Equipment Engineering Manager (Player-Coach)

• We are seeking an Equipment Engineering Manager (Player-Coach) to lead, build, and work alongside our Equipment Engineering organization
• As we scale volume manufacturing for our Stanford-backed laser slicing technology, this role requires a unique balance of strategic technical leadership and direct, hands-on execution
• You will not just manage from a desk—you will lead from the factory floor, driving equipment reliability, leading complex tool debugs, qualifying new equipment, and setting up preventive/predictive maintenance systems from the ground up
• Hands-On Technical Leadership: Serve as the technical escalation point for complex diagnostic, electro-mechanical, vacuum, precision motion, and laser/optical system troubleshooting on the floor
• Team Building & Coaching: Lead, mentor, and grow a team of Equipment Engineers and Technicians. Lead by example on the floor, fostering a culture of technical rigor, safety, and continuous improvement
• Tool Qualifications & Installs: Directly lead and execute Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), IQ/OQ/PQ, and release of new or upgraded manufacturing tools
• Maintenance & Reliability Infrastructure: Build preventive (PM), predictive (PdM), and spare parts management systems from scratch to optimize OEE, MTBF, and MTTR
• Root Cause Analysis: Drive structured problem solving (8D, 5-Why, FMEA) to solve recurring equipment failures and yield loss
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner directly with Process Engineering, Facilities, Manufacturing, and Executive Leadership to hit aggressive production milestones safely and cost-effectively

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Retirement plans
• Paid time off
• Professional development opportunities- Demonstrated expertise in reading schematics, debugging electro-mechanical systems, vacuum/gas systems, or automated processing tools on the shop floor
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics Engineering, or related discipline
• 7+ years of hands-on semiconductor or advanced capital equipment engineering experience
• 2+ years of technical team leadership, supervisory, or management experience (player-coach mindset essential)
• We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, including those from underrepresented communities in STEM. If you meet most of the qualifications and are excited about this opportunity, we encourage you to apply
• Experience in high-growth startup or pilot-to-volume manufacturing scale-up environments
• Strong background in Lean Manufacturing, 8D/FMEA, and SOP creation
• Hands-on experience with Wafer Grinding, CMP, PVD, Wet Benches, Metrology, or Laser Processing equipment