Director Process Development - Plasma Enhanced ALD

We’re not like most. We don’t just overcome obstacles – we don’t see them. Instead, we see the potential in every person, and every situation. We don’t wait for opportunity to appear – we create it. Meet ASM. A company that has been searching for people just like you.

Who is ASM?

ASM is a leading global supplier of semiconductor process equipment for wafer processing. ASM provides equipment to all the top semiconductor device manufacturers in the world, primarily for the deposition of thin films. ASM pioneered important aspects of many established wafer-processing technologies used in industry, including lithography, deposition, ion implant and single-wafer ALD. In recent years, ASM brought Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) and Plasma Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition (PEALD) from R&D to mainstream production at advanced manufacturers’ sites. ASM’s broad portfolio of innovative technologies and products are being used by the most advanced semiconductor fabrication plants around the world, helping customers’ progress along their technology roadmap and make integrated circuits or chips smaller, faster, and more powerful. ASM is headquartered in Almere, the Netherlands with manufacturing in Singapore and South Korea, and R&D in Europe, North America and Asia.

Structure: This position location is in either Tokyo, Japan which is the development centers for PEALD products and reports to the PEALD Key Product Unit (KPU) Head.

KPU Outlook: ASM Is the market leader in Plasma ALD products and is well positioned to grow in the coming years. ASM is focused on developing new products with innovative technologies that are needed to address the key technical challenges in next generation Logic / Foundry and Memory devices. Innovation in process technology, materials engineering along with cutting edge plasma physics and hardware design are needed to continue to drive the new product development engine.

Mission: The PEALD Business Unit is looking for an experienced leader in Process Development, someone who can lead a team of 20 to 25 PhD level engineers to address key technical challenges for new application development programs. Work closely with customers, account technology directors, GPM and Business Development teams to align on the technical roadmap then drive their team to execute and develop solutions for our customers most advanced applications.

Responsibility includes:

• Lead a team of process development engineers, foster innovation, drive to meet or exceed program objectives on or ahead of schedule.
• Create world-class products and technology for PEALD applications according to customer requirements.
• Define new hardware requirements to support next generation PEALD process specification requirements.
• Define new chemistries or materials to support next generation application requirements.
• Technical papers will be a result of work done on advanced process development.
• Develop new applications and materials for the products in close cooperation with the corporate R&D organization to meet customer technology roadmaps.
• Intellectual property creation is required.
• Sharing of relevant knowledge and contributing creative and imaginative inputs to process development, including equipment design and improvement, are key tasks in this position.
• Innovative ideas are requisite. Must remain abreast of state-of-the-art processing applications in the semiconductor industry to be effective. Maintaining good technical communication with industry peers is desirable.
• Determine the critical skills required and the staffing levels necessary to meet business objectives.
• Maintain a highly motivated and competent team capable of leading ASM PEALD business to sustained and profitable growth. Identify, attract, evaluate and hire top talent. Develop, grow, reward, recognize your team to enable ASM’s continued and future growth.
• Develop clear priorities that achieve the highest return on the organization’s resource utilization.
• Leverage and maintain strong industry relationships with the top customers to ensure product differentiation for existing and new applications, account penetration and substantial market share gains.
• Ability to communicate at a highly technical level with our end customers to build their trust that ASM has the ability solve their key technical challenges for next generation device requirements.

Ideal candidate: Recognized as an accomplished leader with a solid track record of accomplishments in delivering new process technology solutions to customers in the semiconductor industry. The candidate must have a strong team orientation, and exude creativity, entrepreneurialism, and drive for results.

Skills: Requires Ph.D. in Physics, Physical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Semiconductor Device Physics or Materials Science. A working knowledge of semiconductor device physics is strongly preferred. Will have 10-15 years of extensive experience in semiconductor and/or semiconductor capital equipment industry in a senior management role. Documented knowledge and experience in semiconductor device design and manufacturing.

Specifically, he/she will have:

• A proven track record in developing new process technologies.
• Experience leading and motivating an organization of 10 or more engineers.
• Reputation for building highly energized team cultures based on performance, integrity, accountability, collaboration, empowerment, customer service, teamwork and respect for others.
• Demonstrated credibility and experience dealing with semiconductor fab managers and senior executives.
• Ability to thrive and generate high quality deliverables in a challenging, results-oriented, fast-paced environment.
• A strong overall executive presence and exceptionally capable of communicating, presenting, influencing and negotiating effectively at all levels within the organization (internally and externally)
• Travel between 10-20%.

Personal Characteristics:

• High level of intellectual and personal integrity, with a strong sense of urgency and accountability.
• Dynamic leadership characteristics capable of creating, articulating, and implementing a vision for the future.
• Independent thinker with courage of convictions and driven to refine a vision and achieve the goals and objectives of the business.
• Able to quickly command respect and credibility through presence, intellectual acumen, business knowledge, and a practical understanding of both the financial and operational aspects of a business.
• Communicates clearly, openly, and effectively internally up, down and across the organization, and externally with the customer base.
• Works to maximize the ultimate success of the team and the company, not a political player.
• Take initiative, anticipate, and resolve roadblocks.
• Ability to balance the financial considerations of the business, customer satisfaction and market share.
• Moves effortlessly within different cultures and easily establishes contact and trust.
• Articulate, persuasive, and able to gain the confidence of the staff and the Senior Management Team.

Working Location - Tokyo, Japan （Relocation Support Provided）

Communication within team conducted in English.

At ASM we are committed to supporting our people, enabling them to develop their talents and perform at their best. We actively promote an inclusive and diverse culture that fosters trust and transparency. Our people are our power, and we value the differences between everyone because it is what make us better as a team. By embracing a wide range of perspectives, we enable a culture of continuous exploration and adoption of new ideas. At every step, we know that it is our valued people who enable us to deliver excellent products and service to our clients – and to make a meaningful difference in society.