Director, Fabrication and Facility Operations, Texas A&M Semiconductor Institute

Job description

Job Title Director, Fabrication and Facility Operations, Texas Semiconductor Institute Agency Texas A&M University System Offices Department Texas A&M Semiconductor Institute Proposed Minimum Salary Commensurate Job Location Bryan, Texas Job Type Staff Job Description The System Offices is one of several system members within the Texas A&M University System representing one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a network of 12 universities, a comprehensive health science center, eight state agencies, Texas A&M – Fort Worth and the Texas A&M - RELLIS Campus. The Texas A&M University System mission is to provide education, conduct research, commercialize technology, offer training, and deliver services for the people of Texas and beyond. The System Offices, within the Texas A&M University System, provides an outstanding benefits package including, but not limited to: competitive health benefits; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; a defined benefit retirement plan to include an employer contribution through Teachers Retirement System of Texas (TRS); if applicable, a defined contribution retirement plan to include an employer contribution through an approved ORP vendor: additional voluntary tax deferred annuity (TDA) options; tuition assistance; and wellness programs to promote work/life balance. Salary: Commensurate with experience. Job Description Summary: The Director, Fabrication and Facility Operations, Texas A&M Semiconductor Institute is responsible for leading the facility operations for a comprehensive suite of process tools in a newly constructed semiconductor coupon and wafer research facility. Operating at the level expected of a semiconductor fab manager, this position will ensure the rigorous implementation of safety protocols and compliance with regulatory requirements, maintain the highest standards of output and product quality, and consistently optimize facility operations for maximum efficiency and throughput. The successful candidate must possess extensive knowledge of and hands-on experience with semiconductor process tools, including photolithography, thin film deposition, plasma and wet etch, diffusion/thermal processing, and post-wafer processing. Expertise with general wafer fab support equipment, cleanroom mechanical systems, vacuum pumps, deionized water systems, and both software and hardware control systems is required. The Director is responsible for the systematic training of staff and research users, overseeing equipment maintenance and repairs, and developing robust operational strategies that prioritize safety, quality, and output. The Director serves as a technical resource to guide staff and users to select and utilize process tools in ways that maximize research and production success, minimize downtime and defects, and sustain safe working conditions. Responsibilities: - Provide overall strategic direction and vision for fabrication facility operations, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and fostering innovation, growth, and excellence in research and service. - Implement facility strategy to ensure user safety and optimal use of equipment and staff. - Lead planning, commissioning, and implementation of new equipment installations, facility upgrades, and major projects, ensuring timelines, budgets, and technical requirements are met. - Continuously assess facility capabilities and future needs; drive initiatives for expansion, modernization, and adoption of emerging technologies. - Maintain overall function and operation of equipment and oversee daily facility operations, including user access, equipment scheduling, supply ordering, training workflows, service coordination, and technical support. - Oversee allocation of physical, financial, and human resources; develop and manage facility budgets; ensure optimal use of resources to maximize efficiency and support key research initiatives. - Work with operations coordinators and business staff on procurement, consumables tracking, equipment service requests, purchase documentation, vendor coordination, and administrative processes. - Maintain a network of suppliers and collaborations with external vendors, peer facilities, and institutional partners to keep the facility operating efficiently, reliably, and within budget. - Establish and uphold rigorous facility standards for safety, chemical and equipment management, waste handling, labeling, storage, inspection readiness, and environmental compliance in coordination with institutional safety offices. - Lead development, review, and enforcement of facility-wide policies, procedures, and protocols for safety, operational quality, and compliance; oversee SOP development, periodic updates, and compliance documentation. - Support and enforce industry best practices for user safety and proper operation of process tools and equipment. - Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate risks to facility operations, user safety, asset integrity, and research quality; establish escalation and contingency plans. - Oversee facility compliance with all applicable federal, state, institutional, and local regulations; oversee audits, inspections, and reporting as required. - Supervise, mentor, train, schedule, and evaluate facility personnel-including Assistant Directors, coordinators, technical staff, administrative support, student workers, and temporary staff-to sustain a high-performance team culture and continuous professional development. - Guide and assist new users, researchers, staff, students, vendors, and visitors to achieve successful research results, ensure onboarding into facility operating protocols, safety expectations, access requirements, equipment-use processes, escalation pathways, and proper documentation. - Oversee training procedures and documentation for equipment use, including SOPs, user guides, training materials, safety checklists, and equipment-use records; recommend and facilitate improvements for workflows, user-support systems, and documentation quality. - Shape user engagement strategies, including on boarding, training programs, and feedback initiatives to promote a supportive and productive research environment. - Maintain overall equipment function and readiness; monitor equipment status, identify recurring operational issues, and recommend improvements to workflows and user-support systems. - Coordinate preventive maintenance schedules, vendor service visits, repair requests, calibration needs, equipment downtime tracking, and documentation to ensure high reliability, performance, and facility readiness. - Work closely with operations business coordinators to order supplies and arrange for equipment repairs and maintenance. - Foster a culture of process improvement, leveraging data-driven decision-making to optimize equipment utilization, workflow efficiency, safety practices, user experience, and documentation quality. - Monitor daily operational priorities to identify recurring issues and process improvement opportunities. - Provide regular communication and reporting to senior institutional leadership, faculty, and stakeholders regarding facility performance, strategic initiatives, and resource needs. - Support development and implementation of robust standard operating procedures, user guides, safety checklists, facility records, and operational dashboards. - Maintain facility records related to equipment status, user training, maintenance history, consumables, access, vendors, and operational metrics. - Address and resolve complex operational, technical, and staffing issues escalated by support staff; serve as primary point of accountability for critical incidents. - Perform other duties or projects as assigned by the Institute Director or senior institutional leadership as required for facility operations. Education and Experience: - Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physical sciences, industrial technology, facilities management, laboratory management, or related field. - At least ten years of commercial semiconductor fabrication facility experience, including advanced management in a semiconductor facility, in addition to five or more years of related experience in laboratory operations, research facility operations, technical facility support, semiconductor, microelectronics, cleanroom, manufacturing, engineering laboratory, or comparable technical environments. Master's/Doctoral degrees may substitute for years of experience. - Experience supporting operational priorities for throughput, assisting in tracking and resolving bottlenecks, maintaining compliance, and contributing to a culture of safety and quality. Knowledge , Skills and Abilities: - Demonstrated familiarity with semiconductor facilities design, construction, trades coordination, operations budgeting, and wafer/coupon flow tracking. - Knowledge of laboratory or technical facility operations, equipment coordination, safety procedures, training documentation, inventory management, and vendor/service coordination. - Ability to coordinate multiple operational workflows, communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders, maintain accurate records, and work cooperatively with researchers, staff, vendors, and administrative partners. - Ability to support mechanical, electrical, electro­mechanical, or process-related equipment workflows. - May require work outside normal business hours to support facility operations, equipment maintenance, vendor service visits, emergency response, user support, or special projects. - May require occasional travel to partner facilities, vendor sites, or member locations of The Texas A&M University System. - Ability to multi-task and cooperatively work with others. Preferred Qualifications: - At least 5 years of advanced or executive management experience in the semiconductor industry or laboratory environment. - Experience in semiconductor facilities design, construction, trades management, operations budgeting, equipment installation, qualification, and facilities management. - Experience in semiconductor, microelectronics, MEMS, cleanroom, advanced manufacturing, engineering research, or university complex technical facility environments. - Experience with coupon and wafer flow-based tracking, priority goal-setting, and overcoming operational constraints. - Experience supporting incident notifications, safety documentation, preventive maintenance service contracts, user training, chemical or gas inventory coordination, hazardous waste coordination, equipment operations for laboratory and research facilities, equipment-issue documentation, user onboarding materials, and facility operations dashboards. - Experience coordinating with vendors, facilities teams, procurement, safety office resources, and end-user operations staff. - Relevant safety, facilities, cleanroom, hazardous materials, or equipment-related certifications preferred. Other Requirements: This is a security-sensitive position and is restricted to U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents only. Only complete applications will be considered for employment at The Texas A&M System Offices. Incomplete job application data could result in your application being rejected without an option to reapply. A cover letter and resume may be required in addition to a completed employment application. All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check. Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.