Equipment Engineering Manager (Player-Coach)

Halo Industries, Inc.•Santa Clara, CA

3d•$160,000 - $185,000

About The Position

Halo Industries has developed breakthrough technology to revolutionize a decades-old semiconductor material slicing process. Our laser-based solution minimizes waste, enhances material cost efficiency, and drives innovations across high-growth markets, including automotive, telecommunications, and power electronics. Founded in 2014 at Stanford University, Halo received significant funding in 2024, paving the way for rapid expansion, strategic customer engagement, and the launch of volume manufacturing. 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.

Requirements

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).
Demonstrated expertise in reading schematics, debugging electro-mechanical systems, vacuum/gas systems, or automated processing tools on the shop floor.

Nice To Haves

Experience in high-growth startup or pilot-to-volume manufacturing scale-up environments.
Hands-on experience with Wafer Grinding, CMP, PVD, Wet Benches, Metrology, or Laser Processing equipment.
Strong background in Lean Manufacturing, 8D/FMEA, and SOP creation.

Responsibilities

Serve as the technical escalation point for complex diagnostic, electro-mechanical, vacuum, precision motion, and laser/optical system troubleshooting on the floor.
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.
Directly lead and execute Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), IQ/OQ/PQ, and release of new or upgraded manufacturing tools.
Build preventive (PM), predictive (PdM), and spare parts management systems from scratch to optimize OEE, MTBF, and MTTR.
Drive structured problem solving (8D, 5-Why, FMEA) to solve recurring equipment failures and yield loss.
Partner directly with Process Engineering, Facilities, Manufacturing, and Executive Leadership to hit aggressive production milestones safely and cost-effectively.