Ge Substrates: Process & Product Development Leader

Umicore; Town of Belgium (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Umicore seeks a Process and Product Development Manager to lead development of current and next generation germanium substrates in the R&D Germanium Solutions team within Electro-Optic Materials. You will build expertise on substrates and wafering, improve processes, coordinate testing and tool procurement, and drive timely industrialization of new technologies with suppliers and customers.

This role requires a PhD, hands‑on process development, strong analytical skills, and the ability to work

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science or related field.
• Ability to understand process integration and hands-on development.
• Strong analytical skills and experience with data analysis tools.
• Willingness to work in an international environment and coordinate cross‑functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Introduce quality improvements to germanium wafer products.
• Qualify developed processes internally and externally.
• Set up testing, select and procure tools for timely industrialization.
• Develop production flows by testing new processing steps.
• Interact with end customers to understand needs.
• Lead development with partners and equipment vendors.
• Prioritize and manage development projects within a framework.
• Report Umicore R&D contributions in public‑funded projects.
• Summarize results and transfer knowledge for timely industrialization.

Skills

Process development

Data analysis

English communication

International context

Project management

Education

PhD in Physics/Chemistry/Materials Science

Tools

Minitab

JMP

Job description

Umicore seeks a Process and Product Development Manager to lead development of current and next generation germanium substrates in the R&D Germanium Solutions team within Electro-Optic Materials. You will build expertise on substrates and wafering, improve processes, coordinate testing and tool procurement, and drive timely industrialization of new technologies with suppliers and customers.

This role requires a PhD, hands‑on process development, strong analytical skills, and the ability to work