Manager / Director of Operations

Skorpios Technologies, Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Medical

Dental

Vision

401(k)

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Paid Holidays

Paid Vacation

Gym Membership Discounts

Job summary

Skorpios Technologies, Inc. is seeking an experienced Fab Operations Manager/Director to oversee day‑to‑day manufacturing across our wafer fabs. The role emphasizes balancing tool utilization and wafer throughput for both mature production and advanced R&D projects.

You will lead cross‑functional shift teams, establish real‑time dispatch and WIP protocols, and drive safety, continuous improvement, and operational discipline across 24/7 operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant engineering or science field; Master’s/MBA preferred.
• 7+ years semiconductor wafer fab experience; 3+ years in supervision.
• Experience in dual‑purpose pilot/R&D and high‑volume production environment preferred.
• Proficient with MES and scheduling tools; TOC, Lean, Six Sigma, and 8D problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day‑to‑day manufacturing execution across wafer fabs.
• Lead cross‑functional shift teams and implement real‑time dispatch and WIP protocols.
• Balance tool utilization, throughput and development cycle time.
• Drive safety, continuous improvement and KPI performance.

Skills

Operational leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Data-driven decisions

Safety & compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering/science

Master’s/MBA preferred

Tools

PROMIS/Fab300

SiView

RTD

APF

SPC software

Job description

Description

Company Overview

Skorpios Technologies, Inc. are innovators in heterogeneous integration of silicon photonic technology and semiconductor development. The company is rapidly expanding the technical organization and seeking Fab Operations Manager or Director depending on experience. These roles are critical in developing the next generation of disruptive III‑V and Silicon Photonics integrated products. This role partners with two Fab Operations Managers. Semiconductor industry experience is REQUIRED for this role.

Job Purpose

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Fab Operations Manager/Director to oversee day‑to‑day manufacturing execution across our integrated production and technology development wafer fabs.

This critical operational leadership role requires balancing two competing priorities: maximizing tool utilization and wafer throughput for mature, revenue‑generating high‑volume manufacturing (HVM), while maintaining agility, engineering cycle time, and precise tool allocation for advanced technology development lots. You will lead cross‑functional shift teams, establish real‑time dispatch and WIP‑management protocols, and cultivate a culture of safety, continuous improvement, and cross‑functional operational discipline.

1. Production Execution & Operational Logistics

• Dual-Line Flow Optimization: Drive overall line flow to balance standard volume production commitments with rapid turn time (Q‑time/cycle time) requirements for R&D, pilot runs, and engineering lots.
• WIP Management & Bottleneck Mitigation: Implement dynamic WIP profiling and dispatching heuristics (e.g., Critical Ratio, FIFO with dynamic R&D priority tiers) using MES and RTD (Real‑Time Dispatching) systems to prevent line starvation or queue buildup at primary lithography, etch, and CMP bottlenecks.
• Queue‑Time & Shelf‑Life Control: Enforce rigid protocols for queue‑time‑sensitive process loops (e.g., pre‑clean to gate oxidation, silicide to dielectric deposition) to prevent wafer scrap and rework.
• OEE & Tool Utilization: Partner with Equipment Engineering to maximize Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE). Optimize recipe changeover protocols, batch sizing for furnace operations, and track/stepper matching to reduce non‑productive tool idling.

2. Production Planning & Capacity Scheduling

• Short‑to Mid‑Range Capacity Balancing: Collaborate with Supply Chain and Industrial Engineering (IE) to align weekly dynamic wafer starts with fab bottleneck capacities and planned preventative maintenance (PM) schedules.
• R&D vs. Production Tool Allocation: Establish clear, rule‑based reservation windows and lot‑release cadences for developmental process modules to eliminate tool‑time contention between process integration engineers and production line leads.
• Scrap Reduction & Yield Integration: Co‑lead root‑cause investigations with Defect Reduction and Yield Enhancement teams for misprocessing events, line‑yield excursions, and tool aborts, ensuring fast recovery and disposition of non‑conforming WIP.

3. People Leadership & Shift Operations

• Multi‑Shift Team Development: Work with all shift Fab Operations Managers to direct, coach, and support the fab team across a 24/7/365 operating schedule.
• Skills Matrix & Cross‑Training: Implement and maintain a comprehensive technician certification and cross‑training matrix across functional modules (Photolithography, Thin Films, Etch, Diffusion/Implant, Wet Clean, and CMP) to ensure workforce agility during shift absences or production surges.
• Safety & Fab Discipline: Champion cleanroom safety standards, hazardous material handling compliance, and strict cleanroom behavioral protocol to maintain contamination‑free operations and an incident‑free workplace.
• Performance Management: Set clear KPIs for shift output, moves per tool, line linearity, and compliance, conducting regular performance evaluations and technical career progression planning.

Requirements

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Industrial Engineering, Physics, or equivalent operational experience; Master’s/MBA preferred.
• Experience:
  • 7+ years of semiconductor wafer fab manufacturing experience, with at least 3+ years in a supervisory or management role within 200mm or 300mm front‑end cleanrooms.
  • Direct operational experience working in a dual‑purpose environment (handling both pilot‑line/R&D and high‑volume commercial production) is strongly preferred.
• Technical Systems: Proficiency with semiconductor Manufacturing Execution Systems (e.g., Applied Materials PROMIS/Fab300, SiView), automated dispatching/scheduling tools (RTD, APF), and statistical process control (SPC) software.
• Methodologies: Practical mastery of Theory of Constraints (TOC), Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and 8D root‑cause problem solving.

Core Competencies & Skills

• Operational Agility: Proven capability to make rapid, analytical trade‑offs when high‑priority R&D experiments intersect with high‑stakes production delivery deadlines.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills to interface smoothly between Process Integration, Yield, Equipment Maintenance, and Process Engineering.
• Data‑Driven Decision Making: Ability to extract actionable operational directives from complex fab metrics (e.g., moves per day, turn rate, tool MTBF/MTTR, scrap cost, and bottleneck capacity utilization).

Why Skorpios?

At Skorpios, you will be at the forefront of the silicon photonics revolution. We offer the chance to work on truly disruptive technology that is changing how the world connects. You will be part of a team where technical excellence is celebrated and where your contributions have a direct impact on the success of our next‑generation product lines.

Skorpios offers an excellent benefits package which includes:

• Competitive Salary
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k)
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Company Paid Disability
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Vacation
• Gym Membership Discounts

Export Control / ITAR Statement:

This position is located at a facility that operates under International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be 'U.S. persons' within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a 'U.S. person' as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e., 'Green Card Holder'), Political Asylee, or Refugee.

Skorpios Technologies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age (40 and over), physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, protected leave status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

As a federal contractor, Skorpios Technologies, Inc. takes affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply.

Skorpios Technologies, Inc. is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [e-mail]

Work Environment

Work is primarily performed in a temperature‑controlled, open cubicle setting. Frequent interruptions and conversational noise can be expected. This role may also require occasional work in a manufacturing or cleanroom environment.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance Requirements

Authorization may be required to release covered technology to employees who are not U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, asylees, or refugees.

Compensation and Benefits

Skorpios embraces a Total Compensation philosophy that includes a base salary and eligibility for overtime for non‑exempt roles.

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support employee health, welfare, and retirement. Highlights include healthcare benefits, a 401(k) savings plan, and paid time off.

Expected salary range: Manager $130,000 – $150,000 Director: $150,000 to $200,000, depending on qualifications and experience.

The actual starting rate will be determined based on role‑related criteria, including educational qualifications or equivalent experience, relevant work history, and the skills required for the role.