Fab Operations Manager: 24/7 Cleanroom & Utilities Leader

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc.; Sugar Land (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package available within US

Immigration sponsorships

Health plans (medical, dental, vision)

401(k) match

Generous PTO policy

Job summary

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. is seeking a Fab Operations Manager in Sugar Land, TX to lead all production-support facility systems and cleanroom operations on-site.

You will drive strategic planning, budget management, project execution, and team development to meet manufacturing objectives. The role requires 5+ years managing facility, utility, or engineering teams in electronics manufacturing, with deep knowledge of cleanroom systems, HVAC, and process utilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in semiconductor, electronics manufacturing, cleanroom, or industrial utility operations.
• 5+ years of management experience leading facility, utility, or engineering teams.
• Strong knowledge of cleanroom systems, HVAC, electrical distribution, process utilities, and facility infrastructure.
• Experience with budget management, capital projects, and cross-functional leadership.
• Familiarity with ISO management systems and EHS requirements.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the operation, monitoring, maintenance, and continuous improvement of cleanroom systems and production-support utility systems.
• Establish preventive maintenance, predictive maintenance, and reliability improvement programs.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts and ensure timely resolution of facility and utility-related issues.
• Lead the planning, operation, and optimization of cleanroom utilities, including electrical power, water systems, compressed gases, HVAC, chilled water, and other production-support utilities.
• Ensure sufficient utility capacity to support current and future manufacturing requirements.
• Monitor and optimize utility consumption, energy efficiency, and operating costs.
• Evaluate and approve major maintenance, capital improvement, and facility modification projects.
• Ensure departmental operations comply with applicable regulations, company standards, ISO management systems, and EHS requirements.
• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of policies, procedures, and documentation.
• Recruit, develop, evaluate, and retain department personnel.
• Build and lead a high-performing technical team capable of supporting 24/7 manufacturing operations.
• Lead responses to critical utility interruptions, facility emergencies, and abnormal operating conditions.
• Direct incident investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective action implementation.
• Coordinate with Manufacturing, Process Engineering, Equipment Engineering, EHS, Quality, and external contractors to ensure facility readiness and operational effectiveness.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for facility-related support required by production operations.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Cross-functional leadership

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, or a related technical discipline

Job description

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. is seeking a Fab Operations Manager in Sugar Land, TX to lead all production-support facility systems and cleanroom operations on-site.

You will drive strategic planning, budget management, project execution, and team development to meet manufacturing objectives. The role requires 5+ years managing facility, utility, or engineering teams in electronics manufacturing, with deep knowledge of cleanroom systems, HVAC, and process utilities.