What are the responsibilities and job description for the Semiconductor Fab Operations Manager position at Keysight Technologies and Careers?
Our award-winning culture embraces a bold vision of where technology can take us and a passion for tackling challenging problems with industry-first solutions. We believe that when people feel a sense of belonging, they can be more creative, innovative, and thrive at all points in their careers.
The High Frequency Technology Center (HFTC) in Santa Rosa is seeking an exceptional Semiconductor Fab Operations Manager to lead 60 people org with mixed background of operators, technicians, and shift supervisors. This Manager leads day‑to‑day IC Fab 24/7 operations to deliver high‑quality production and NPI (New Product Introduction) ICs safely, efficiently, and ahead of internal customer demand, as aligned to the HFTC Fab Ops mission statement and business management system (BMS). The role owns shop‑floor execution, shift leadership, KPI performance, operational excellence, and driving a high performing team culture through integrity, accountability, and trust.
Key Responsibilities:
Operations Leadership & Daily Execution
Own shop‑floor performance across all shifts; ensure smooth shift handoffs, clear pass‑downs, disciplined work selection, and schedule/run‑plan adherence.
Drive equipment utilization and downtime minimization through proactive escalation and close partnership with maintenance/engineering.
Use real‑time KPIs to manage production flow and remove bottlenecks; ensure visibility of performance to stakeholders.
Safety & Quality
Lead with a zero‑incident mindset; enforce safety standards and behaviors across all bays and shifts.
Maintain process discipline (process docs/MES instructions); reduce procedural/handling errors through training, coaching, and standardized work.
Performance & Continuous Improvement
Own and improve factory productivity (e.g., moves/day) and turn‑around time (TAT) for priority technologies by utilizing daily/weekly reviews and corrective actions.
Track and actively reduce WIP age and stuck‑WIP % via pass‑down discipline and data‑driven problem solving.
Champion LEAN practices and structured Kaizen focused on throughput, quality, and cost.
People Leadership & Culture
Set clear expectations; coach supervisors/technicians to high standards of accountability, teamwork, and growth mindset.
Build a pyramid training structure; sustain multi‑bay cross‑training standards to increase flexibility and burst capacity.
Conduct performance reviews and development plans; recognize contributions that move KPIs and customer outcomes.
Customer & Cross‑Functional Collaboration
Align routinely with internal customers (Planning, Keysight production line, NCI (New Circuit Introduction)/NPI teams) on priorities, timelines, and deliverables; escalate early to protect TAT and schedule.
Partner with Engineering, Maintenance, Industrial Engineering, and Data/Analytics to stabilize processes, accelerate qualifications, and simplify operations.
Systems, Data & Digital Operations
Operate within the Fab Ops BMS; use dashboards and standardized reviews to run the business and enable fast, transparent decisions.
Ensure accurate MES/pass‑down data entry and integrity; leverage analytics to predict constraints and plan staffing/training accordingly.
Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent experience in a related field;
5 years in semiconductor or advanced manufacturing operations; prior shift‑based factory leadership experience and or 24/7 operations experience strongly preferred.
Demonstrated results improving throughput, TaT, and WIP health using KPIs and structured problem solving.
Working knowledge of compound semiconductor fabs (GaAs/InP), MES/lot‑tracking systems, SPC, and LEAN/continuous improvement.
Strong leadership: coaching, performance management, and cross‑functional collaboration across engineering, planning, and maintenance.
Careers Privacy Statement***Keysight is an Equal Opportunity Employer.***
Santa Rosa, CA Pay Range: MIN $122,040.00 - MAX $203,400.00
Salary : $122,040 - $203,400