Vice President of Operations (Semiconductor)
Summary:
The VP of Operations will be the architect of Ethernovia's delivery engine. Unlike purely administrative operations roles, this position requires a leader who is hands-on with semiconductor product, test, and qualification. You will bridge the gap between world-class networking chip designs and high-volume, automotive-grade silicon manufacturing. The position is based in San Jose, CA.
Key Responsibilities:
- Hands-on Product & Test Leadership: Drive the development of test hardware and software (wafer sort and final test). Oversee characterization, bench-to-ATE correlation, and limit-setting to ensure high-performance networking specs are met.
- End-to-End Semiconductor Qualification: Take direct ownership of the qualification strategy. You must have hands-on experience defining and executing stress testing, including HTOL (High-Temperature Operating Life), ESD, Latch-up, and HAST to ensure long-term silicon reliability.
- Automotive Grade Execution: Lead the transition to Automotive Qualification, ensuring all products meet rigorous reliability standards (AEC-Q100) and functional safety requirements (ISO 26262).
- Networking Silicon Manufacturing: Direct the operational lifecycle for high-speed Ethernet packet processors and PHYs, ensuring signal integrity and performance standards are maintained at scale.
- Foundry & OSAT Management: Act as the primary technical and commercial interface with Tier-1 foundries and OSAT partners; manage wafer capacity, production scheduling, and technology nodes.
- Yield & Cost Optimization: Use data-driven product engineering techniques to drive aggressive yield improvements and COGS reductions.
Required Experience & Skills:
Professional Background
- Semiconductor Operations Mastery: 15+ years of experience in fabless semiconductor operations, specifically for complex, high-performance SOCs or networking ICs.
- Hands-on Qualification Expertise: Must have direct experience managing and executing semiconductor qualification flows. You should be comfortable reviewing raw reliability data and troubleshooting failure mechanisms (FA).
- Product/Test Engineering: Proven track record of direct involvement in ATE (Automated Test Equipment) strategy, test time reduction, and product binning for high-speed communications chips.
- Automotive Tech & Quality: Experience navigating the Automotive electronics ecosystem, including IATF 16949, ISO 26262, and PPAP (Production Part Approval Process).
- Series B to Scale: Proven track record of building an operations and supply chain function from the ground up in a venture-backed startup.
- Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical field.
Technical Leadership & Skills:
- Vendor Management: Expert-level negotiation skills with Tier-1 partners (Foundries, Assembly, and Test houses).
- Networking Communications Focus: Understanding of the operational requirements for high-bandwidth data-path products (Ethernet, Switching, or high-speed SerDes).
- Systems Implementation: Experience deploying ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP) tailored for semiconductor supply chain and inventory tracking.
Nice to Have (The "Competitive Advantage"):
- TSMC Experience: Direct experience managing manufacturing flows through TSMC, including familiarity with their latest process nodes, FinFET technologies, and capacity planning.
- IPO & Public Company Readiness: Experience scaling operations for a company that successfully navigated an Initial Public Offering (IPO).
- International Expansion: Experience establishing operational hubs or quality centers in Europe or Asia to support global Tier-1 automotive OEMs.
Personal Skills:
- Excellent communication/documentation skills.
- Attention to details.
- Collaboration across multidisciplinary and international teams.
What You Can Expect From Ethernovia:
- Technology depth and breadth expansion that can't be found in a large company
- Opportunity to grow your career as the company grows
- Pre IPO stock options
- Cutting edge technology
- World class team
- Competitive base salary
- Flexible hours
- Medical, dental and vision insurance for employees
Salary Range:
- The actual offered base salary for U.S. locations will vary depending on factors such as work location, individual qualifications, specializations, experience, skills, job-related knowledge, and internal equity. The annual salary range for this position is $220,000 - $300,000. The compensation package will also include incentive compensation in the form of pre-IPO ISO options, as well as eligibility for performance bonuses, in addition to base salary and a full range of medical and other benefits.
* Principals Only (No Agencies)
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