Equipment Engineering Manager (Player-Coach)

Halo-Industries,-Inc.; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plan

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Life Insurance

Family leave

Free food & snacks

Stock options

Annual bonus

Disability insurance

Job summary

Halo Industries is hiring an Equipment Engineering Manager (Player-Coach) to lead and scale our Equipment Engineering organization on the factory floor. You will balance strategic technical leadership with hands‑on execution, driving reliability, debugging advanced tools, and instituting preventive/predictive maintenance from the ground up.

You will lead a team of engineers and technicians, execute FAT/SAT/IQ/OQ/PQ, and collaborate cross‑functionally with process engineering, facilities, and

Qualifications

• 7+ years of hands‑on semiconductor or advanced capital equipment engineering experience.
• 2+ years of technical team leadership or management experience (player‑coach mindset).
• Experience reading schematics and debugging electro‑mechanical systems on the shop floor.

Responsibilities

• Hands‑On Technical Leadership: act as the technical escalation point for complex diagnostics on the floor.
• Team Building & Coaching: lead and mentor Equipment Engineers and Technicians on the factory floor.
• Tool Qualifications & Installs: lead FAT, SAT, IQ/OQ/PQ, and tool releases.

Skills

Semiconductor equipment engineering

Technical leadership

Schematic reading

Troubleshooting electro‑mechanical

Root cause analysis

Cross‑functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Mechatronics Engineering

Job description

The Company

Halo Industries has developed breakthrough technology to revolutionize a decades-old semiconductor material slicing process. Our laser-based solution minimizes waste, enhances material cost efficiency, and drives innovations across high-growth markets, including automotive, telecommunications, and power electronics. Founded in 2014 at Stanford University, Halo received significant funding in 2024, paving the way for rapid expansion, strategic customer engagement, and the launch of volume manufacturing.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an Equipment Engineering Manager (Player-Coach) to lead, build, and work alongside our Equipment Engineering organization. As we scale volume manufacturing for our Stanford-backed laser slicing technology, this role requires a unique balance of strategic technical leadership and direct, hands‑on execution.

You will not just manage from a desk—you will lead from the factory floor, driving equipment reliability, leading complex tool debugs, qualifying new equipment, and setting up preventive/predictive maintenance systems from the ground up.

Primary Responsibilities

• Hands‑On Technical Leadership: Serve as the technical escalation point for complex diagnostic, electro‑mechanical, vacuum, precision motion, and laser/optical system troubleshooting on the floor.

• Team Building & Coaching: Lead, mentor, and grow a team of Equipment Engineers and Technicians. Lead by example on the floor, fostering a culture of technical rigor, safety, and continuous improvement.

• Tool Qualifications & Installs: Directly lead and execute Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), IQ/OQ/PQ, and release of new or upgraded manufacturing tools.

• Maintenance & Reliability Infrastructure: Build preventive (PM), predictive (PdM), and spare parts management systems from scratch to optimize OEE, MTBF, and MTTR.

• Root Cause Analysis: Drive structured problem solving (8D, 5-Why, FMEA) to solve recurring equipment failures and yield loss.

• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Partner directly with Process Engineering, Facilities, Manufacturing, and Executive Leadership to hit aggressive production milestones safely and cost‑effectively.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics Engineering, or related discipline.
• 7+ years of hands‑on semiconductor or advanced capital equipment engineering experience.
• 2+ years of technical team leadership, supervisory, or management experience (player‑coach mindset essential).
• Demonstrated expertise in reading schematics, debugging electro‑mechanical systems, vacuum/gas systems, or automated processing tools on the shop floor.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in high‑growth startup or pilot‑to‑volume manufacturing scale‑up environments.
• Hands‑on experience with Wafer Grinding, CMP, PVD, Wet Benches, Metrology, or Laser Processing equipment.
• Strong background in Lean Manufacturing, 8D/FMEA, and SOP creation.

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Free Food & Snacks
• Stock Option Plan
• Annual Bonus Plan eligible
• Short Term & Long Term Disability

• Base Salary: $160,000 - $185,000

AdditionalInformation

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all team members feel valued and supported. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, including those from underrepresented communities in STEM.