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.

Department

Technical

Locations

Bristol

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