Director of Foundry Engineering

Altera Corporation

$209K — $303K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a related field
  • 15+ years of experience in semiconductor manufacturing or foundry engineering
  • Direct experience with major semiconductor foundries
  • Proficiency in advanced CMOS process nodes and yield engineering
  • Leadership in complex, cross-functional technical programs

Responsibilities

  • Oversee silicon manufacturing operations from first silicon through high-volume production
  • Lead yield improvement and reliability validation efforts
  • Partner with Product Engineering and Quality teams to resolve issues
  • Ensure robust manufacturing flows and continuous improvement
  • Manage technical relationships with external foundries
  • Drive process technology selection and risk assessment
  • Support design decisions for manufacturability and performance

Benefits

  • Incentive opportunities based on performance
  • Career development with clear goals and mentoring
  • Opportunity to work with advanced technologies and processes
  • Engagement with executive-level technology discussions
  • Potential for cross-functional collaboration across various teams
Full Job Description
Job Details:

Job Description:

About the Role

Altera is seeking a Director of Foundry Engineering to lead foundry engagement, advanced process technology enablement, and manufacturing execution for Altera's FPGA and programmable device portfolio. This leader will serve as the primary technical interface between Altera and its external foundry partners, ensuring robust silicon readiness, manufacturability, yield, reliability, and cost optimization across multiple technology nodes.

This role is critical to Altera's silicon strategy, driving execution from early process definition through high-volume manufacturing while collaborating closely with design, product engineering, quality, supply chain, and executive leadership.

Key Responsibilities:

Manufacturing Operations & Engineering

  • Oversee silicon manufacturing operations & engineering from first silicon through high-volume production


  • Lead yield improvement, defect reduction, parametric optimization, and reliability validation efforts


  • Partner with Product Engineering and Quality teams to resolve yield, reliability, and excursion issues


  • Ensure robust manufacturing flows, change control, and continuous improvement


Foundry & Process Technology Leadership

  • Own and manage Altera's technical relationships with external foundry partners across advanced and mature process nodes


  • Lead process technology selection, qualification, and risk assessment aligned to product roadmaps


  • Drive foundry process enablement, PDK readiness, and design-to-manufacturing alignment


  • Represent Altera in joint technology reviews, process roadmap discussions, and executive-level engagements


Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Work closely with Design Engineering, DTCO teams, Product Line Management, Supply Chain, and Operations


  • Support early design decisions to optimize manufacturability, cost, performance, and schedule


  • Provide foundry and process insights to influence architecture, IP strategy, and product planning


Team Leadership & Development

  • Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing foundry engineering organization


  • Set clear goals, accountability, and development plans for senior technical staff


  • Promote a culture of technical excellence, ownership, and collaboration


Business & Risk Management

  • Manage foundry-related risks, capacity planning, and long-term supply assurance


  • Support cost modeling, node transition strategies, and sourcing decisions


  • Contribute to executive strategy reviews, program updates, and milestone reporting


Salary Range

The pay range below is for Bay Area California only. Actual salary may vary based on a number of factors including job location, job-related knowledge, skills, experiences, trainings, etc. We also offer incentive opportunities that reward employees based on individual and company performance.

$209,500 - $303,250 USD

We use artificial intelligence to screen, assess, or select applicants for the position. Applicants must be eligible for any required U.S. export authorizations.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or related technical field


  • 15+ years of experience in semiconductor manufacturing, foundry engineering, or process technology


  • Demonstrated experience working directly with major semiconductor foundries


  • Experience in advanced CMOS process nodes, yield engineering, and reliability


  • Experience leading complex, cross-functional technical programs


Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience supporting logic, SoC, or FPGA products


  • Prior people management experience at the senior manager or director level
  • Familiarity with multi-foundry or foundry-agnostic manufacturing strategies


Job Type:
Regular

Shift:
Shift 1 (United States of America)

Primary Location:
San Jose, California, United States

Additional Locations:

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