Thermal Imaging Platform Architect

SkyWater Technology; BLOOMINGTON (MN); Hybrid; USD 159,000 - 238,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Life insurance

On-site fitness facility

On-site self-serve market

Job summary

SkyWater Technology is seeking a Thermal Imaging Technology Platform Architect to bridge customer requirements with platform capabilities. You will serve as the primary technical interface during opportunity development and platform adoption, working with sales, engineering, and business teams.

This role blends technical leadership with customer engagement and market insight, with 25% travel. The position can be remote or hybrid, requiring a strong background in semiconductor technology

Qualifications

• BS in Engineering, Physics or Material Science required.
• 8–12+ years in field applications, design, or process development/integration in semiconductors.
• Experience in Analog, Mixed Signal, ASIC design (90nm/130nm CMOS).
• US Citizenship required for security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical discoveries with customers and ecosystem partners.
• Define solution architectures and translate requirements into scopes of work.
• Drive internal scoping, prioritization, and opportunity reviews.
• Lead enterprise-level customer system understanding and technology tradeoffs across the Thermal Imaging platform.
• Build strong customer relationships and align solutions with business goals.

Skills

Analog IC design

Mixed signal IC design

Customer-facing communication

Education

BS in Engineering, Physics or Material Science

MS preferred

Tools

Cadence tools

Job description

Bold Thinking. World Changing. At SkyWater, our ingenuity helps improve lives around the world by manufacturing U.S. made semiconductors that are essential ingredients of modern life. Automotive safety enhancements, life-saving medical devices, consumer electronics and American security require semiconductors. Working in our Minnesota headquarters, Florida, or Texas location - employees join together to improve the world.

Explore what's possible. Joining our U.S. - based team means contributing to and learning about the commercialization of some of the most exciting technologies the world has ever seen. We are turning \"science fiction\" into everyday reality through technologies such as superconducting, 3D integrated circuits or computer chips, carbon nanotubes, photonic logic devices, micro electro-mechanical systems and other emerging device topologies. We manufacture products for aerospace and defense, medical, automotive, consumer and industrial markets, to name a few. Our customers include emerging leaders who rely on our intellectual property security and quality manufacturing services.

Step into the future. SkyWater's values of Integrity, Excellence, Collaboration, Empowerment and Growth Mindset guide us to cultivate an empowered, learning environment. We also invest in developing highly skilled, dedicated employees - and employees who are entering the workforce for the first time, from the military, and a variety of educational backgrounds.

Are you bold thinking? Find your place on our team and help us change the world!

Position Summary

The Thermal Imaging Technology Platform Architect is an enterprise technical leader responsible for connecting customer system requirements, market opportunities, and technology platform capabilities in thermal imaging. Blending deep engineering expertise with business strategy, this role serves as the primary technical interface for customers and ecosystem partners during opportunity development, technology definition, and platform adoption activities. Working closely with Business Unit leadership, Platform Managers, Sales, and Technology Development teams, the Technology Platform Architect translates customer and market requirements into actionable development priorities and solutions. The role combines technical leadership, customer engagement, and market insight to ensure SkyWater technologies remain aligned with evolving customer needs and emerging market opportunities. This opportunity can be a remote or hybrid position.

Major Areas of Accountability

• Lead technical discoveries with customers and ecosystem partners and assess solution fit.
• Define solution architectures and translate requirements into scopes of work.
• Drive internal scoping, prioritization, and opportunity reviews.
• Lead enterprise-level customer system understanding and technology tradeoffs across the entire Thermal Imaging platform.
• Support platform strategy with customer and market insights.
• Produce technical content and reference architecture for sales, marketing, and onboarding including white papers and conference presentations.
• Serve as the primary technical interface from concept to project kickoff
• Demonstrate SkyWater capabilities, support key customer technical issue resolution s, and advance opportunities
• Build strong customer relationships to position SkyWater as a trusted partner.
• Collaborate with sales, engineering, and business teams to align solutions.
• Lead creation of proposals and SOWs aligned with customer and business goals.

Required Qualifications

• Education: BS required in Engineering, Physics or Material Science.
• 8-12 years plus of progressive experience in field applications, design, or process development/integration within the semiconductor industry preferably in foundries.
• Required experience in Analog, Mixed Signal, ASIC design, ideally with 90nm and 130nm CMOS nodes technologies, demonstrating a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities these older technologies present.
• Demonstrated impact on platform revenue.
• Led multiple development programs from concept through qualification.
• Deep domain expertise in assigned platform or market including a strong understanding of semiconductor technology development and commercialization.
• Able to lead customer and industry discussions uncovering system level requirements via technical discovery workshops, document results, and turn into requirements to support technology development.
• Ability to translate ambiguous customer needs into structured project requirements.
• Strong customer-facing communication skills.
• Travel Requirements: 25%.
• Working knowledge/experience with Cadence Tool set for PDKs, layout, DRCs.
• Analog & Mixed Signal IC design experience (in addition to reference to ASIC design).
• Experience working with 3rd party partners: Tool vendors, Design Partners, IP provider.
• US Citizenship Required: This position will require the holding of or ability to obtain government security clearance which requires U.S Citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education. MS preferred. Engineering, physics, material science.
• 5+ years in system architecture or product design in assigned area.
• Working knowledge/experience with Cadence Tool set for PDKs, layout, DRCs.
• Analog & Mixed Signal IC design experience (in addition to reference to ASIC design).
• Experience working with 3rd party partners: Tool vendors, Design Partners, and IP providers.
• Participation in industry groups and ability to present to Executive level.
• Platform or Product Launch Experience.
• Regulated/Defense.

The annual salary range for this role is $158,960 - $238,440. Pay offered is based on many factors including, but not limited to, the job-related experience, skills, education, and credentials of each candidate.

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

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 fitness facility, and an on-site self-serve market.

SkyWater complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities unless doing so would cause an undue hardship. Alternative methods of applying for employment are available to individuals unable to submit an application through this site because of a disability. To request reasonable accommodations, to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at 952-851-5200 or [e-mail].

EOE, including disability/vets

We will never ask applicants to pay fees, purchase equipment or gift cards, or provide financial information before a formal offer of employment has been accepted. If you receive a suspicious communication claiming to represent our company, please verify its authenticity by contacting our recruitment team at [e-mail] before responding.