Sr. Manager EPI Equipment Engineering

Job Summary 

Sr. Manager, EPI Equipment Engineering is responsible for leading the equipment engineering function supporting epitaxy operations, with primary focus on equipment reliability, uptime, process tool performance, maintenance strategy, manufacturability, cost, and long-term capacity readiness. This role leads engineers and technical staff supporting EPI production tools and works closely with Process Engineering, Manufacturing, Facilities, Quality, EHS, Supply Chain, and external suppliers to ensure safe, stable, and scalable operation.

In addition to supporting current production, this position plays a key strategic role in aligning equipment capability with technology and manufacturing roadmaps. The manager is expected to partner closely with Process Engineering to support process development, provide timely technical feedback on equipment constraints and manufacturability, and ensure the equipment roadmap supports future process needs, production ramp, and business objectives. This role is also expected to build the systems, team capability, and cross-functional alignment needed to scale the EPI reactor fleet and support long-term factory growth.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the EPI equipment engineering team in support of daily manufacturing operations, equipment uptime, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement.
• Own equipment performance across the EPI area, including uptime, MTBF, MTTR, PM completion, spare parts strategy, cost, and overall tool readiness.
• Drive rapid technical response and structured problem solving for equipment issues affecting safety, quality, delivery, output, and manufacturability.
• Partner closely with Process Engineering to ensure strong alignment between process development objectives and equipment capability, limitations, and readiness.
• Challenge conventional practices and theories during development of new products and technologies. 
• Provide equipment engineering input into process development and technology decisions to ensure manufacturability, scalability, and practical factory execution.
• Ensure timely and candid feedback is provided on equipment-related risks, constraints, and tradeoffs so process and manufacturing decisions can be made with full visibility.
• Lead development of the EPI equipment roadmap to support process evolution, fleet expansion, productivity improvement, obsolescence planning, and long-term factory strategy.
• Translate business and technology roadmaps into equipment plans, including capital strategy, upgrade paths, replacement timing, reuse opportunities, and future capability requirements.
• Support scaling of the EPI reactor fleet through disciplined planning for startup, maintenance capability, spare parts, engineering coverage, and long-term support infrastructure.
• Identify and execute opportunities to reduce operating and capital costs by improving equipment performance, maintenance strategy, spare parts optimization, supplier management, tool reuse, and productivity improvement initiatives.
• Develop and implement preventive and predictive maintenance strategies for EPI tools and associated support systems.
• Support installation, startup, commissioning, qualification, and production handoff of new and relocated equipment.
• Lead equipment-related capital projects, upgrades, refurbishments, and productivity improvements in support of factory objectives.
• Establish and maintain engineering standards for troubleshooting, documentation, change control, training, escalation, and knowledge retention.
• Influence cross-functional stakeholders and partner organizations to ensure alignment on equipment priorities, manufacturability, ramp readiness, and long-term roadmap execution.
• Work across departmental boundaries to remove obstacles, drive decisions, and ensure timely execution of initiatives requiring shared ownership.
• Coordinate with Facilities and EHS to ensure utility readiness, environmental compliance, and safe operation of all EPI equipment and supporting systems.
• Manage supplier and service relationships, including field support, contracts, parts sourcing, technical escalations, and external performance management.
• Build team capability through coaching, mentoring, prioritization, accountability, and development of engineering talent.
• Provide clear communication to site leadership regarding equipment strategy, constraints, performance trends, risks, and mitigation plans.
• Ensure there are no gaps during hand-offs between equipment and process engineering. 

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical field.
• 15+ years of semiconductor manufacturing experience supporting production equipment or process technology.
• 3+ years of leadership experience managing engineers, technicians, or technical teams in a manufacturing environment.
• 10+ Direct experience with epitaxy, MOCVD, or other advanced semiconductor processing equipment.
• Experience in III-V semiconductor manufacturing or compound semiconductor epitaxy.
• Experience with new tool installs, technology transfer, process transfer, or production scale-up.
• Experience with toxic gas environments, abatement systems, and related EHS controls in semiconductor manufacturing.
• Experience leading or supporting multi-site technical collaboration, benchmarking, or technology transfer efforts.

Skills

• Demonstrated ability to influence outcomes across peer organizations and functions, not just within direct reporting relationships.
• Strong troubleshooting capability across electrical, mechanical, vacuum, gas delivery, thermal, and automated equipment systems.
• Experience with equipment reliability, root cause analysis, PM strategy, and structured continuous improvement methods.
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with Process Engineering and Manufacturing to support development, transfer, and ramp of new capability.
• Experience contributing to equipment planning, capital strategy, or technical roadmaps.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Physical & Other Requirements

• Comfortable operating in fast-paced production environments.
• Ability to support a 24/7 manufacturing site as needed
• Ability to stand, sit, bend, and navigate in an around production equipment. 
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.
• Must be able to:
  • Work inside Class 10/100/1000 cleanroom environments
  • Ability to stand, sit, bend, and navigate in an around production equipment. 
  • Wear required PPE (hard hats, safety glasses, cleanroom garments, etc.) and adhere to site safety protocols
  • Work around chemicals, including acids and solids
  • Work around hazardous and non-hazardous gases
  • Lift 50 lbs. 

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome

Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at talentacquisition@coherent.com.