Process and Product Development Manager Substrates

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

Powering the cars of today and tomorrow. Reducing harmful emissions. Giving unique properties to high‑end applications. Giving new life to used metals. As a global advanced materials and recycling group, we develop, produce, and recycle materials for a better life.

About Electro Optic Materials

Power in space. Vision at night. Coatings thinner than human hair. Umicore is a world leader in material solutions for the space, optics and electronics sectors - enabling every day cutting-edge technologies. We guarantee our customers secure access to supply, plus recycling technologies that give materials a new lease of life. To produce materials with even higher performance, and provide recycling to new markets, we cannot stand still. We need to find new ways to do things, discover new solutions and develop new processes. Which is where you come in.

Your Key Accountabilities

You will be part of the R&D Germanium solutions team within the business unit Electro-Optic Materials. As a Process and Product Development Manager, you will work on the development of our current and next generation germanium substrates.

Your assignment will be to build up vital expertise, know‑how and fundamental understanding on the substrates and the wafering process. You will improve our current processes and develop new processes for new applications. This work will run together with our suppliers, customers and R&D partners.

• You introduce quality improvement to our Germanium wafer products
• You are responsible for the successful qualification of developed processes internally and externally
• You will be in charge to set up and coordinate testing, and select and buy the correct tools to ensure timely industrialization of new technologies
• You work out, in close cooperation with production, an improved production flow, by crafting and testing out new and innovative processing steps
• You interact directly with end customers to fully understand their needs
• You manage the development of the required process steps/modules together with other colleagues and/or external partners such as equipment vendors
• You will develop, prioritize and follow‑up the development projects within a defined framework
• You report on Umicore R&D contributions in public‑funded projects
• You summarize and present the acquired results (reports/presentations/meetings)
• You coordinate knowledge transfer between the different stakeholders to ensure timely industrialization of new technologies

Who we are looking for

• You hold a Ph.D. in Physics, Chemistry, Materials science or related field
• You are able to understand process integration flows as well as do hands‑on process step development
• You are a standout colleague and can work in an international context
• You show good analytical skills and like to play with data, statistical analysis software skill is a plus (ex. Minitab, JMP, ...)
• You are used to work with timelines and can handle stress
• You can work according to a well‑structured project management methodology
• You have excellent reporting skills and are able to present results in a clear and concise way
• You have eye for detail but also able to take high‑level perspective when appropriate
• In view of the international environment, good English communication skills are required. The knowledge of Dutch is an advantage. Or you are willing to learn it quickly

What we offer

We aim to lead the way. Not just for our customers, but for our employees too. That is why we strive to create a collaborative environment in which we can all succeed, and a culture through which we can all share ideas, develop our expertise and advance our careers. We engage in building an inclusive work culture that offers equal opportunities for all employees irrespective of their diverse backgrounds. As you would expect from a world‑leading organisation, we will also reward your contribution with a competitive salary and benefits. With all this and more, imagine what you could do?