Director, EPIC Lab Operations

Applied Materials•Santa Clara, CA

2d•$164,000 - $225,500•Onsite

About The Position

The Director, Lab Operations is responsible for leading end-to-end lab operations to ensure safe, high-quality, and efficient production execution. This role drives daily performance across Safety, Quality, and Output (SQO), oversees cleanroom and production control activities, and partners with engineering and customers to meet operational objectives. The Operations Manager plays a critical role in fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field (or equivalent experience)
8+ years of experience in semiconductor manufacturing, cleanroom operations, or similar environments
Proven leadership experience managing operations teams in a high-volume or R&D fab setting
Experience with process improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent)
Strong leadership and team management skills in a 24/7 operational environment
Deep understanding of lab operations, equipment utilization, and production control
Expertise in problem-solving methodologies (5 Whys, 8D, RCA)
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
Data-driven decision-making and performance management
Strong customer focus and ability to manage escalations effectively

Responsibilities

Drive achievement of daily, weekly, and quarterly production targets.
Maximize equipment utilization by ensuring tools are effectively run when available (UTP).
Identify bottlenecks and implement corrective actions to maintain throughput.
Ensure adherence to strict quality standards to protect wafer integrity throughout all processes.
Promote a "product-as-customer" mindset, reinforcing ownership of quality at every operational step.
Prevent contamination, defects, and handling-related damage through disciplined execution.
Lead and oversee 24/7 lab operations, including: Production Control Center (PCC) activities (staffed per shift) and Cleanroom floor operations through Team Leaders and Clean Room Operators (CROs).
Ensure alignment and seamless coordination between operations, engineering, and support teams.
Serve as the primary point of contact for customer and tenant concerns related to lab operations.
Ensure timely issue resolution, transparent communication, and follow-through on corrective actions.
Lead root cause analysis using structured methodologies such as 5 Whys and 8D.
Drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to eliminate recurrence of issues.
Monitor and ensure achievement of daily Safety, Quality, and Output (SQO) targets.
Provide clear, data-driven explanations for deviations, including root cause and recovery plans.
Report operational performance, risks, and improvements to the Fab Manager.
Participate in Change Review Boards (CRBs) as required.
Lead weekly production meetings with Engineering to review tool status, performance, and priorities.
Collaborate with business units and stakeholders to support operational goals.
Apply Lean principles through Gemba (go-and-see) practices to observe operations firsthand.
Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and reduce waste.
Foster a culture of continuous improvement across teams.