Keysight Technologies

Overview

Keysight is on the forefront of technology innovation, delivering breakthroughs and trusted insights in electronic design, simulation, prototyping, test, manufacturing, and optimization. Our ~15,000 employees create world-class solutions in communications, 5G, automotive, energy, quantum, aerospace, defense, and semiconductor markets for customers in over 100 countries. Learn more about what we do.

Our award-winning culture embraces a bold vision of where technology can take us and a passion for tackling challenging problems with industry-first solutions. We believe that when people feel a sense of belonging, they can be more creative, innovative, and thrive at all points in their careers.

Position Overview

The High Frequency Technology Center (HFTC) Operations Director is responsible for manufacturing and delivering industry-leading, highly differentiated semiconductor components including integrated circuits (ICs), systems-in-package (SiPs), and thin film circuits to enable Keysight’s world-leading electronics instrumentation products. This position oversees comprehensive manufacturing operations to support both production delivery and R&D, including new product introductions and new process technology development. The HFTC Operations Director is accountable for safely, rapidly, predictably, and cost-effectively delivering high-quality wafers and chips.

Established over 50 years ago, Keysight’s HFTC provides semiconductors that drive Keysight's market leadership and revenue. Located in the beautiful wine country of Sonoma County in Santa Rosa, California, HFTC is a world-class semiconductor organization that invents, designs, and manufactures state-of-the-art custom integrated circuits (ICs) to enable the industry’s highest-performance test and measurement solutions. HFTC’s proprietary indium phosphide (InP) and gallium arsenide (GaAs) semiconductor platforms make possible some of the world’s highest-speed and highest-frequency Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMICs). These chips are custom designed to enable instrumentation with unmatched signal fidelity, bandwidth, and dynamic range. Keysight’s 50,000 sq. ft. microfabrication facility—paired with deep expertise in IC design, modeling, and advanced compound semiconductor manufacturing—provides a distinct competitive advantage in delivering industry-leading performance.

Responsibilities

Semiconductor Fab Operations Director

Advanced Technology Labs - Keysight Technologies

Keysight is seeking a semiconductor leader with broad and deep operations expertise to manage a complex, high-mix manufacturing environment. Based at Keysight’s headquarters in Santa Rosa, California, this role oversees end-to-end operations within and across wafer fabrication, advanced packaging, and thin film technologies.

The ideal candidate brings both semiconductor technology knowledge and strong operational leadership, with a clear emphasis on running a nimble fab with excellence—driving execution, process control, tooling, and output in a 24/7 environment. This high-impact role offers significant visibility, with the opportunity to shape the future of Keysight’s semiconductor manufacturing capabilities while playing a critical role as a member of SVP staff in enabling the company’s industry-leading test and measurement business as part of a thriving, collaborative, and financially strong organization.

Position reports to the Sr. VP of Keysight’s Advanced Technology Laboratories.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing Operations Leadership

• Oversee full end-to-end manufacturing of all fab operations (semiconductor, advanced packaging, thin film), supporting new technology development through product obsolescence.
• Develop and execute long-term strategies for fab capacity, technology roadmap alignment, and capital investment planning.
• Oversee 24/7 operations across three fabrication facilities, responsible for manufacturing and testing components that drive a significant portion of Keysight’s revenue:
  • IC fab (GaAs and InP based) – wafer fab through chip-level back-end
  • Advanced packaging fab
  • Thin Film fab
• Manage manufacturing transition to scale and mature technologies from R&D to production
• Manage output, inventory, and quality
• Plan and manage capital investments and facility maintenance to maximize fab up-time

Team and Resource Management

• Lead, grow and develop a diverse team of >200 FTEs
• Manage multi-disciplinary workforce spanning production operators and technicians, equipment engineering and maintenance technicians, and operations engineers.
• Ensure optimal staffing and resource allocation for 24/7 manufacturing operations.

Strategic Advancement

• Continuously rebalance fab capacity and output to match to demand across fab lines to support Keysight’s product portfolio.
• Operationalize and optimize the introduction of new leading technologies (semiconductor or System-in-Package)
• Implement structural changes to enable Keysight's end-to-end development transformation from chip to subsystem
• Participate in the definition and support of company-wide strategic initiatives

Performance and Quality Excellence

• Track, maintain and drive key performance metrics: safety, quality, delivery, cycle times, yields, and operational efficiency
• Implement continuous improvement processes across all manufacturing operations
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, government regulations, and internal quality requirements and foster a culture of innovation, accountability and safety
• Drive cost optimization while maintaining superior product quality

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work as one with the HFTC R&D and Engineering organization on a strategic and operational basis
• Collaborate with the broader manufacturing operations in Keysight (Planning, Supply chain, higher level assembly)
• Partner with and support instrument product teams

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Electrical, Chemical, Materials, or related field) preferred; or equivalent degree with applicable experience
• Minimum 15 years of semiconductor/electronics high tech manufacturing experience including lithography, etch, deposition, metrology, and test
• Minimum 10 years of leadership experience in semiconductor manufacturing
• Proven track record in semiconductor fabrication and test environments

Technical Expertise

• Broad understanding of semiconductor manufacturing processes, tooling, and manufacturing execution systems, particularly IC and advanced packaging
• Familiarity with 24/7 manufacturing operations and key performance metrics

Leadership Competencies

• Strong analytical, communication skills with demonstrated ability to lead large, diverse technical-operations teams
• Experience managing across technical disciplines
• Strong track record of driving operational excellence and continuous improvement

Strategic and Business Acumen

• Experience with technology development processes and product lifecycle management
• Understanding of technology roadmaps and strategic planning
• Ability to drive organizational transformation and structural changes
• Fluent in manufacturing financials and experience managing costs and budget

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in advanced semiconductor and system-in-package (SiP) manufacturing technologies
• Experience with Industry 4.0, manufacturing execution systems (MES), statistical process control (SPC), automation, and smart manufacturing
• Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing certifications
• Experience in high-reliability, high-performance IC manufacturing environments
• Advanced degree Engineering (Electrical, Chemical, Materials, or related field)

Location

Santa Rosa – Full-time On-site position; candidates must be local or willing to relocate to Santa Rosa, CA – remote or hybrid modes will not be considered

Careers Privacy Statement***Keysight is an Equal Opportunity Employer.***

The level of role will be based on applicable experience, education and skills; Most offers will be between the minimum and the midpoint of the Salary Range listed below.

California pay range: MIN $216,880 - MID point $289,170 - MAX $361,470

Note: For other locations, pay ranges will vary by region

This role is eligible for Keysight Pay for Results Bonus Program

US Employees may be eligible for the following benefits:

• Medical, dental and vision
• Health Savings Account
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life, Accident, Disability insurance
• Business Travel Accident and Business Travel Health
• 401(k) Plan
• Flexible Time Off, Paid Holidays
• Paid Family Leave
• Discounts, Perks
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Adoption Assistance
• ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan)

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