Director, Customer Solution Engineering

Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc.; Hillsboro (OR); Hybrid; USD 182,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

HITACHI HIGH-TECH AMERICA, INC. in Hillsboro, OR, seeks a Director, Customer Solution Engineering to lead hardware, design and supply chain initiatives within HTA's Semiconductor Equipment Division.

The role demands strategic technical and commercial thinking, aligning internal teams with customer needs and business goals. You will translate customer requirements into actionable roadmaps, drive proof-of-concept through qualification and deployment, and collaborate with HTA SCT, HHT KSD and other

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, materials science, chemistry, physics, or a related technical field.
• Master's degree or Ph.D. preferred; MBA is a plus.
• 15+ years of experience in semiconductor manufacturing, process development, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead hardware, design, and digital services initiatives across cross-functional teams.
• Translate customer requirements into executable roadmaps and drive concepts through qualification.
• Build relationships with customers and internal teams; travel as needed (domestic/international).

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional

Strategic thinking

Customer engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Master's degree or Ph.D. preferred

MBA preferred

15+ years semiconductor industry experience

Job description

Location: (HTA) NCP (Hillsboro, OR) Job ID: R0146975 Date Posted: 2026-09-30 Company Name: HITACHI HIGH-TECH AMERICA, INC. Profession (Job Category): Engineering & Science Job Schedule: Full time Remote: No

Position Title: Director, Customer Solution Engineering

DIV/DEPARTMENT NAME: SED

REPORTS TO: Associate General Manager

POSITION STATUS: Full-Time

WORK LOCATION: Hillsboro, OR (NCP)

WORK STYLE DESIGNATION: Hybrid (+50% Onsite)

WORK STYLE REQUIREMENT: Onsite - 80% / Remote - 20%

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

TRAVEL REQUIRED: 20% travel

POSITIONS SUPERVISED: TBD

EXPECTED PAY RANGE: $181,550.71 - $249,632.22 This pay range is for the position's base salary only. This position may be eligible for other compensation including incentive pay and/or allowances. Candidates will receive additional information during the interview and selection process.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director, Customer Solution Engineering position is located in Hillsboro, OR, to support the hardware, design and supply chain engineering business objectives of HTA's Semiconductor Equipment Division. This role requires a strategic technical and commercial approach, analyzing Hitachi supply chain for disruption risks, continuity robustness and business expansion opportunities, working closely with HTA SCT and HHT KSD. Understanding key customer productivity and manufacturability concerns on Hitachi etch toolsets as technology nodes advance, as well as EOL concerns, this position will lead an engineering team at HTA to identify hardware and design solutions to overcome these challenges, translating internal and customer requirements into actionable development roadmaps, driving execution from proof of concept through qualification and implementation. This role serves as a key technical interface between HTA, our local customer, HHT and key Hitachi group company internal engineering and development organizations, ensuring current customer needs are addressed while proactively and collaboratively identifying and developing solutions for future technology nodes requirements. Director will also be involved in driving digital services development, commercialization and customer adoption. While primarily focused on SED solutions, Director will also be required to actively seek to collaborate with MAD on both HW and digital services The position combines hardware and design development leadership, cross-functional program management, strategic planning and commercial enablement towards business expansion. Travel to Japan and other locations will be necessary to build relationships and drive strategic programs of key importance to all Hitachi stakeholders.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supply Chain Robustness, Hardware/Design Solutions & Digital Services (50%) Analyze supply chain for disruption risks and business opportunities, working closely with HTA SCT and HHT KSD Create and lead engineering team at HTA to identify CIP opportunities, investigate solutions around EOL parts, design hardware solutions and perform "proof of concept" at NCP/HTA; maintaining alignment with HTA SCT and HHT throughout, with HHT facilitating long term ECN/CIP/cut-in. Investigate opportunities for commercial development of second source parts/systems business, working jointly with HTA SCT and HHT, to ensure viability Regular interface with HTA customers to understand key equipment concerns; ongoing close communication with key group companies and HHT, collaborating on best known hardware solutions to manufacturability concerns of all customers, eliminating duplication of effort, minimizing toolset configuration variations where possible; driving improvements and insertion roadmaps with regular report out to key Hitachi stakeholders Translate customer productivity and manufacturability challenges into executable hardware and design roadmaps. Establish development priorities, milestones, technical objectives, and success criteria for key programs. Drive internal teams to deliver on schedule and in line with business objectives and opportunities. Work with account team to help drive digital services solution development and customer adoption Role is focused on SED, but Director should actively seek to collaborate with MAD on both HW and digital services
• Future Customer & Hardware Requirements (25%) Maintain a forward-looking understanding of customer technology roadmaps and anticipated hardware and design challenges. Translate customer technology roadmaps into proactive, actionable internal development plans. Identify gaps between current capabilities and future customer requirements and develop strategies to close those gaps. Support technology planning, resource requirements, capital needs, and development priorities associated with future customer programs. Drive disciplined problem-solving and continuous improvement across all development activities. Ensure customer commitments and development deliverables are clearly defined and effectively executed.
• Leadership & Organizational Development (25%) Direct and oversee hardware and design initiatives, providing technical and strategic leadership across project teams. Communicate technical findings, recommendations, development plans, and status clearly to customers and internal stakeholders. Build strong working relationships with customer and internal engineering and technical teams and establish credibility as a trusted development partner. Lead, coach and develop engineers/technical staff in solutions development, customer engagement, and structured problem-solving. Promote a customer-focused, collaborative, and results-oriented culture. Develop and maintain strong relationships across Hitachi and internal organizational functions. Represent the organization in customer meetings, technical reviews, development discussions, and strategic planning activities.

EDUCATION, LICENSES, AND/OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, materials science, chemistry, physics, or a related technical field.
• Technical - Master's degree or Ph.D. in a relevant technical discipline is preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Financial – formal financial qualifications or MBA preferred.
• 15+ years of experience in semiconductor manufacturing, process development, applications engineering, equipment/process engineering, or a related technical discipline.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Experience leading cross-functional teams and driving alignment on strategic priorities, business objectives, and organizational initiatives. Experience supporting Hitachi or similar semiconductor industry customers. Experience developing technology roadmaps and translating customer requirements into internal R&D programs. In depth knowledge of internal semiconductor customer processes and commercial decision making methodologies. Proven strategic commercial experience mindset, experience in and knowledge of business expansion strategies. Strong understanding of semiconductor industry technology trends and customer development cycles. Demonstrated experience influencing cross-functional organizations without direct authority. Experience managing strategic customer relationships and long-term technical partnerships. Requires the ability to travel domestically and internationally, as needed.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIREMENTS & SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Demonstrated experience leading technical development programs from initial concept through customer qualification and implementation, against tight deadlines. Strong experience working directly with semiconductor customers and their technical organizations. Experience managing cross-functional technical teams and multiple development programs. Strong understanding of semiconductor manufacturing processes, process integration, and customer technology requirements. Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to operate effectively in a technically complex, customer-facing, and highly cross-functional environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)

Hitachi High-Tech America, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Hitachi High-Tech America, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunities for qualified applicants without discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived of race (including traits historically associated with race, such as natural hairstyle), color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender (including gender expression and gender identity), marital status, registered domestic partner status, family status, military and veteran status, domestic violence victim status, medical condition (including genetic characteristics), physical or mental disability, pregnancy, or any other legally protected characteristic or status. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to [e-mail]

Hitachi brings together the world's greatest minds to help breathe life into new possibilities - and drive innovation for a better future. That's why we look for individuals who share our pioneering spirit, have imaginative ideas and are fearless when it comes to tackling the world's biggest challenges. Our people love technology - and they love making a difference. They have a passion for finding new solutions and working with brilliant colleagues. Every day they dedicate themselves to a huge range of exciting projects, contributing to the Hitachi vision around the globe. From engineering new sustainability solutions that conserve water and energy to creating the infrastructure for the smart cities of tomorrow, there's no challenge too great for our pioneers. And there's no shortage of opportunities for you to make a difference. Come and experience the dynamic, collaborative and creative environments where your ideas are welcome and new discoveries are waiting. To help you grow to your full potential, we strive to support our employees in their career aspirations and promote the freedom to explore new horizons.

E-mail us for data privacy inquiries or technical support.