Director of Indium Phosphide (InP) Wafer Fab Operations

Coherent Corp.; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

Coherent Corp. in Fremont, CA, seeks an accomplished Director to lead the Indium Phosphide wafer Fab Operations on-site. You will oversee startup, qualification, production ramp, and ongoing operations to ensure safety, quality, and delivery excellence.

This executive role requires deep semiconductor manufacturing expertise, strategic roadmap development, and cross-functional leadership across Supply Chain, Product Management, and Quality to meet customer commitments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Master’s degree in engineering preferred, MBA or related discipline.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive leadership experience in semiconductor wafer fabrication or advanced manufacturing.
• Minimum of 8 years leading manufacturing operations, fab management, or operations engineering organizations.
• Demonstrated experience leading semiconductor fab startup, production ramp, or significant capacity expansion initiatives.
• Experience with compound semiconductor manufacturing, preferably InP, GaAs, Silicon Photonics, or III‑V technologies.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for all wafer fabrication activities, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality manufacturing operations.
• Lead the startup, commissioning, qualification, and operational readiness of a new Indium Phosphide wafer fabrication facility.
• Develop and execute the manufacturing roadmap to support business growth, customer commitments, and capacity expansion.
• Establish operational metrics, production targets, and performance objectives aligned with corporate goals.

Skills

Semiconductor processes

Manufacturing leadership

Operational excellence

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering/related

MBA or advanced degree preferred

Tools

MES

ERP systems

Job description

Job Description

The Director of Indium Phosphide (InP) Wafer Fab Operations is responsible for the overall leadership, startup, qualification, and operation of an Indium Phosphide wafer fabrication facility. This executive leadership role will oversee all aspects of manufacturing operations, including technology transfer, process qualification, production ramp, operational readiness, quality, engineering collaboration, workforce development, and continuous improvement.

Job Description

The Director of Indium Phosphide (InP) Wafer Fab Operations is responsible for the overall leadership, startup, qualification, and operation of an Indium Phosphide wafer fabrication facility. This executive leadership role will oversee all aspects of manufacturing operations, including technology transfer, process qualification, production ramp, operational readiness, quality, engineering collaboration, workforce development, and continuous improvement.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for all wafer fabrication activities, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality manufacturing operations.
• Lead the startup, commissioning, qualification, and operational readiness of a new Indium Phosphide wafer fabrication facility.
• Develop and execute the manufacturing roadmap to support business growth, customer commitments, and capacity expansion.
• Establish operational metrics, production targets, and performance objectives aligned with corporate goals.

Production Ramp & Operational Excellence

• Lead production ramp activities from development through high-volume manufacturing.
• Drive improvements in cycle time, throughput, equipment utilization, overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), yield, and cost of ownership.
• Implement Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Statistical Process Control (SPC), and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Monitor key manufacturing KPIs and implement corrective actions to ensure operational excellence.
• Quality & Compliance
• Foster a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with ISO standards, customer requirements, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
• Lead root cause investigations and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) activities.
• Maintain world-class product quality and manufacturing consistency.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner with Supply Chain to ensure material availability and production continuity.
• Collaborate with Facilities to maintain reliable manufacturing infrastructure and utilities.
• Work closely with Product Management, Sales, and Customer Quality to meet customer delivery expectations.
• Provide regular operational updates to executive leadership regarding production performance, risks, and strategic initiatives.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Master’s degree in engineering preferred, Business Administration (MBA), or related discipline.
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive leadership experience in semiconductor wafer fabrication or advanced manufacturing.
• Minimum of 8 years leading manufacturing operations, fab management, or operations engineering organizations.
• Demonstrated experience leading semiconductor fab startup, production ramp, or significant capacity expansion initiatives.
• Experience with compound semiconductor manufacturing, preferably Indium Phosphide (InP), Gallium Arsenide (GaAs), Silicon Photonics, or III‑V semiconductor technologies.
• Proven experience managing cross‑functional organizations and large manufacturing teams.

Skills

Technical Competencies

• Deep understanding of semiconductor wafer fabrication processes, equipment, and manufacturing systems.
• Knowledge of lithography, etch, deposition, diffusion, implant, CMP, metrology, wafer testing, and process integration.
• Experience with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), ERP systems, and factory automation.
• Strong knowledge of statistical process control (SPC), Design of Experiments (DOE), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and yield improvement methodologies.

Leadership Skills

• Proven ability to lead through organizational growth, change, and transformation.
• Exceptional strategic planning and execution capabilities.
• Strong decision‑making and problem‑solving skills.

Communication & Collaboration

• Excellent coaching, mentoring, and talent development abilities.
• Ability to influence across all organizational levels, including executive leadership.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to communicate complex technical and operational information to executive leadership.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective cross‑functional partnerships.
• Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary teams in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.

Working Conditions

• This role will be based on‑site in Fremont, CA.
• Regular use of a computer and other office equipment is necessary.

Physical Requirements

• Occasional travel to other sites may be necessary.
• Sitting for extended periods while working on a computer or in meetings.
• Use of hands and fingers for typing, writing, and handling documents.
• Occasional lifting of objects or materials up to 20 pounds for administrative tasks.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality And Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

• Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust
• Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
• Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome
• Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone
• Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [e-mail].

About Us

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard‑work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!

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