Job Descriptions:Essential FunctionThe Director of Research Sciences is a key member of the Silfex leadership team. This position will oversee setting the technical vision and delivering differentiated, production-ready innovations that improve yield, cost, capability, and customer outcomes. This role builds and guides a high-performing team of scientists and engineers, partners closely with Operations, Quality, and Product Management, and drives a portfolio of current and long-term R&D initiatives aligned to business strategy. We expect this person to be an experienced and efficient leader, have excellent people skills, business acumen and exemplary work ethic.
Key Responsibilities- Design and implement the overall research strategy for Silfex success
- Define and execute multi-horizon research and technology roadmaps that enable new products, process enhancements, and manufacturability improvements in silicon components
- Translate research into scalable manufacturing solutions; ensure timely transfer to Ops with robust validation, documentation, and training.
- Lead partnerships with key customers, suppliers, and universities to co-develop disruptive technologies and foundational research relevant to silicon manufacturing
- Provide senior-level technical support for escalations, customer requests, and complex problem solving to improve productivity, capacity, and cost.
- Provide day-to-day leadership and management to Silfex that mirrors the adopted mission and core values of the company
- Recruit, mentor, and performance-manage a diverse team of scientists, engineers, and managers; foster a culture of safety, quality, and innovation.
- Own the MFG R&D annual plans, and budgets; align priorities with business goals and customer needs across current and long-term horizons.
- Build replicable and scalable systems and processes to support production and business growth
- Guide experimental design, statistical methods, and technology selection for materials, surface engineering, precision machining, and contamination control relevant to semiconductor parts.
- Establish technical standards, IP strategy, and knowledge-management practices.
- Lead discovery, feasibility, and scale-up of new processes (e.g., crystal growth/selection interfaces, etch/polish chemistries, thin-film/coat processes, thermal treatments) and product architectures.
- Build gated development processes and pilot lines; reduce tech-transfer cycle times
- Maintain a balanced portfolio (incremental to disruptive) with clear ROI and risk posture.
- Structure and govern joint development agreements (JDAs), supplier co-innovation, and university research programs; ensure IP protection and milestone outcomes.
- Represent the company at technical forums; translate market and customer trends into actionable R&D themes.
- Serve as the senior escalation point for factory and field issues; deploy advanced root-cause, DOE, and Six Sigma tools to stabilize processes and improve yields.
- Lead rapid response teams for customer requests and qualifications; ensure data-driven decisions and clear communication.
- Define, prioritize, and manage R&D programs with scope, schedule, resources, and success criteria; institute stage-gate governance and risk mitigation plans.
- Track KPIs (TRL/MRL progression, first-pass yield, Cpk, cost/throughput impact, time-to-transfer) and report to leadership.
- Uphold EHS standards; ensure compliance with quality systems (e.g., ISO 9001) and customer specifications.
- Ensure data integrity, documentation rigor, and audit readiness.
- Execute growth plans and critical projects as the business expands
- Design and build organizational structures which provide growth opportunities, cross-training, and avenues of succession at all levels of the team
- Anticipating risks and putting risk mitigation plans in place to avoid surprises
- Monitoring department performance against performance goals to ensure that progress is being made and collective action, if necessary, is taken
- Understanding best-in-industry requirements and driving results to best in class performance
- Validating existing business processes and accountability systems
- Developing new business processes and supporting systems to support Silfex/Lam's ability to quickly deliver world class solutions to our customers, and drive to predictable results
- Ensure processes are documented, followed and archived
- Establishing and ensuring adherence to budgets, schedules, work plans and performance requirements
- Direct and coordinate various programs essential to manufacturing procedures (e.g., training, safety, housekeeping, cost reduction, worker involvement, etc.).
- Initiates and coordinates major projects
Culture- Display a positive attitude and strong work ethic that reflects the Mission and Core Values of Silfex.
- Create and maintain a culture where workplace safety is part of everything we do. Provide the safest possible workplace to our employees by modeling and following all company safety policies, reporting any incidents or unsafe conditions immediately to Silfex management. Wear all PPE as required by work area or job function.
- Communication - Begin with the end in mind - Communicate boldly as well as effectively with empathy and respect to inspire teamwork and collaboration vertically and horizontally within Silfex.
- Assist in applying lean manufacturing concepts and 5S. Demonstrate ownership of continuous improvement ideas and activities. Maintain organization and cleanliness, housekeeping and 5S within work area. Maintain these areas at the highest degree possible while responsibly escalating any maintenance issues.
Essential Requirements- PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field preferred; MS with significant relevant experience considered.
- 10+ years in R&D for advanced materials or precision manufacturing; silicon or semiconductor-adjacent experience strongly preferred.
- 5+ years leading technical teams and multi-project portfolios with demonstrated transfer of innovations to high-volume manufacturing.
- Proven success collaborating with customers, suppliers, and academic partners on applied research.
- Deep knowledge of materials & surface science, chemical processes (etch/polish/clean), metrology, and contamination control in silicon manufacturing.
- Strong statistical analysis/DOE expertise; familiarity with SPC, Six Sigma, and reliability methods.
- Demonstrated ability to architect experiments, interpret complex datasets, and make high-impact decisions under ambiguity.
- Strategic planning, budget ownership, and portfolio management.
- Excellent communication-able to simplify complex science for executives and customers.
- Talent builder with a track record of mentoring and developing managers and senior ICs.
- Strong business acumen, consulting, analysis, communication, presentation, negotiation, influencing, conflict management and problem-solving skills
- Technical proficiency in Word, Excel and PowerPoint to support and deliver comprehensive analysis and concise communications
- The ability to operate in ambiguous situations and be flexible as the organization changes and grows
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
Physical DemandsReasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to stand and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and; talk or hear.
The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 30 pounds. The employee regularly is required to lift up to 10 pounds. The vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently exposed to work near moving mechanical parts and fumes or airborne particles. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The noise level in the environment is moderate.
