Head of Foundry

The Head of Foundry owns fabrication reality. This role exists to ensure that what we design can actually be fabricated at yield, at scale, and without surprises.

The role

As Head of Foundry, you are accountable for process truth.

You own foundry relationships, process flows, yield, risk, and execution. You lead foundry meetings. You micromanage details because details determine success.

You are expected to be technically deep, obsessively prepared, and unafraid to push back.

This role requires intensity. You must be willing to work extended hours and weekends when required.

What you’ll do

Foundry ownership & execution

Own all external MEMS, PIC, and ASIC foundry relationships

Lead foundry meetings - agenda-driven, data-driven, decision-oriented

Translate R&D intent into foundry-ready process flows

Own tape-out readiness from a process and yield risk perspective

Flag, quantify, and escalate unacceptable yield or reliability risks early

Process engineering & risk

Own full process flows and understand every major process module, including:

Lithography: DUV, i-line, e-beam

Etching: DRIE (high aspect ratio), wet etch, VHF / HF release

Deposition: LPCVD, PECVD, metal deposition

Bonding: fusion bonding, eutectic bonding

TSVs, implantation, capping (vacuum capping in particular)

Wafer-level and die-level packaging

Flip-chip, wire bonding, routing, pad exposure

Dicing (including stealth dicing)

Understand typical defects, failure modes, and yield limiters for MEMS and PIC processes.

Drive process optimisation using:

Structured DOE planning and execution

SPC, process capability analysis

PFMEA, 5-Why, 8D root-cause analysis

Metrology & analysis (hands-on)

Personally perform or directly interpret:

SEM, FIB

Optical microscopy

Profilometry

Ellipsometry

AOI

Correlate metrology results with process steps, models, and yield data

Be able to say why something failed - not just that it failed

Modelling, tools & automation

Use and understand:

FEM and process simulation tools

Virtual cleanroom / process emulation software

KLayout (viewer and scripting for density checks, cross-sections, etc.)

PDK-related process rules and checks

Perform analytical pen-and-paper calculations to sanity-check foundry outputs.

Write Python for:

Data analysis

Yield tracking

Process monitoring

Automation of checks and reporting

Internal collaboration

Work closely with:

Head of R&D - to understand architectural intent and early risk

Head of Engineering - to stabilise, scale, and lock processes

Communicate clearly and asynchronously - written updates are expected, not optional

Be a constant source of process clarity, not noise

Required background

Direct experience working inside a MEMS foundry

At least 2 years in a project or process lead / manager role

Taken a MEMS product from concept through high-volume production in a fabless company

Deep MEMS process expertise, with working knowledge of PIC and ASIC processes

Hands-on metrology experience (SEM and related tools)

Ability to do:

First-principles hand calculations

FEM / process simulation

Python scripting for analysis and automation

Exceptional organisation and preparation skills

How this role fits

Reports directly to the CEO

Can block tape-out due to yield risk

External owner of manufacturing readiness

Works closely with Engineering and R&D

Who this role is for

Someone who hates surprises

Someone who enjoys digging into process corners

Someone who sees suppliers as engineering problems

Someone relentless about preparation and truth

What success looks like

Tape-outs happen without surprises

Process risks, yield limiters, and corner cases are identified before wafers are released, not discovered afterwards.

Yield and performance are explainable

Variations in device behaviour can be traced back to specific process steps, parameters, or interactions - with evidence, not guesses.

Foundries are tightly managed and deeply prepared

Foundry meetings are efficient, technical, and outcome-driven. External partners know that vague answers will be challenged and that data is expected.

Clear process ownership exists internally

Everyone knows which process assumptions are safe, which are marginal, and which are under active investigation. There is a single source of truth.

Failure modes are surfaced early and aggressively

Potential defects, reliability risks, and yield cliffs are flagged early, escalated clearly, and addressed systematically.

Process improvements are deliberate and measured

DOE, SPC, and capability analysis are used routinely to drive yield, stability, and cost improvements, not reactively after failures.

Metrology drives decisions

SEM, FIB, and other analysis tools are used to answer specific questions, correlate to models, and close loops, not to produce reports without conclusions.

Engineering and R&D trust the process data - Head of Engineering and Head of R&D rely on foundry data and analysis to make decisions, because it has proven to be accurate, timely, and honest.

The organisation stops lying to itself about manufacturability

Optimism is replaced by evidence. Risk is quantified. Trade-offs are explicit.

Scaling feels controlled, not fragile

As volume increases, the process becomes more predictable, not more stressful.

Working with us

Compensation: Our framework is built on fairness and transparency, with regular reviews to reflect growth and performance.

Benefits: Share options, pension, and private medical insurance.

Culture: A deep-tech rocketship backed by leading investors. We’re building breakthrough technology with real commercial impact. Pace is high. Standards are higher.

Zero Point Motion is determined to foster belonging and empowerment at work. We are committed to providing a work environment where there’s a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination, and everyone is treated with respect. Equity, diversity and inclusion are central to our mission, and we strongly encourage candidates of all different backgrounds and identities to apply. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us.

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