Cluster Lead Process engineering; Lithography and Epitaxy

SMART Photonics is a rapidly growing pure-play Indium Phosphide (InP) photonic foundry, delivering high-performance integrated photonic circuits from proof-of-concept to full production. As an independent manufacturer, we support customers across data communications, sensing (e.g., LiDAR), telecom, and medical markets with a complete wafer fabrication process that includes epitaxial growth, lithography, processing, and final chip production

As Cluster Lead Epitaxy & Lithography, you will lead and unify the Process Engineering teams responsible for epitaxial growth and lithography process development, scaling, stability, and integration across our wafer fab. You will be a seasoned manager with deep industry experience, able to balance strategic vision with hands-on process oversight. This role is ideal for someone who has worked in high-volume photonics wafer fabs, or in related semiconductor/MEMS environments, and who thrives on driving team performance and process excellence.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and mentor multi-disciplinary process engineering teams in epitaxy and lithography.

• Foster a high-performance culture focused on safety, quality, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Ensure clear communication of priorities, goals, and expectations throughout the cluster.

• Oversee process definition, optimization, monitoring, and scale-up for epitaxial growth (e.g., MOVPE/MOCVD) and high-end lithography on 4” and later 6” InP wafers.

• Drive robust and repeatable manufacturing processes that support yield, throughput, and product quality.

• Champion structured methodologies such as SPC, FMEA, DOE, and root-cause analysis to improve process stability and performance.

• Partner with equipment engineering, device engineering, integration teams, quality, and production to ensure seamless process integration from development to factory floor execution.

• Represent the cluster in decision-making forums and align with business objectives and customer requirements.

• Contribute to roadmap planning for technology, tooling, capacity, and process enhancements.

• Translate customer needs and market trends into actionable process initiatives that strengthen our foundry competitiveness.

• Several years (10+ preferred) of hands-on semiconductor or photonics wafer fab experience, especially in process engineering management.

• Demonstrated leadership of multi-disciplinary engineering teams in an operational setting.

• Strong operational background with real fab exposure in epitaxy and/or lithography, including process control and tool performance.

• Deep understanding of semiconductor manufacturing environments (MES, cleanroom culture, yield drivers).

• Demonstrable success in driving process improvement and execution in a production or pilot production environment.

• Excellent communicator who can influence across functions and levels in a dynamic organization.

• Practical and pragmatic problem-solver with a focus on results and execution.

What We Offer

• A leadership role with real impact in a cutting-edge photonics foundry.

• A collaborative, innovative team environment on the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven.

• Opportunity to grow professionally while shaping the future of integrated photonics.