Head jobs in Singapore

Job Description

We are seeking a hands‑on Senior / Principal Process R&D Engineer with strong experience in micro‑machining of brittle materials (such as glass, ceramics, or silicon) for fiber‑optic and photonics‑related applications. The role focuses on developing high‑precision, repeatable, and scalable micro‑structuring processes, leveraging technologies such as nanoimprint lithography, thermal imprint / hot embossing, laser micro‑machining and hybrid micro‑fabrication approaches. The successful candidate will help build a small process R&D team in Singapore and drive early‑stage process innovation toward future high‑density fiber‑optic manufacturing platforms.

• Develop and optimise high‑precision micro‑structures on brittle substrates, including:
• Glass
• Technical ceramics
• Silicon or similar materials
• Explore and integrate processes such as:
• Nanoimprint lithography (UV‑NIL / Thermal NIL)
• Thermal imprint / hot embossing
• Hybrid flows (imprint + etch, imprint + laser, imprint + CMP, etc.)
• Establish stable process windows with strong repeatability and yield.

• Define requirements for precision molds / stamps / tooling, including:
• Material selection (Si, quartz, Ni‑based, hard‑coated tools, etc.)
• Surface treatments and anti‑sticking / release layers
• Study and optimise:
• Thermo‑mechanical behaviour of brittle materials
• Stress, shrinkage, deformation, and defect mechanisms
• Identify and mitigate risks related to:
• Sticking and release
• Cracking, chipping, and residual stress
• Tool wear and lifetime

• Define measurement and qualification methodologies for:
• Dimensional accuracy and uniformity
• Profile geometry and surface quality
• Defect density and process stability
• Utilise and correlate data from:
• Optical and white‑light interferometry
• SEM / AFM / profilometry
• Custom in‑house test structures where needed

• Build and mentor a small, focused process R&D team (2–5 members)
• Collaborate with:
• Equipment vendors
• Material and tooling suppliers
• External research institutes or industrial partners (as needed)
• Support technology transfer from R&D into pilot manufacturing.

• Master’s or PhD degree in:
• Materials Science
• Mechanical Engineering
• Micro / Nano Fabrication
• Applied Physics
• Semiconductor / MEMS‑related disciplines

• 5+ years of hands‑on experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Brittle material micro‑machining
• Nanoimprint lithography (UV or thermal)
• Thermal imprint / hot embossing
• Ultra‑fast laser processing for brittle materials
• Precision micro‑structuring processes
• Solid understanding of:
• Mechanical and thermal behaviour of glass, ceramics, or silicon
• Tool–material interactions at micro / nano scales
• Process repeatability, yield, and manufacturability

• Strong experimental execution capability
• Experience with:
• Process window definition
• DOE‑based optimisation
• Root‑cause analysis for yield and defect issues
• Willingness to personally conduct experiments in early‑stage development.

• Experience in fiber‑optic, photonics, or opto‑electronic manufacturing
• Exposure to:
• Laser micro‑machining of brittle materials
• CMP, wet / dry etching of glass or ceramics
• Multi‑step hybrid process integration
• Experience in early‑stage technology incubation or scale‑up
• Prior work in semiconductor, MEMS, or photonics packaging ecosystems

• Strong sense of process ownership and accountability
• Comfortable working in ambiguous, exploratory environments
• Engineering‑driven mindset with practical problem‑solving ability
• Ability to communicate clearly with management and cross‑functional teams
• Motivation to build long‑term, core manufacturing know‑how

• Potential evolution into:
• Principal Technologist – Photonics Manufacturing
• Head of Brittle Material Process Technology
• Opportunity to shape:
• Core process IP
• Future fiber‑optic manufacturing platforms and applications

• Work on next‑generation fiber‑optic manufacturing challenges
• High level of technical ownership and autonomy
• Opportunity to influence process architecture from the ground up
• Strong commitment to advanced equipment, tooling, and long‑term R&D
• High‑growth publicly listed technology company (JPT, stock code: 688025)
  Serving leading global high‑growth technology customers