Director, CRT3 Technology CoE

Celestica; Richardson (TX); On-site; USD 210,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Celestica seeks an executive-level Director of the CRT3 Technology CoE in Richardson, TX, to lead the stand-up and operation of POC and NPI lines. You will build the Richardson CoE, drive rapid pathfinding, validate technologies, and co-develop the roadmap ahead of EVT.

This role partners with design, suppliers, and manufacturing across sites to ensure proven transfer packages. You will manage a multi-disciplinary team, ensure data-driven decisions, and align with governance to deliver

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in a high-level R&D/production environment
• Strong experience with SMT, packaging, QC/QA, and process validation
• Experience leading cross-functional teams across design, manufacturing, and supply chain

Responsibilities

• Lead and scale the CRT3 Technology Center of Excellence (CoE) and manage 33 roles
• Stand up four Richardson lines (POC and NPI) and automate operations with MES/SPC
• Direct pathfinding, technology qualification, and NPI launches for early transfer to volume sites
• Co-validate roadmap technologies ahead of EVT with cross-functional partners
• Own early build validation and governance to secure EVT/DVT successful transfers

Skills

People management

CoE leadership

SMT & packaging know-how

DOE & process validation

MES SPC knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

B.S./M.S. in Mechanical/Electrical/Industrial/Systems Engineering

Job description

The Director of the CRT3 Technology CoE is an executive-level leadership role responsible for standing up and running the HPS POC and NPI lines in Richardson, Texas, where new technology, materials and processes are proven before they reach a volume site. In this role, you will build and lead the Richardson Technology CoE and bring POC/NPI lines live in Q2 2027. You will turn customer and HPS architectures into proven processes through pathfinding and co-development, own early build validation on CRT3, and co-validate the technology roadmap well ahead of EVT. HPS NPD integrates the functions into one streamlined technical development process; it does not replace them. The Director therefore works hand in hand with HPS design, the Technology Roadmap & Suppliers team, the MTL and TRL readiness leads, test development, supply chain and the volume sites, so that every transfer arrives with proven process windows and the data behind them.

Detailed Description

• People Management & CoE Leadership Lead and scale the 33-role CRT3 Technology Center of Excellence (CoE), embedding an engineering culture of technical rigor, data-driven decisions, and cross-functional collaboration. Build deep on-site expertise in process engineering, tooling, test protocols, and failure analysis to de-risk first-of-a-kind (FOAK) materials, equipment, and assemblies. Manage line allocation and engineering bandwidth across pathfinding sprints, technology qualifications, and NPI builds in alignment with NPD governance priorities.
• CRT3 Proving Lines Stand-Up & Operations Drive commissioning and qualification of four Richardson lines: the two POC lines in Q1 2027 and two NPI lines in Q2 2027, partnering with facilities, CAPEX owners, EHS, IT, and equipment vendors. Own capability across SMT front end (SPI, placement, reflow, AOI, AXI, BGA rework), back end and assembly (selective wave, press-fit, TIM dispense, smart torque), test suites (flying probe, boundary scan, burn-in, two-phase liquid cooling), the FA lab, and an ISO 6 cleanroom for optics. Automate operations end to end using MES, SPC, and station-level traceability.
• Pathfinding, Co-Development & Technology Qualification Direct three CRT3 engagement models: rapid pathfinding sprints to explore novel architectures, technology qualifications for new components, and complete NPI launches that prove products before volume handoff. Guide programs through concept intake, DOE execution, rapid prototyping, and process capability optimization (Cpk). Lead Pre-EVT manufacturability pathfinding on decoupled builds to freeze designs early, partnering with HPS design teams and customer architects to validate concepts on real hardware.
• Technology Roadmap Co-Validation Co-validate breakthrough roadmap technologies well ahead of EVT, including NPO ICA, co-packaged copper (CPC), CPO, 224G links, flyover cables, advanced cold plates, liquid cooling, liquid-metal TIMs, and large BGA substrates. Partner with the Director of Technology Roadmap & Suppliers to ensure proving lines address ecosystem needs and host supplier and tooling qualification trials.
• Early Build Validation, Transfer & Governance Own early build validation on CRT3 lines, generating proven transfer packages containing validated recipes, process windows, and build telemetry for volume production sites. Drive NPD governance via gate reviews and NUDD risk registers to secure EVT/DVT first-pass success

Knowledge/Skills/Competencies

• Line Start-Up & Operations: Proven track record of specifying, installing, qualifying and running SMT, back-end and test lines or a technology development lab, including equipment selection, CAPEX planning and line qualification.
• Technical Depth: Deep knowledge of SMT and advanced packaging processes, large BGA and thick-board assembly, thermal solutions (cold plates, liquid and two-phase cooling, TIMs), optics and high-speed interconnect, and new materials and solder pastes. Strong command of DOE, process windows, Cpk, PFMEA and reliability methods.
• Data & Digital Manufacturing: Experience with MES, SPC and traceability systems, and with using build data to drive yield learning and transfer decisions.
• Cross-Functional Influence: Exceptional ability to operate in a highly matrixed environment, integrating design, manufacturing, test, supply chain and site teams around shared goals rather than working in a siloed or purely gatekeeping capacity.
• Executive and Customer Presence: Proven ability to present technology results, line plans and trade-offs clearly to executives and to customer engineering teams.

Typical Experience

Experience: : 12+ years in advanced electronics manufacturing, process development or NPI within high-performance compute, networking, hyperscaler, advanced semiconductor packaging or tier-1 EMS environments, with at least 5 years leading engineering teams.

Typical Education

B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or Systems Engineering (Advanced degree preferred).

Notes

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees are held accountable for all duties of the job. Job duties and the % of time identified for any function are subject to change at any time.

Celestica is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on any protected status (including race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran or disability status or other characteristics protected by law).

At Celestica we are committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible environment, where all employees and customers feel valued, respected and supported. Special arrangements can be made for candidates who need it throughout the hiring process. Please indicate your needs and we will work with you to meet them.

Company Overview

Celestica (NYSE, TSX: CLS) enables the world’s best brands. Through our recognized customer-centric approach, we partner with leading companies in Aerospace and Defense, Communications, Enterprise, HealthTech, Industrial, Capital Equipment and Energy to deliver solutions for their most complex challenges. As a leader in design, manufacturing, hardware platform and supply chain solutions, Celestica brings global expertise and insight at every stage of product development – from drawing board to full-scale production and after‑market services for products from advanced medical devices, to highly engineered aviation systems, to next‑generation hardware platform solutions for the Cloud. Headquartered in Toronto, with talented teams spanning 40+ locations in 13 countries across the Americas, Europe and Asia, we imagine, develop and deliver a better future with our customers.

Celestica would like to thank all applicants, however, only qualified applicants will be contacted.