Your tasks
- Define and execute package-material strategy, technology roadmaps and portfolio priorities for polymers, encapsulants, fillers, die attach, solder/sinter, wire and interconnect, optics, substrates, leadframes, PCB/MCB, ceramics, surface/plasma technologies and packing materials.
- Own material governance and alignment. Ensure customer, product and application requirements are translated into material requirements, design rules, qualification plans and clear entry/exit criteria. Enforce consensus before roadmap entry and investment.
- Lead material scouting, feasibility, T/X projects, Q-project/PPCM execution, qualification, safe launch and transfer into stable manufacturing. Balance speed, risk, quality, manufacturability and lifecycle needs.
- Allocate engineering resources across PD, PDE/TLM, Procurement and Operations demand; establish transparent priorities, resolve overloads and drive on-time delivery of strategic programs and critical task forces.
- Build strategic supplier roadmaps; lead alternative-source and second-source scouting; guide supplier capability assessment, technical audits, FAI and risk mitigation together with Procurement and Supplier Quality.
- Provide senior technical direction for material-process-product interactions, complex failures, reliability risks, chronic issues and cross-functional 8D / RCA activities. Ensure sound use of DOE, SPC, FMEA, MSA/Gage R&R and data analytics.
- Strengthen material characterization, methodology development, cross-site correlation, modeling support, Tech Database usage, lessons learned and AI/data-enabled engineering.
- Lead, coach and develop a multidisciplinary team; clarify roles and interfaces; build succession and technical-expert pipelines; establish competency maps, training plans and knowledge-transfer mechanisms.
- Drive APAC capability growth and transfer of selected workstreams from Regensburg to Penang/Wuxi with documented handshakes, demonstrated competency and no loss of delivery or quality.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, confidentiality, IP, EHS, quality systems, automotive/customer requirements and applicable standards. Maintain traceability, document control and audit readiness for R&D material activities.
- Deliver measurable improvements in project speed, material cost, yield, quality, supply continuity and engineering productivity. Maintain KPI/BSC reviews and disciplined budget/resource management.
- Represent Material Engineering in leadership reviews, sourcing committees, project gates, supplier engagements and global roadmap forums. Communicate decisions, risks, dependencies and escalations clearly.
Who we are looking for
Education
- Master's Degree or PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline.
Strong Bachelor's Degree holders with extensive relevant experience may also be considered.
Experience
- Minimum 12 years of experience in semiconductor, optoelectronics, advanced packaging, electronic materials, or related high-tech industries.
- At least 5 years of leadership experience managing technical teams, projects, or organizations.
- Proven experience leading material development, qualification, and industrialization from concept to manufacturing release.
- Experience in automotive and/or high-reliability electronics is an added advantage.
Technical Expertise
- Strong knowledge of semiconductor packaging materials, polymers, encapsulants, interconnects, substrates, leadframes, PCB and ceramic technologies.
- Expertise in material selection, qualification, reliability, failure analysis, and supplier development.
- Hands-on experience with structured problem-solving methodologies, including DOE, FMEA, SPC, RCA, and risk assessment.
Leadership & Project Management
- Demonstrated success leading cross-functional and global R&D programs, material qualification projects, technology transfers, and supplier collaborations.
- Proven ability to lead and develop engineering teams of 15-25 members or equivalent matrix organizations.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with experience working across R&D, Product Engineering, Operations, Quality, Procurement, and Manufacturing teams.
Global Collaboration
- Experience working in multicultural and matrix organizations, collaborating across regions such as Asia and Europe.
- Excellent communication skills in English, with willingness to travel internationally when required.
Key Competencies
- Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and data-driven decision-making capabilities.
- Exceptional leadership, coaching, stakeholder management, and influencing skills.
- Ability to drive innovation, organizational transformation, and continuous improvement in a fast-paced technology environment.
- High level of accountability, integrity, and ownership with a proven track record of delivering results.




