Senior Epitaxy Hardware Manager

KYOCERA SLD Laser, Inc. (KSLD) is a global leader in the commercialization of gallium nitride (GaN) based laser light sources. As a wholly owned subsidiary of KYOCERA Corporation, KSLD combines advanced laser innovation with the strength, scale, and manufacturing excellence of a global technology leader.

KSLD develops and manufactures high performance LaserLight™ solutions engineered to deliver exceptional brightness, efficiency, and reliability. Our GaN laser technologies enable a wide range of applications, including automotive and mobility, specialty and portable lighting, projection and AR/VR displays, biomedical instrumentation, industrial imaging, and emerging communication technologies such as LiFi. With vertically integrated capabilities and deep technical expertise, KSLD collaborates closely with customers to deliver application specific laser solutions, accelerating development timelines from concept through production. The company operates advanced R&D and manufacturing facilities in Santa Barbara, CA and Fremont, CA, supporting both innovation and high volume manufacturing needs.

KSLD is ISO 9001 certified and IATF 16949 compliant for automotive applications, and its products meet rigorous UL and IEC safety standards, reflecting a strong commitment to quality, safety, and reliability.

Recognized by Fortune magazine’s Best Workplaces in Manufacturing & Production™, KSLD fosters an employee centric culture built on collaboration, technical excellence, and continuous innovation. Guided by a mission to engineer the future of light, KSLD develops laser based solutions that power next generation mobility, consumer, specialty lighting, and industrial technologies.

KSLD will continue to pioneer the future of light by developing, manufacturing and marketing innovative laser based products with high efficiency and luminance for mobility, specialty lighting, consumer, and industrial applications.

To learn more about KSLD, visit www.kyocerasldlaser.com or contact the company at [email protected] or 18667535273

Job Description

KYOCERA SLD Laser is seeking a Senior Epitaxy Hardware Manager to lead MOCVD reactor hardware and all supporting epitaxy equipment at our Fremont, CA site. This role owns equipment uptime, preventive maintenance strategy, consumables and critical spares management, and the technical development of the equipment engineering and technician team supporting GaN-based laser diode production and development.

Job Responsibilities

• Own MOCVD reactor hardware performance across all Fremont reactors: uptime, PM cadence, post-PM qualification, and excursion recovery.
• Own supporting epitaxy hardware including abatement systems, bake/oven equipment, gas delivery systems (VMB, gas cabinets, MFCs, purifiers), vacuum and exhaust systems, and chillers.
• Own epitaxy metrology hardware (XRD, AFM, PL, reflectance/in-situ optics, microscopy) — tool availability, calibration, and preventive maintenance.
• Maintain hardware consumable and critical parts management for reactors and other key epitaxy equipment: min/max spares levels, lead-time tracking, refurbishment cycles, and obsolescence planning.
• Build and strengthen PM SOPs and maintenance schedules; standardize documentation, qualification criteria, and PM execution records.
• Manage equipment engineers and technicians — hiring, training, shift coverage, performance development, and succession depth.
• Provide hands-on troubleshooting leadership; diagnose electrical and mechanical faults on reactors and support equipment down to the component level.
• Partner with process development and process engineering to root-cause hardware-driven excursions (MO run/vent, heater, flow, leak, contamination) and drive corrective actions.
• Define reactor area ownership and drive hardware SPC on machine parameters with joint process/hardware data reviews.
• Cross-train hardware technicians to extend coverage and operating hours.
• Manage capital projects, tool installs, vendor and service contracts; own hardware capex, spares, and consumables budget.
• Support quality systems (ISO 9001 / IATF 16949) through documented procedures, PM records, and deviation escalation; partner with Facilities on utilities, gas systems, and abatement compliance.
• Manage and participate in on-call, off-hour coverage, and shut-down activities during the site maintenance periods.
• Additional duties as assigned. 

Required Qualifications

• BS in engineering (mechanical, electrical, materials, or related discipline) with 10+ years in semiconductor equipment/hardware, including 3+ years managing technical teams.
• Hands-on deposition reactor hardware experience (Aixtron, Veeco, or TNSC platforms) with demonstrated electrical and mechanical troubleshooting capability.
• Demonstrated ownership of PM programs, SOP development, uptime metrics, and spare parts/consumables management in a cleanroom production environment.
• Working knowledge of specialty gas delivery, abatement, and thermal processing equipment, including associated safety requirements.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration with process, operations, facilities, and quality.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; flexible, collaborative, and team-oriented.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 10+ years of MOCVD equipment experience, preferably supporting GaN laser diode or LED production.
• 5+ years managing equipment technician teams.
• Experience building an equipment engineering team and formal training programs from the ground up.
• Data-driven approach to equipment SPC and reliability (JMP, Python, MES).
• Flexible, collaborative, and team-oriented.

The full time base salary range for the position of Senior Epitaxy Hardware Manager is $170,000 to $247,000 per annum. The range reflects the minimum and maximum possible base salary for new hires for the role, based on the advertised location. Individual pay is determined by several factors including work location, job related skills, experience, and relevant education and training. For more information about the base salary range applicable to the work location, talk to the recruiter.

Kyocera SLD Laser, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, legally protected medical condition, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws. Because of export-control requirements, applicants must qualify as a “U.S. Person” as defined by the United States Export Control Regulations.  Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

 The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and requirements of personnel as classified.