Fab Automation Manager

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc.; Sugar Land, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) matching

Relocation package within US

Immigration sponsorships

Job summary

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. in Sugar Land, Texas, seeks a senior Fab Automation Manager to lead a team of automation engineers. You will design, deploy, and sustain equipment automation, MES interfaces, and factory systems to boost quality, delivery, and production capacity.

Responsibilities include leading section managers, collaborating with vendors and production teams, and driving Lean initiatives in a cleanroom environment, with on-site work and extended hours as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering required; advanced degrees preferred.
• 5+ years in semiconductor/compound semiconductor and/or transceiver manufacturing automation; supervisory exp preferred.
• Strong analytical skills with data-driven decision making.
• Experience with MES/ERP and SECS/GEM interfaces preferred.
• Proficiency with MS Office; SQL and programming languages helpful.

Responsibilities

• Lead a Fab Automation section of managers and engineers across multiple locations.
• Collaborate with vendors and production to deliver automation solutions meeting quality, delivery, and cost goals.
• Develop section metrics and dashboards communicating automation health and status.
• Drive projects to improve productivity, reduce lead time, and cut costs.
• Design and sustain SECS/GEM interfaces and data collection for equipment.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Leadership

Communication

Team management

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering

Masters or PhD preferred

Tools

SECS/GEM

SQL

Python

C#

LabVIEW

PLC programming

Job description

AOI is committed to providing equal opportunity in all of our employment practices, including hiring, placement, promotion, training, transfer and compensation, to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, religion, sex, veteran status, age, disability, marital status, or any other category protected by State or U.S. Federal law. Moreover, we endeavor to treat our employees fairly.

The purpose of this position is to manage a Fab Automation section of automation engineers supporting compound semiconductor fab and transceiver assembly line. The role leads a team of automation engineers to design develop, deploy, and sustain equipment automation, MES interfaces, and factory systems that improve Quality, Delivery, Cost, and production capacity.

Responsibilities

• Lead a section consisting of Fab Automation section managers and engineers, assigning work, reviewing designs, and developing team capability and performance. Automation teams will be involved with multiple Fab locations.
• Collaborate with automation equipment vendors, production line, process, and equipment engineering to understand operations and deliver automation solutions that meet capability, Quality, Delivery, and Cost goals.
• Determine section metrics and maintain dashboards that communicate equipment automation health, project status, and production impact to the Fab Automation Manager.
• Drive section projects that increase productivity, reduce lead time, improve quality, and achieve cost savings.
• Identify equipment and process automation capabilities and limitations; calculate automation-enabled capacity and coordinate with production control.
• Design, implement, and sustain SECS/GEM, recipe, interlock, and data collection interfaces for assembly and fab equipment.
• Improve labor productivity through deployment of best-known methods, error-proofing, and Lean Manufacturing principles in automated operations.
• Support incoming automation equipment acceptance, automation buy-off, spare strategy, and restocking follow-up for automation hardware and software.
• Provide training and instruction to engineers, technicians, and production users of automation tools and procedures.
• Coordinate section first level response and troubleshooting to fab incidents, including safety alarms, environmental abnormalities, and equipment or host-system repairs.
• Working extended hours in a cleanroom environment. (cleanroom suit with full body coverings)
• Coordinate with group to get tasks and projects completed on time and perform other work-related tasks as required and assigned by your supervisor.

Qualifications

• Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering (Masters and PhD preferred).
• Five or more years of experience in semiconductor, compound semiconductor, and/or transceiver and semiconductor manufacturing automation; prior supervisory experience preferred.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to draw conclusions and develop strategies based on data.
• Knowledge of MES, ERP, and equipment automation interfaces (SECS/GEM) preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with SQL and other programming languages (Python, C#, or similar) preferred.
• LabVIEW, PLC, or industrial control programming experience is a plus.
• Experience in a semiconductor manufacturing and cleanroom environment is required.
• Strong organizational, prioritization, planning, and time management skills, including the ability to lead a team of section managers and engineers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills across all levels of management and diverse functional teams.
• Effectively report up and down on progress of tasks and projects.
• Ability to work in a cleanroom environment while wearing full body covered gowns and to perform effectively in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment

Location

This position will be on-site based in Sugar Land, Texas.

WHY AOI?

• Flexible and competitive health (medical, dental, vision) plans offer the employee with the right options to meet individual needs
• Employer matching on 401(k) deferrals
• Unused PTO payout at end of the year
• Relocation package available within US
• Immigration sponsorships (Must be currently authorized to work in the US)

We do not accept unsolicited proposals from third-party recruiters or agencies. Contacting hiring managers directly may result in disqualification of submissions.