Senior Director / Vice President, Silicon Process Development & Technology Transfer

Position Title

Senior Director / Vice President, Silicon Process Development & Technology Transfer

Lead the world's first thermoelectric / thermal-diffusion nanocompressor-on-chip from proof-of-concept wafers in a Tier-1 university nanofabrication facility followed by a disciplined transfer and scale-up in a commercial 200 mm foundry -enabling next-generation, ultra-compact drug-delivery systems.

Reporting to the CEO, you will own wafer-level process definition, development, qualification, and technology transfer. Key modules include SiGe thermoelectric stacks, nanoscale thermal-diffusion channels, MEMS valve structures, and wafer-level hermetic packaging suitable for regulated medical devices.

Process & Technology Development

• Architect end-to-end flows (SiGe epitaxy, sub-100 nm thermal-diffusion fins, DRIE, wafer bonding).

• Execute DOE, SPC, and yield-learning initiatives focused on thermal efficiency, flow accuracy, process quality and long-term reliability.

Step-Wise Wafer & Surface Quality Assurance - Establish in-line checkpoints for surface roughness, film thickness, defect density, and contamination at every critical step; correlate metrology trends to both tool parameters and facility conditions.

• Disciplined, Data-Driven Problem-Solving - Drive rigorous observation and SPC dashboards, 8D, PDCA, and DMAIC to identify root causes, implement corrective actions, and sustain improvements.

Technology Transfer & Scale-Up

• Build and run the Technology Transfer Plan (golden lots, process-window mapping, device-level Cpk targets).

• Ensure copy-exact discipline, GMP traceability, and documentation for future FDA Class II submissions.

Facility Operational Quality

• Collaborative Environmental Control - Work with university clean-room staff to verify temperature, humidity, airborne-particle, vibration, surface contamination surveillance and ESD controls are commissioned, statistically monitored, and within spec (pre-condition for every fab operational step or move). In addition, work with university fab team on equipment availability, preventive maintenance, commissioning for use post-maintenance, equipment process quality monitoring and surveillance.

Facility Operations Management Collaboration

Establish relationships with key university fab management staff to assure constant alignment of goals, expectations and actions.

Team Leadership & Decision Discipline

• Lead and mentor a focused team of 5 - 10 process, device, and equipment engineers plus contract and university technicians.

• Institutionalize data-driven decision frameworks, process discipline, high quality team interactions and reporting.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Device Design, Systems, Reliability, Packaging, and Regulatory to lock specs, design rules, and Design History File artifacts.

Strategic & Financial Management

• Own multi-year CAPEX/OPEX plans; present technical and financial dashboards to executives and the Board.

• 15 + years in silicon wafer processing; 5 + years leading SiGe or MEMS integration programs.
• Proven record of first-silicon-to-HVM transfers (150 - 300 mm) with measurable yield ramps.
• Deep expertise in thermoelectric or high-thermal-gradient silicon structures or comparable advanced nodes.
• Mastery of SPC, FMEA/8D, ISO 9001 / ISO 13485 (or IATF 16949) quality systems.
• PhD or MS in EE, Materials Science, Physics, or related.

• Publications or patents in thermoelectrics, SiGe device physics, or MEMS fluidic actuation.
• Experience qualifying semiconductor components for FDA-regulated drug-delivery or life-support devices.
• Knowledge of wafer-level hermetic packaging, TSV integration, and microfluidic channel fabrication.

• First-Mover Advantage - Create the manufacturing blueprint for a breakthrough nanocompressor that will transform drug delivery.
• Green-Field Build - Shape both the technology stack and the team culture from day one.
• Executive Visibility & Equity - Direct line to the Board, competitive compensation, and significant equity participation.

Bay Area, California

Equal Opportunity - We value diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment for all employees.