Manager, R&D Engineering

Mycronic Job Openings; California; On-site; USD 190,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

401(k) with 5% match

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Competitive base salary

Job summary

Mycronic is seeking a Manager, R&D Engineering to lead Surfx Mycronic’s plasma technology team within Global Technologies. You will drive end‑to‑end product development from concept to production for atmospheric argon plasma systems used in semiconductor manufacturing.

The role demands deep leadership, strong communication, and hands‑on technical guidance to deliver reliable, manufacturable platforms. Join a global team and help advance tomorrow’s electronics at scale.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Applied Physics, or a related technical field
• 8+ years of experience leading engineering teams and multidisciplinary projects, with the ability to provide technical direction, develop talent, and drive projects from concept through production release
• Demonstrated leadership, communication, and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to build strong cross‑functional relationships and drive collaboration across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and commercial teams
• Develop complex electromechanical systems, automated equipment, process equipment, or capital equipment, preferably within the semiconductor or high‑tech manufacturing industry
• Strong understanding of system design and integration, including mechanical and electrical components, controls, automation, and precision equipment
• Familiarity with engineering documentation, design reviews, technical specifications, risk assessment, and continuous improvement processes
• Experience with plasma technology, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, robotics, wafer handling, precision motion systems, or related technologies is preferred
• Experience collaborating cross‑functionally with commercial and manufacturing teams, including international operations partners in Taiwan or across Asia

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the R&D Engineering team, setting clear priorities and expectations while providing hands‑on technical guidance, mentoring engineers, and strengthening the team’s capabilities
• Establish clear technical ownership, milestones, deliverables, and resource allocation across new product development, sustaining engineering, and customer‑driven projects
• Partner with executive leadership and Product Management to translate business priorities and customer needs into structured engineering programs
• Lead the design, prototyping, testing, and productization of proprietary plasma engines and core subsystems, including electrodes, gas and power delivery, thermal management, and materials
• Ensure plasma engine performance meets semiconductor process requirements and supports the development of commercially viable products
• Direct the architecture and integration of complete semiconductor production systems, including wafer and substrate handling, tape‑frame handling, robotics, controls, and precision motion systems
• Ensure mechanical, electrical, controls, automation, and plasma subsystems work together as a reliable, safe, and integrated platform that meets performance, throughput, and uptime requirements
• Translate product requirements into system and subsystem specifications, interface controls, and verification plans, maintaining technical ownership throughout development
• Drive structured engineering practices, including design reviews, design of experiments (DOE), failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), design for manufacturability and serviceability (DFM/DFS), and reliability engineering
• Strengthen requirements management, configuration control, engineering change management, and technical documentation to improve traceability, consistency, and knowledge sharing
• Lead product development from early‑stage R&D and prototyping through engineering validation testing (EVT), design validation testing (DVT), and new product introduction (NPI), ensuring designs are verified, validated, and ready for production
• Work with Operations and Quality throughout prototype, pilot, and NPI builds to resolve design and process issues, validate manufacturability, and prepare products for production release
• Partner with the Taiwan Operations organization to facilitate design transfer, support production ramp‑up, and drive continuous improvement in manufacturability and product quality
• Collaborate with Product Management, Applications, and Service to align engineering priorities with customer requirements, field performance, and strategic sales opportunities while ensuring long‑term product reliability and scalability
• Lead structured root‑cause analysis and corrective action efforts to resolve complex technical issues and improve product performance

Skills

Engineering leadership

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Electromechanical systems

System design

Systems integration

Engineering documentation

Design reviews

Risk assessment

Continuous improvement

Plasma technology

Semiconductor equipment

Robotics

Wafer handling

Precision motion

Cross-functional collaboration

International collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Chemical Engineering or related field

Job description

Manager, R&D Engineering

Do you want to be part of an organization on the cutting edge of technology?

We’re looking for talented people to join our motivated and friendly team. We have an open, collaborative, and flexible environment. You’ll work alongside leading industry experts and take on challenging projects that bring tomorrow’s electronics to life. If you want to make a difference, are an effective communicator, love a good challenge, and easily embrace change, your next career adventure awaits!

Mycronic is a global high-tech company whose innovative solutions have been advancing electronics technology for over forty years. Today we continue to grow and serve customers in an expanding variety of industries. What we do impacts the future of technology, and in turn, the way we live in tomorrow’s world.

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Manager, R&D Engineering to lead the engineering team at Surfx Mycronic’s Applied Plasma business line within the Global Technologies division.

Surfx Mycronic is a fast-growing company that offers atmospheric argon plasmas for the high-volume manufacturing of integrated circuits, semiconductor packages, printed circuit boards, and other microelectronic devices. These automated plasma machines are an excellent choice for surface cleaning, activation, and metal oxide removal. Surfx Mycronic’s team delivers this atmospheric argon plasma technology for assembled products that are less likely to corrode, delaminate, orcome unglued during their lifetime. Our customers include the world's leading semiconductor manufacturers and technology companies.

The Manager, R&D Engineering will lead the development and continuous improvement of Surfx Mycronic’s plasma technology and automated equipment platforms, translating advanced concepts into reliable, manufacturable, and scalable products for semiconductor manufacturing. This hands‑on leadership role will oversee the full product development lifecycle, from concept and design through prototyping, testing, validation, and production release. The Manager, R&D Engineering, will provide technical guidance, develop engineering talent, strengthen product development processes, and collaborate with cross‑functional teams to ensure products meet performance, quality, reliability, and customer requirements while supporting Surfx Mycronic’s continued growth and long‑term business goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the R&D Engineering team, setting clear priorities and expectations while providing hands‑on technical guidance, mentoring engineers, and strengthening the team’s capabilities

• Establish clear technical ownership, milestones, deliverables, and resource allocation across new product development, sustaining engineering, and customer‑driven projects

• Partner with executive leadership and Product Management to translate business priorities and customer needs into structured engineering programs

• Lead the design, prototyping, testing, and productization of proprietary plasma engines and core subsystems, including electrodes, gas and power delivery, thermal management, and materials

• Ensure plasma engine performance meets semiconductor process requirements and supports the development of commercially viable products

• Direct the architecture and integration of complete semiconductor production systems, including wafer and substrate handling, tape‑frame handling, robotics, controls, and precision motion systems

• Ensure mechanical, electrical, controls, automation, and plasma subsystems work together as a reliable, safe, and integrated platform that meets performance, throughput, and uptime requirements

• Translate product requirements into system and subsystem specifications, interface controls, and verification plans, maintaining technical ownership throughout development

• Drive structured engineering practices, including design reviews, design of experiments (DOE), failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), design for manufacturability and serviceability (DFM/DFS), and reliability engineering

• Strengthen requirements management, configuration control, engineering change management, and technical documentation to improve traceability, consistency, and knowledge sharing

• Lead product development from early‑stage R&D and prototyping through engineering validation testing (EVT), design validation testing (DVT), and new product introduction (NPI), ensuring designs are verified, validated, and ready for production

• Work with Operations and Quality throughout prototype, pilot, and NPI builds to resolve design and process issues, validate manufacturability, and prepare products for production release

• Partner with the Taiwan Operations organization to facilitate design transfer, support production ramp‑up, and drive continuous improvement in manufacturability and product quality

• Collaborate with Product Management, Applications, and Service to align engineering priorities with customer requirements, field performance, and strategic sales opportunities while ensuring long‑term product reliability and scalability

• Lead structured root‑cause analysis and corrective action efforts to resolve complex technical issues and improve product performance

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Applied Physics, or a related technical field

• 8+ years of experience leading engineering teams and multidisciplinary projects, with the ability to provide technical direction, develop talent, and drive projects from concept through production release

• Demonstrated leadership, communication, and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to build strong cross‑functional relationships and drive collaboration across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and commercial teams

• Develop complex electromechanical systems, automated equipment, process equipment, or capital equipment, preferably within the semiconductor or high‑tech manufacturing industry

• Strong understanding of system design and integration, including mechanical and electrical components, controls, automation, and precision equipment

• Familiarity with engineering documentation, design reviews, technical specifications, risk assessment, and continuous improvement processes

• Experience with plasma technology, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, robotics, wafer handling, precision motion systems, or related technologies is preferred

• Experience collaborating cross‑functionally with commercial and manufacturing teams, including international operations partners in Taiwan or across Asia

Why Join Us?

At Mycronic, we love what we do, but most importantly who we do it with. Because to us the relationships we have with our customers and each other are the keys to success. Take part in the excitement of working with innovative people and global businesses who are elevating today’s standards in modern electronics. Share in the responsibility of bringing great ideas to life within an inclusive culture that not only promotes personal growth and embraces diversity but depends upon it.

We offer a competitive total rewards package designed to support your financial well-being, professional development, and overall peace of mind including:

• Competitive base salary range of $190,000.00 - $220,000.00 annually, targeted to reflect experience, technical expertise, and regional market value

• Participation in an annual short-term incentive (bonus) program designed to reward operational milestones, strategic accomplishments, and company performance

• Comprehensive Blue Cross Blue Shield medical plans complemented by robust dental and vision options to ensure complete health and wellness coverage for you and your family

• Full employer coverage for life insurance as well as short-term and long-term disability, delivering peace of mind and complete financial security against unexpected life events

• Access to a broad suite of optional supplemental insurance and lifestyle benefits, allowing you to customize your coverage to suit your family’s evolving needs

• Retirement growth with a dedicated 401(k) savings program featuring a generous 5% company match to help accelerate your long‑term wealth creation

• Tuition reimbursement program offering financial support toward advanced degrees, professional certifications, and targeted executive development to power your ongoing career trajectory

Learn more about what makes Surfx Mycronic a great place at Working at Mycronic.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Mycronic is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity and inclusion. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

For a company founded on passion, collaboration and outside-the-box thinking, there is no greater asset than a diverse workforce. It is the cornerstone of our global, internal culture, and we actively promote an inclusive and healthy work environment by embracing diversity and showing compassion for our colleagues. Not only does it fuel our innovation capabilities, but it also deepens our understanding of our customers as well as the different cultures in which we operate. We believe quite simply that diversity is our competitive edge.