditure (CapEx) strategy, overseeing multi-million dollar tool procurement, facility expansions, cleanroom space optimization, and advanced capacity planning.
• Strategic Vendor & Joint Venture Relations: Lead executive-level negotiations and maintain strategic partnerships with primary semiconductor equipment manufacturers (OEMs), chemical/material suppliers, and external foundries.
• Quality & Risk Management: Establish and enforce comprehensive quality management systems (such as automotive-grade or aerospace standards if applicable), leading the Fab response to critical technical excursions or supply chain risks to guarantee 24/7 business continuity.
• Financial & Budgetary Oversight: Develop and manage the comprehensive annual operational budget (OpEx) for Fab engineering, identifying structural cost-reduction opportunities without sacrificing yield or quality.
• Talent Cultivation & Culture: 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.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• 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.

Competencies

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

Requirements

Required Education and Experience

• Education: Master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a highly related engineering/scientific discipline.
• Industrial Experience: 15+ years of progressive technical experience in semiconductor manufacturing, with a deep understanding of Front End (FEOL) and Back End (BEOL) processing.
• Leadership Experience: 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.
• Track Record: 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).

Work Environment & Physical Demands

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

Why Skorpios?

At Skorpios, you will be at the forefront of the silicon photonics revolution. We offer the chance to work on truly disruptive technology that is changing how the world connects. You will be part of a team where technical excellence is celebrated and where your contributions have a direct impact on the success of our next-generation product lines. 

Skorpios offers an excellent benefits package which includes:

• Competitive salary
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k)
• Company paid Life Insurance
• Company paid Disability
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Vacation
• Gym Membership Discounts

Export Control / ITAR Statement: This position is located at a facility that operates under International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be 'U.S. persons' within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a 'U.S. person' as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e., 'Green Card Holder'), Political Asylee, or Refugee.

Skorpios Technologies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age (40 and over), physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, protected leave status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

As a federal contractor, Skorpios Technologies, Inc. takes affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply.

Skorpios Technologies, Inc. is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at or [email protected]

Work Environment

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

Work Authorization/Security Clearance Requirements

Authorization may be required to release covered technology to employees who are not U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, asylees, or refugees.

Compensation and Benefits

Skorpios embraces a Total Compensation philosophy that includes a base salary and eligibility for overtime for non-exempt roles.

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support employee health, welfare, and retirement. Highlights include healthcare benefits, a 401(k) savings plan, and paid time off.

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.