Sr. Manager, Equipment Engineering (49746)

Headway Technologies; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Headway Technologies in Milpitas, CA is seeking a Sr. Manager of Equipment Engineering to lead a skilled team in a fast-paced semiconductor tool environment.

You will guide hardware/software troubleshooting, tool qualification, equipment upgrades, and project management to drive yield improvements and cost reductions. The role requires a decade of senior experience in equipment engineering and at least five years in leadership, with proficiency in AutoCAD/SolidWorks and MS Office.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent in Electronics or Mechanical Engineering.
• Ten years of experience as Senior Equipment Engineer in a high-volume semiconductor environment.
• Five years in a leadership role.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of equipment engineers to optimize tool performance and yield.
• Oversee tool data analysis, reports, and corrective action recommendations.
• Manage projects with varying scopes and budgets and ensure mass production readiness.
• Review and verify diagrams using AutoCAD/SolidWorks and ensure maintenance of tool standards.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to minimize downtime and improve reliability, safety and cost.

Skills

Leadership

Team collaboration

Troubleshooting

Data analysis

Time management

Education

Associate degree in Electronics/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Location: Milpitas, CA 95035. Position Type: Full Time. Education Level: 2 Year Degree. Salary Range: $150,000 - $200,000 per year. Job Shift: Days.

Summary

Under the direction of the Director of Equipment Engineering, the Sr. Manager of Equipment Engineering leads a team of highly skilled equipment engineers in a fast‑paced thin‑film manufacturing environment. Responsibilities include hardware or software troubleshooting, modification, upgrade, evaluation, selection, ordering, and installation of a wide range of toolsets used in the wafer fab manufacturing process; analyzing data, compiling reports, presenting findings, and recommending corrective action; managing projects of various sizes, scopes, and budgets; and consistently seeking opportunities to optimize tool performance, increase yield, and lower overall operational costs.

Essential Functions

• Manages, develops, and evaluates personnel to ensure the efficient operation of the department; makes employment‑related decisions as necessary, including hiring and terminations.
• Develops and maintains tool standards and procedures and ensures equipment engineers are adhering to them consistently.
• Coordinates tool data analysis, compiles reports, presents findings, recommends corrective action, and proposes long‑term improvement plans when needed.
• Tracks installation, site acceptance testing, and mass production readiness of new equipment; oversees relocation of existing equipment to optimize workflow.
• Develops, implements, and maintains a system to track tool records, inspections, warranties, and service agreements.
• Collaborates with manufacturing engineering or other cross‑functional teams to identify and resolve repetitive equipment issues, improve equipment reliability, review procedures and preventative maintenance (PM) frequency, and minimize equipment downtime.
• Monitors critical tool performance and ensures the tools are maintained per the established schedule and meet specifications.
• Investigates and implements countermeasures to prevent premature part breakdown.
• Uses AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar software to review and verify diagrams or schematics.
• Responds to inquiries for engineering support from other departments or groups, prioritizes projects, and assists with allocating engineering resources during critical tool downtime.
• Researches, develops, and implements an emergency tool recovery plan to keep tools functional during hard‑down situations.
• Maintains compliance with Headway’s Quality Policy.
• Manages and mentors direct reports regarding Headway’s Quality Management System (QMS) as it relates to their job function.
• Sustains and provides continual improvements to the QMS as required by job function.
• Adheres to all safety policies and procedures as required.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in Electronics, Mechanical Engineering, and/or equivalent relevant experience.
• Ten years of experience working as a Senior Equipment Engineer in a high‑volume manufacturing environment in the semiconductor industry.
• Five years of experience in a leadership role.
• Experience using AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar software program.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong collaboration skills to inspire teamwork among colleagues and vendor counterparts.
• Ability to research, evaluate, order, install, maintain, or upgrade various types of equipment, tools, or toolsets.
• Knowledge of semiconductor manufacturing principles, practices, and techniques related to equipment engineering and maintenance.
• Sound troubleshooting skills and fluency to work on equipment‑related issues.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications to create spreadsheets, Word documents, and presentations.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar software to review and verify schematics or drawings.
• Ability to manage multiple equipment projects of various scopes, schedules, and budgets successfully.
• Ability to implement procedures that increase reliability, lower cost, and improve tool performance.
• Ability to analyze data, compile reports, and recommend corrective action.
• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, with all levels of contractors, consultants, employees, and management.
• Productive and collaborative working with all levels of employees and management.
• Compliance with all safety policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated organizational and time‑management skills.
• Demonstrated problem‑solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Flexible and able to prioritize.

Working Conditions

The Sr. Manager of Equipment Engineering works primarily in an indoor environment from Monday through Friday. The schedule may be altered from time to time to meet business or operational needs and may involve travel from building to building as needed. Work is performed in a class 100 highly ESD‑sensitive wafer manufacturing facility; a cleanroom suit, hood, gloves, safety glasses, booties, and mask are required. Exposure to hazardous conditions, chemicals, fumes, gases, and loud noise may occur. The role requires standing, walking, bending, twisting, crawling, and occasionally pushing, pulling, or lifting up to 30 pounds.

Compensation

The annual rate for this full‑time position is between $160,000.00 and $200,000.00, plus bonus target and benefits. The amount within this range may vary based on additional factors including job responsibilities, job‑related knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer

TDK/Headway Technologies, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. Applicants requiring accommodation to complete the application process should contact the Headway Human Resources Department.