Senior Manager - Wafer Fab

SkyWater Technology, Inc.; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Incentive plans

401(k) match

Life insurance

Comprehensive benefits

On-site cafeteria

Fitness facility

Job summary

SkyWater Technology, Inc. in Austin, TX, seeks a Senior Manager for Thin Films and CMP Engineering to lead 200 mm high-volume fab operations, delivering stability, cost reduction, tool productivity and yield gains on mature nodes.

You will manage a 24/7 engineering team, support NPD with design/integration, own lithography processes, control plans, and drive continuous improvement using SPC, DOE, FMEA and 8D methods.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or related field (advanced degree a plus).
• 8+ years of semiconductor manufacturing experience, preferably in 150 mm/200 mm fabs.
• 3+ years of leadership or supervisory experience in a production environment with a proven track record of performance management.
• Strong background in Thin Films and CMP for mature technology nodes.
• Expertise with Thin Films and CMP processes, metrology, and control.
• Experience with SPC, DOE, FMEA, and yield improvement methodologies.
• Proven ability to lead teams and drive accountability in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Strong focus on operational excellence, tool utilization, and cycle time reduction.
• Ability to prioritize and manage competing production demands while maintaining a results-oriented focus.
• Effective cross-functional communication with manufacturing, integration, and maintenance teams.
• Results-driven mindset with a focus on measurable yield, cost, and throughput.
• 8D and structured problem-solving mentality.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and hold accountable a team of ThinFilms/CMP engineers supporting 24/7 fab operations and development.
• Support New Product Development (NPD) by partnering with design and integration teams to develop and stabilize new lithography layers and processes.
• Own and drive results for lithography processes on mature nodes, ensuring high uptime, repeatability, and yield performance against strict production KPIs.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on defect density reduction, overlay control, and CD uniformity.
• Utilize structured problem-solving to contain and address process issues, ensuring timely resolution and sustained results.
• Oversee process control systems, including SPC, FDC, and other control strategies.
• Maintain and improve process documentation, recipes, and control plans.
• Support technology transfers, customer qualifications, and process improvements, taking ownership of project timelines and deliverables.

Job description

The Thin Films and CMP Engineering Senior Manager leads Thins/CMP operations in a 200 mm high-volume semiconductor manufacturing facility in Austin, Texas. This role is directly accountable for delivering measurable results in process stability, cost reduction, tool productivity, and continuous yield improvement across mature technology nodes. The ideal candidate will balance strong technical expertise with the operational leadership required to support New Product Development (NPD) and maintain reliable, high-throughput manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Lead, develop, and hold accountable a team of ThinFilms/CMP engineers supporting 24/7 fab operations and development.
• Support New Product Development (NPD) by partnering with design and integration teams to develop and stabilize new lithography layers and processes.
• Own and drive results for lithography processes on mature nodes, ensuring high uptime, repeatability, and yield performance against strict production KPIs.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on defect density reduction, overlay control, and CD uniformity.
• Utilize structured problem-solving to contain and address process issues, ensuring timely resolution and sustained results.
• Oversee process control systems, including SPC, FDC, and other control strategies.
• Maintain and improve process documentation, recipes, and control plans.
• Support technology transfers, customer qualifications, and process improvements, taking ownership of project timelines and deliverables.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or related field (advanced degree a plus).
• 8+ years of semiconductor manufacturing experience, preferably in 150 mm/200 mm fabs.
• 3+ years of leadership or supervisory experience in a production environment with a proven track record of performance management.
• Strong background in Thin Films and CMP for mature technology nodes.
• Expertise with Thin Films and CMP processes, metrology, and control.
• Experience with SPC, DOE, FMEA, and yield improvement methodologies.
• Proven ability to lead teams and drive accountability in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Strong focus on operational excellence, tool utilization, and cycle time reduction.
• Ability to prioritize and manage competing production demands while maintaining a results-oriented focus.
• Effective cross-functional communication with manufacturing, integration, and maintenance teams.
• Results-driven mindset with a focus on measurable yield, cost, and throughput.
• 8D and structured problem-solving mentality.

SkyWater offers an exciting environment where the brightest semiconductor minds come together to achieve exceptional results. We offer a competitive salary and an opportunity to participate in incentive plans as well as other employee financial benefits, including a 401 (k) match and life insurance.

Additionally, SkyWater offers a comprehensive benefits package which promotes a healthy life. This includes benefit eligibility day one, medical, dental, mental health benefits, vision, legal planning, short- and long-term disability, paid time off, paid holidays, an on-site cafeteria, fitness facility, and self-serve market.