About the position
We are seeking a highly motivated director of operations for QCi’s Fab-1 located in Tempe AZ. Fab-1 is a purpose built TFLN foundry focused on manufacturing integrated photonic devices from thin film lithium niobate for QCi’s internal product line and external foundry services offerings. In this role, you’ll be at the center of our operations coordinating production schedules, managing inventory, and supporting quality and documentation systems. This is a hands-on position ideal for someone who thrives in fast-paced environments and enjoys bringing structure, visibility, and efficiency to complex technical workflows.
Responsibilities
- Build and manage short- and medium-term production plans in coordination with fab, assembly, and engineering.
- Ensure work travelers, documentation, and materials are aligned with production flow.
- Monitor job progress, identify scheduling issues, and support cross-functional resolution.
- Maintain visibility on raw material, consumable, and WIP inventory.
- Manage materials supply chain.
- Oversee the implementation of systems for inventory tracking and control.
- Drive the daily prioritization meetings and track progress against goals.
- Monitor throughput, downtime, and resource utilization to drive process improvement.
- Support leadership in identifying operational constraints and planning scalable solutions.
- Own the development and upkeep of SOPs and internal work instructions.
- Supervise in building systems for data collection, quality assurance, and process audits.
- Help prepare the organization for future compliance initiatives (e.g., ISO 9001, six sigma standards).
- Define and implement safety protocols and Standard Operating Procedures.
- Oversee safety in the manufacturing environment and enforce adherence to safety protocols.
- Implement a training program and maintain records of all trainings.
Requirements
- A BS degree in Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Physics or related field.
- 8+ years of experience overseeing operations of semiconductor foundries.
- Strong organizational and communication skills across technical and non-technical teams.
- Proficiency with spreadsheets and planning tools; experience with ERP/MRP systems is a plus.
- Ability to work effectively in a high-paced environment.
- Familiarity with lean manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies.
Nice-to-haves
- 15+ years of experience overseeing operations of semiconductor foundries.
- Experience bridging cross-functional roles (engineering, fab, assembly, shipping).
- Exposure to quality control systems, document control, or compliance standards.
- Experience specifying and qualifying semiconductor tools.
- Experience designing and operating a 200mm semiconductor foundry.
