Cluster Lead - Equipment team

About SMART Photonics
SMART Photonics is an independent, pure-play Indium Phosphide (InP) photonic foundry with a clear ambition: to become the world-leading foundry for high-performance Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs).

Reaching this ambition requires more than excellent processes and technology. It demands world-class equipment performance, reliability, and scalability. Equipment Engineering plays a critical role in enabling yield, uptime, and predictable delivery to our customers. Located at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven, SMART Photonics brings together experienced industry professionals who work at the forefront of integrated photonics to build the next generation of manufacturing capability.

Job description

As the Cluster Lead Equipment Engineering, you will be responsible for the overall performance, reliability, and strategic development of the equipment that supports our InP photonic fabrication. This is a senior leadership role, both technically and operationally, requiring a deep understanding of semiconductor-grade equipment, hands-on tool expertise, and the ability to lead a group of experienced engineers and technicians across multiple equipment domains.

You will address the primary challenge of optimizing tool uptime while managing high priority pressure from production, R&D, and maintenance. This requires a highly organized, experienced leader capable of balancing operational execution with strategic equipment improvements and long-term capability expansion.

In this role: You report directly to the VP Engineering and work collaboratively with Colleague cluster leads from Process Engineering, R&D and our Shift Leaders.  

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute the equipment & maintenance roadmap, balancing short-term needs (uptime, troubleshooting, preventive maintenance) with long-term plans (new tool introductions, upgrades, lifecycle planning) aligned to SMART Photonics’ strategic growth.

• Lead and coach a distributed group of (senior) equipment engineers and technicians, fostering ownership, cross-domain collaboration, and technical excellence.

• Ensure high equipment availability and performance, prioritizing work to minimize downtime and maximize fab productivity under pressure.

• Represent the equipment engineering cluster in management teams and our C-level, providing clear technical insights matched with strategic direction.

• Support and enable process development and production ramp-ups, ensuring effective coordination between process engineers and equipment engineers.

• Act as the escalation point for complex equipment issues, including vendor management, tool qualification, and cross-functional resolution.

Technical Scope

You will oversee key fab tool areas supporting our InP PIC manufacturing, including but not limited to:

• Epitaxy (MOCVD) and regrowth systems

• Lithography tools (steppers, tracks, aligners)

• Etch systems (dry and wet)

• Deposition equipment (PVD, PECVD, sputtering, evaporation)

• Metrology and inspection

• Wafer handling, cleaning, and backend support tools

Deep practical experience with several of these domains and the associated hardware and controls is essential.

Who We Are Looking For

• A master’s degree in electrical, Materials Engineering, Physics or related technical discipline.

• 10+ years of industrial experience in semiconductor or photonic manufacturing, with a strong focus on equipment engineering, reliability engineering, or similar roles.

• Hands-on knowledge of fab tools and maintenance practices, especially within a high-mix, production environment.

• Proven leadership experience;  managing senior engineering professionals and cross-functional interfaces.

• Ability to operate under pressure, prioritize effectively, and balance strategic and operational duties.

• Strong experience with equipment improvement frameworks, preventive maintenance planning, and data-driven performance optimization.

• Excellent communication skills able to convey technical issues and strategic direction to both technical and executive stakeholders.

• A proactive, ownership-driven mentality with the ability to influence and inspire teams.

What SMART Photonics Offers

At SMART Photonics, you’ll join a fast-moving, innovative team where personal growth and professional development are actively supported. We offer:

• A dynamic, high-tech environment working with emerging photonics technologies that address real-world challenges.

• A role with strategic impact and visibility to senior leadership.

• Tailored career development, including training, courses, and mentorship.

• A collaborative culture of experienced professionals at the heart of the photonics ecosystem in Eindhoven.

• Welcome environment, relocation support, spouse program, personal development, vitality program and our Next Gen activities.

• For international candidates, support with visa and relocation where applicable.

• Compensation and benefits will be provided and aligned on during the first introduction meeting.