Principal Engineer, Capacity Planning & Management

Job description

Principal Engineer, Capacity Planning & Management is responsible for end-to-end capacity planning, optimization, and execution across semiconductor assembly and test operations. This role ensures that factory capacity aligns with customer demand, business forecasts, and operational constraints while maximizing asset utilization, minimizing bottlenecks, and supporting on-time delivery performance. What you will do Capacity Planning & Strategy Develop and maintain short-, mid-, and long-term capacity plans across assembly and test processes. Translate demand forecasts into actionable capacity requirements (equipment, tooling, labor, and floor space). Lead scenario planning (upside/downside demand, new product ramps, engineering changes). Align capacity strategies with business objectives, including cost, delivery, and flexibility targets. Factory Load Balancing & Optimization Monitor and manage factory loading to ensure optimal utilization across all work centers. Identify and mitigate bottlenecks in die attach, wire bond, molding, trim & form, and test operations. Drive cycle time reduction and throughput improvements through data-driven analysis. Collaborate with production, engineering, and maintenance teams to resolve constraints. Capital Planning & Investment Define equipment capacity gaps and justify capital expenditures (CapEx). Partner with finance and engineering on ROI analysis, equipment selection, and deployment timing. Oversee capacity readiness for new equipment installation and qualification. Demand & Supply Alignment Work closely with planning, sales, and customer operations teams to align factory output with customer demand. Support S&OP (Sales and Operations Planning) processes with accurate capacity inputs. Provide risk assessments and mitigation plans for demand fluctuations or supply disruptions. New Product Introduction (NPI) Support Ensure capacity readiness for new product ramps, including tooling, process capability, and test capacity. Collaborate with engineering on process flow, cycle time assumptions, and ramp plans. Performance Monitoring & Reporting Establish and track key KPIs such as utilization, OEE, throughput, cycle time, and on-time delivery. Develop dashboards and reporting tools to provide visibility into capacity status and risks. Present regular updates to senior leadership on capacity outlook and constraints. Continuous Improvement Lead initiatives to improve capacity modeling accuracy and planning processes. Drive digitalization and automation in capacity planning tools and data analytics. Implement best practices in lean manufacturing and constraint management. Team Leadership Lead and develop a team of capacity planners and analysts. Foster cross-functional collaboration across production, engineering, maintenance, and supply chain. Mentor team members and build succession planning within the function. What you will need Education & Experience Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management, or related field. 10+ years of experience in semiconductor manufacturing, preferably in assembly and test operations. Minimum 5 years in a leadership or managerial role. Technical Skills Strong understanding of semiconductor assembly processes (die attach, wire bond, molding, singulation, test). Expertise in capacity modeling, line balancing, and bottleneck analysis. Familiarity with MES, ERP, and advanced planning systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Kinaxis). Proficiency in data analysis tools (Excel, SQL, Power BI, or similar). Leadership & Soft Skills Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. Ability to operate in a fast-paced, high-mix, high-volume manufacturing environment. Strategic mindset with strong execution focus. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Factory utilization and OEE On-time delivery (OTD) Cycle time and throughput Capacity forecast accuracy Bottleneck resolution cycle time CapEx efficiency (ROI, payback period) Why Join Us Opportunity to lead capacity strategy in a high-growth semiconductor environment. Exposure to advanced manufacturing technologies and global customers. Collaborative leadership role with strong business impact. Talent acquisition based on Nexperia vacancies is not appreciated. Nexperia job adverts are Nexperia copyright © material and the word Nexperia® is a registered trademark. D&I Statement As an equal-opportunity employer, Nexperia values diversity not just because it is the right thing to do but because diverse teams perform better. We are dedicated to being inclusive, and a proof point of this dedication is that we were the main partner of the very first Dutch Paralympic Team NL House during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all, and we consider all applicants fairly, as well as providing a safe work environment and reasonable adjustments where requested. In addition, we offer our colleagues the possibility to join employee resource groups such as the Pride Network Group or global and local Women's groups. Nexperia is committed to increasing women in management positions to 30% by 2030.