Tamaqua Process Scale Up Manager

EMD Electronics; Tamaqua (Schuylkill County); On-site; USD 164,000 - 219,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Retirement contributions

Other perquisites

Job summary

EMD Electronics in Tamaqua, PA, is seeking a visionary Process Scale-Up Manager to lead semiconductor chemical processes from concept to production readiness. You’ll guide a global team, drive technology development, and ensure manufacturing readiness through rigorous simulations and cross-functional collaboration.

The role emphasizes safety, quality, and regulatory compliance while coordinating with R&D, asset management, and manufacturing teams across US and Asia. On-site with travel.

Qualifications

• BS in Chemical Engineering; 8+ years in chemical process development.
• Experience in scale-up and technology transfer from lab to production.
• Strong CFD, kinetics, and process modeling capabilities.
• Excellent stakeholder management in global matrix organizations.

Responsibilities

• Line management of safety compliance and process integrity across programs.
• Define and drive technology and process development strategy for semiconductor processes.
• Own scale-up activities from lab to pilot and production scale; de-risk processes.
• Collaborate with global process development and equipment teams for tech transfer.
• Lead governance, risk management, and cross-functional program alignment.

Skills

Process development

Scale-up

Technology transfer

CFD

DOE

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Education

B.S. in Chemical Engineering

M.S./Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Pilot plants

Reactors

Process modeling software

DOE software

Job description

Work Your Magic with us! Start your next chapter and join EMD Electronics.

Ready to explore, break barriers, and discover more? We know you’ve got big plans – so do we! Our colleagues across the globe love innovating with science and technology to enrich people’s lives with our solutions in Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics. Together, we dream big and are passionate about caring for our rich mix of people, customers, patients, and planet. That's why we are always looking for curious minds that see themselves imagining the unimaginable with us.

Everything we do in EMD Electronics is to help us deliver on our purpose of being the company behind the companies, advancing digital living. We are dedicated to being the trusted supplier of high-tech materials, services and specialty chemicals for the electronics, automotive and cosmetics industries. We foster a global collaborative organization made up of individuals who have the passion to win, obsess about the customer, are relentlessly curious and act with urgency. Together, we push the boundaries of science to make more possible for our customers.

This role does not offer sponsorship for work authorization. External applicants must be eligible to work in the US.

Location

The Tamaqua Process Scale Up Manager is an onsite position with 25–40% travel to US and Asia sites, depending on program phase and site locations.

Your Role

We are looking for a visionary and execution-driven leader to lead our Hometown Scale-Up team, with a clear focus on semiconductor-grade chemical processes. In this role, you will shape the full development lifecycle – from early-stage scalable chemistry conceptualization and technology assessment through scale-up, piloting, technology transfer, and post-launch optimization. You will lead a high-caliber team, drive engineering rigor through simulation and data-driven methods and serve as a key interface between R&D, marketing, asset management, manufacturing, and other global stakeholders. Reporting to the New Product Development Assistant Director, you will lead a dedicated team of up to 40 engineers and technical staff as part of a global organization.

Key Responsibilities

Safety, Quality, and Compliance

• Line management responsibility for maintaining the highest level of safety and 100% compliance with all relevant rules.
• Designing processes with inherent safety and quality in mind and providing technical leadership to do so in the most efficient manner possible.

Strategy & Technology Development

• Define and drive the technology and process development strategy for semiconductor-related chemical processes, from early concept selection through full-scale production readiness.
• Lead technical risk assessments and ensure they are done with adequate rigor.
• Direct project scoping, technology assessments, and feasibility studies; establish clear go/no-go criteria for program advancement.
• Build and maintain technology roadmaps, risk registers, and stage-gate project plans aligned with business priorities.

Scale-Up & Technology Transfer

• Own and execute scale-up activities from laboratory and bench scale to pilot and full production scale; systematically de-risk processes for manufacturing readiness.
• Lead technology transfer to production sites, including process validation, QA/QC integration, and comprehensive documentation packages.
• Collaborate actively with the global process development organization to identify potentially valuable new technologies to be employed for current and future project scope.
• Collaborate with equipment engineering on the design, specification, and procurement of process equipment and automation solutions.

Engineering Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Champion engineering simulation and modeling (CFD, reaction kinetics, process modeling, DOE) as core tools for design decisions and scale-up risk mitigation.
• Drive post-launch optimization programs targeting productivity, yield improvement, and cost-of-goods-sold (COGS) reduction.
• Ensure full compliance with regulatory, quality, EHS, and safety standards across all CPD activities.

Global Stakeholder Management & Governance

• Carry out capital projects on time and on budgets. Communicate any deviations promptly.
• Serve as the primary interface for process development and production transfer with business stakeholders in the US and Asia; reporting line to the Germany-based Head of Global Chemical Process Development.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams (R&D, asset management, marketing, manufacturing, QA, EHS, procurement, supply chain) across time zones and cultural contexts to ensure timely decision-making and program alignment.
• Establish and maintain strong partnerships with regional manufacturing sites in the US and Asia, including transfer engineers, operations, quality, and supply chain teams.
• Participate in global steering committees and program reviews; ensure transparent governance, risk management, and milestone tracking across regions.

People Leadership & Organizational Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of up to 40 engineers and technical staff; foster a culture of engineering excellence, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Establish close relationships with team members at all levels and actively listen to their input.
• Drive performance management, succession planning, and capability development within the PDP department.
• Develop a learning organization that sees negative results as an opportunity to be exploited.

Who You Are

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in Chemical Engineering or closely related field
• 8 years of experience in chemical process development or closely related fields; semiconductor or specialty chemicals industry experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated track record in process and technology development, scale-up, and technology transfer from lab to production.
• Hands-on experience with pilot plants, reactors, separation processes, and downstream processing relevant to semiconductor or specialty chemical manufacturing.
• Solid background in engineering simulation and optimization: CFD, reaction kinetics, process modeling, DOE.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with experience navigating complex, matrixed organizations.
• Experience employing influence and thought leadership in global, cross-cultural teams; demonstrated proficiency in navigating regulatory, safety, and quality expectations across US and Asian manufacturing environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Additional qualifications or certifications in process control, optimization, or semiconductor manufacturing are an advantage.
• Expert-level proficiency in engineering simulations (CFD, kinetics, process modeling) and data-driven optimization methodologies.
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills; ability to translate complex technical findings into clear business decisions.
• Proven leadership and people management capabilities; track record of building, motivating, and developing high-performing teams.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills; fluency in English required. German and/or Asian languages (Mandarin, Korean, Japanese) are a significant advantage.
• High attention to detail; strong commitment to safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.
• Culturally agile; experienced in working effectively across international and cross-functional environments.
• Knowledge of semiconductor industry quality practice, cleanroom, or semiconductor manufacturing environments is a plus.

Pay range for this position: $163,600 - $219,000

The offer range represents the anticipated low and high end of the base pay compensation for this position. The actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level of experience, education, skills, and other job-related factors. Position may be eligible for sales or performance-based bonuses. Benefits offered by the Company include health insurance, paid time off (PTO), retirement contributions, and other perquisites.

What we offer:

We are curious minds that come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe that this variety drives excellence and innovation, strengthening our ability to lead in science and technology. We are committed to creating access and opportunities for all to develop and grow at your own pace. Join us in building a culture of inclusion and belonging that impacts millions and empowers everyone to work their magic and champion human progress!