Director - Lab Operations

Job Summary:

The Applied Materials India process lab is a class 10K-class 100 clean room lab with300mmprocess capability, metrology and characterization focused on semiconductor equipment process technology, materialstechnologyand new product development. Applied Materials is looking for a Lab Director with prior experience as a cleanroomfabmanager and semiconductor processexpertise(PVD, CVD, ALD thin filmsa plus).

The lab director will haveasingle point of accountability for the lab andis responsibleformaintainingsafety, security and productivity standards for the labincludingensuringend-endsupport for BU product development and critical milestonestracking.This includes partnering withcross-functionalteamstomaintainequipment uptime, procurement & supply chain,controlling budget and investmentplansandexecutinglab strategy. 

This role involves managing a team oflab operationscomprisingoftechnicians, engineers,supportfunctionsand 3rdparty operatorsandlab userscomprisingofengineers, technicians,scientistsand vendorpartners,ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations. 

Key Responsibilities:

Team Management:

• Overseegroup of integration engineers, process engineers,operatingtechnicians, equipment engineers, andlaboperation teams.

• Lead, hire, motivate, andretaina global team of highly skilled engineers and technicians.

• Oversee personnel functions such as interviewing, selecting, training, supervising, evaluating performance, and developing staff.

LabOperationsand Management:

• Maintain operations, including safety standards,productivityand lab accessmanagementincludingcertification programs.

• Manage the daily operations of the lab, ensuring efficientutilizationof all equipment.

• Keyfocuseson equipment up time,corrective and preventive maintenance and running the business, includingmanaging operating budgets, lab procurement,inventoryand spares management. 

• Vendor management for all critical suppliers and equipment vendors for the labin partnership with Facilities and Procurement teams

• Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the use and maintenance ofhardware equipment,metrologyand characterization tools

• Digitizationand E2E process managementof lab operations and inventory management

• Drive innovations on cost saving, space, and equipment automation.

• Monitor and distribute informationregardingchanges in regulatory guidelines and trends in techniques and technology.

• Ensureclean, safe, and accident-free work environment.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Safety and accountabilityfor the labare key priorities in this role

• Exec presenceand ability to communicate and report to key business stakeholders toalign onlab strategy, criticaldeliverablesandprogrammilestones. 

• Maintain effective collaborationwith cross-functional teams to design and execute experiments that support product development and quality control.

• Maintain open communication with stakeholders and act as a liaison between the laboratory and other departments.

Financial Management:

• Manage financial activities and reportspertaining tothe laboratory.

• Assistin the preparation of budget estimates.

• Drive cost savings and lab efficiencies via site lab consolidation initiatives.

Compliance and Safety:

• Ensure laboratory compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations.

• Secure intellectual property, material inventory, and lab assets with outstanding procedures and processes co-designed with the Corporate Security Team.

• Maintain area procedures and trainingrequiredto ensure legal compliance and conformance to managementsystem.

Technical Guidance:

• Provide scientific and technical leadership to laboratory staff and support their professional growth and development.

• Providetechnical guidance, consultation, and support to researchers, technicians, and other stakeholders.

Crisis Management:

• Assemble and manage task forces to tackle critical issues.

Qualifications:

Technical Expertise:

• Experience working in front-endmodern high-volume semiconductor fabrication processfacility isa must

• Experienceoperatingand managingsemiconductor metrology and characterization tools (including TEM, FIB, SEM, EELS, EDS, PED, 4D-STEM, andi-DPC)

• Semiconductorprocess and equipment knowledge with a focus on thin films is a plus

Problem-Solving Skills:

• Expertise inproblem-solving methods.

• Ability to moderate root cause analysis to enable teams to solve complex problems.

Industry Knowledge:

• Familiarity with ISO standards and systems, FMEA, Phase Gate approach.

• Knowledge of business and management principles,strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership techniques, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

• Knowledge of applicable safety requirements.

Leadership Experience:

• Proven leadership abilities and experience managing a team of scientists and technicians.

• Ability to analyze and develop guidelines, procedures, and systems to outline specific goals and implement plans to prioritize, organize, andaccomplishtasks.

Educational Background:

• Masters/PhD in Engineering Sciences