Sr. Program Manager, Emerging and Strategic Technologies

Job description

A career with EMD Electronics is an ongoing journey of discovery: our 58,000 people are shaping how the world lives, works and plays through next generation advancements in Healthcare, Life Science and Electronics. For more than 350 years and across the world we have passionately pursued our curiosity to find novel and vibrant ways of enhancing the lives of others. EMD Electronics is a business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.

Everything we do in EMD Electronics is to help us deliver on our purpose of being the company behind the companies, advancing digital living. We are dedicated to being the trusted supplier of high-tech materials, services and specialty chemicals for the electronics, automotive and cosmetics industries. We foster a global collaborative organization made up of individuals who have the passion to win, obsess about the customer, are relentlessly curious and act with urgency. Together, we push the boundaries of science to make more possible for our customers.

Your Role:

This is a senior and an impactful position with accountability for the technical management of technical research and development programs with leading semiconductor and/or display companies to meet customer's disruptive new materials, films, stacks and device innovation needs. Candidate will be responsible for all aspects of program management starting from defining the SOW to executing the deliverables, communicating results to the customer, supporting bid and proposal actions, and facilitating contract renewals. Candidate's technical expertise enables to understand and capture the customer challenges and find or define appropriate solutions leveraging our organizations' expertise and capabilities.

Candidate will work effectively in a mixed environment with other materials engineering team members including materials scientists, device, process and electrical test engineers to achieve program goals and develop solutions for customers. Candidate will work closely with the customer in order to understand current and future needs and be accountable for driving high quality of deliverables with minimal guidance. She/he will work with the customer and business development teams in understanding the current and adjacent technology areas and align internal activities, renew ongoing business engagements and/or expand business opportunities with existing/new customers. She/he will help guide and influence peers and middle management , while reporting to senior management regarding technical issues and program challenges. She/he will contribute to the technical direction or even the strategic direction of the program or customer engagement.

* First point of contact for customers from the semiconductor/displays market space
* Define, manage & maintain program strategy for successful execution within scope, schedule and resources
* Establish strong relationship with key members of customers' development teams
* Understand and anticipate customer roadmaps to renew and/or expand business
* Lead customer engagement in defining technical strategy and potential areas of collaboration and work flow development
* Develop a long-term relationship with customer based on trust and technical excellence
* Effectively communicate customer requirements into actionable activities for the program teams, on a weekly and beyond basis
* Manage a portfolio of programs and initiatives to ensure a complete and robust implementation of key marketing strategies
* Solve complex, multi-faceted problems and deliver solutions that ensure end products/solutions meet customer and business needs
* Evangelize customer value propositions and solutions to customers, sales and business development teams
* Be the gatekeeper for out-going data quality and for all technical communication with the customer
* Drive and coordinate internal resources for achieving customers' goals and program success without compromising value
* Apply subject matter expertise in semiconductor materials and device development to motivate semiconductor and/or display solutions satisfying customer needs defined in the SOW
* Assess opportunities for IP filings in conjunction with program teams, customer teams and/or internal materials development teams, as appropriate

Who You Are

Minimum qualifications:

* M.S. in Chemistry, semiconductor physics, material science or electrical engineering or related field
* Minimum 7+ years' experience.

Preferred qualifications:

* Ph.D. in Chemistry, semiconductor physics, material science or electrical engineering or related field
* Proven experience in managing customer interactions in the semiconductor space: experience in managing project scope vs customer asks in a technical, dynamic environment such as R&D or scale-up.
* Good understanding of technology trends and bottlenecks in the semiconductor market
* Proficiency in ALD/PVD processes & process development.
* Familiarity with general characterization techniques and In-depth knowledge in X-ray techniques (XRF, XRD, XPS)
* Self-motivated, excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to effectively interface with customers
* Familiarity with adjacent processes (CVD, Etch, patterning, Cleans) or materials related mechanisms are a plus
* Self-starter with a demonstrated sense of urgency who thrives both independently and in team environments
* Ability to work in clean room environment

What we offer: With us, there are always opportunities to break new ground. We empower you to fulfil your ambitions, and our diverse businesses offer various career moves to seek new horizons. We trust you with responsibility early on and support you to draw your own career map that is responsive to your aspirations and priorities in life. Join us and bring your curiosity to life!

Curious? Apply and find more information at

The Company is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. No employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, gender identity, transgender status, marital status, or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy of Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all policies and programs relating to recruitment and hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, discipline, termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment. Any applicant or employee who believes they have been discriminated against by the Company or anyone acting on behalf of the Company must report any concerns to their Human Resources Business Partner, Legal, or Compliance immediately. The Company will not retaliate against any individual because they made a good faith report of discrimination.