Director, Engineering R&D

Join UCT and be part of the fastest-growing sector in the world! We indirectly touch every semiconductor chip that goes into every smartphone, smart car, and device that uses artificial intelligence. This is a critical time for the semiconductor industry and for UCT - as technology evolves, we evolve with it. UCT is a diverse workplace where every talented employee is committed to continuous innovation, challenging the status quo and exceeding customer expectations. If you are a person with a relentless drive to succeed, a strong focus on quality with a passion for success – join us today! 

UCT is looking for a talented Director, Engineering R&D to join us in Phoenix, AZ!

The Director of Engineering R&D role in the company is critical to driving the success of the part cleaning, coating and refurbishment aspect of our business. The person in this role needs to have a multi-faceted skill set, an analytical mind and a strong understanding of the new and used parts cleaning business. This position will include collaboration with Engineering, Sales and Marketing with respect to the overall strategy, development and introduction of new or improved products and processes to align with market research and customer requirements. The role is the key force in the services division for strategic NPI and scaling new technologies and opportunities into production across global factories.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Leads team in identifying feasibility of new technologies and successfully scaling them into production with handoff to operations and local engineering teams.
• Develops the strategies and plans for process and product optimization, growth, market penetration & diversification of the business offerings.
• Directly manages the company’s Research and Development personnel in the areas of Special Projects, Research and development, NPI, and Intellectual Property efforts.
• Identifies and guides subject matter expert activities in the Technology Centers of Excellence (TCE’s), including Coatings, Automation, Surface Preparation, Chemical Processing, Physical and Chemical Metrology and Microcontaminant to identify and internally publish Best Known Methods.
• Identifies and facilitates continuous improvement opportunities for each of the TCE’s.
• Collaborates effectively with Sales and Marketing partners, serving as needed in a customer facing role as Corporate Engineering representative, ensuring that customer needs and requirements are understood and effectively communicated throughout the organization as required.
• Understand the aspects of a customer’s business which applies to our company’s core competencies & support.
• Builds and maintains peer support and strong interdepartmental relationships with other key management personnel.
• Collaborates and works effectively with Site Engineering, Quality, Facilities, EH&S, Operations departments to achieve corporate quality, safety, environmental and regulatory goals.
• Collaborates effectively with the Executive Leadership team, Senior Leadership, Finance, IT, Human Resources and other departments as needed to ensure sufficient resources are in place and functioning successfully to accomplish organizational goals.
• Leads projects as assigned to implement new technologies, proliferate existing BKMs, and process optimization.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Expert in semi-conductor parts cleaning, coatings, and cleaning equipment.
• Demonstrated proficiency managing analytically rigorous initiatives.
• Strong interpersonal and team building skills; ability to work with a diverse team and influence/drive change across functional and business boundaries.
• Strong project management, product management, planning, and organization skills, including ability to handle multiple projects and products simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Continuous improvement mind set; ability to suggest and implement best practices.
• Self-starter with unquestionable integrity with strong and clear communication skills.
• Familiarity with "Six Sigma", "Lean Manufacturing" concepts and other process improvement methods and approaches. Full understanding of production, engineering & quality initiatives, focus on safety & quality.
• Able to foster trust & teamwork among direct reports, growth & professional development. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Excellent interpersonal skills. Able to work well with individuals at all levels, within and outside the organization. Able to successfully prioritize and manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously. Proficiency with Excel, PowerPoint and other systems/software to perform job duties satisfactorily. Able to complete assignments in a timely manner in adherence to deadlines and with sense of urgency.
  
  

Educational/Certification Requirement

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering Sciences.
  
  

Work Experience

• Minimum of fifteen (15) years of related engineering experience in product engineering, and/or quality engineering.
• Five (5) years of successful people management experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of related engineering experience in the semiconductor equipment industry and/or
• 10 years of experience in the OEM engineering manufacturing industry.
• Experience developing and implementing complex corporate programs.
• Comfortable presenting to Senior Executive Staff and external customer executives.
  

Work Environment

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Work is performed primarily in office environment.
  
  

Physical Demands

• Ability to kneel, reach, walk, push, pull and grasp.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to move arms, hands and fingers
• Ability to sit for sustained periods of time.
• Required to wear personal protective equipment.
• Ability to talk on phone and use computer for extended periods of time may be required.
  
  

Environmental Exposure

• Required to wear personal protective equipment where applicable.
• Subject to frequent interruptions.
• Ability to talk on phone and use computer for extended periods of time may be required.
• May involve exposure to moderate noise levels from printers, faxes, computers etc.
  
  

Overnight Travel

• Work may require out of town travel depending upon assignment (training and meeting).
• Travel may be for extended periods to support startup of new projects and technology.
  
  

Ultra Clean Technology is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, and any other characteristic protected under laws and regulations.