Senior Manager, Operations Engineering

Line Manager: Managing Director Technology & Engineering of AIXTRON Malaysia
Dotted Report to: Director Operations Engineering of AIXTRON SE



About AIXTRON

AIXTRON is a technology and innovation-driven market leader in deposition equipment (MOCVD) for third-generation semiconductor materials such as GaN, SiC and GaAs—critical enablers for energy efficiency, data communications and AI infrastructure. Headquartered in Herzogenrath, Germany, we hold the #1 market position in each of the markets we serve and build some of the industry’s most sophisticated high-tech systems. What sets us apart is how we combine deep technology focus, customer orientation and speed of innovation with strong team spirit, agility and a collaborative company culture. Learn more at www.aixtron.com.

AIXTRON’s new manufacturing & engineering hub in Malaysia

We are building a new greenfield manufacturing and engineering hub in Batu Kawan, Penang. The site will provide a state-of-the-art cleanroom environment for assembly & test of our high-end systems and will contribute to engineering the next generation of products. Operations are planned to start in 2027 with a rapid ramp-up. Beyond technology, the new location is designed as a modern workplace with state-of-the art office and amenities  — built to foster collaboration and a strong focus on people wellbeing.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for purpose-driven builders: hands-on professionals with entrepreneurial spirit who enjoy setting up structures, improving processes and taking ownership in a fast-moving environment. As pioneers of our Malaysia site, you will help to shape not only your function, but also how we work together locally — while being connected to a global team of around 1,000 employees from ~60 nationalities across Asia, Europe and the US. We offer competitive benefits, outstanding technical expertise, development opportunities and training.

About the role

We are establishing a high-productivity site with full end-to-end responsibility for product generations — not a satellite, not a support unit, but a true pillar of AIXTRON’s global network. To make this vision reality, we are looking for a strong, entrepreneurial leader to build and shape our Operations Engineering organization from the ground up. This is more than a management position. This is a mandate to build, drive, and transform.

As Manager of our Operations Engineering team, you will take full responsibility for system definition, mechanical, electrical and software engineering execution across the order-to-delivery process. You combine operational rigor with entrepreneurial drive. You are structured, decisive, and forward-looking — and hands-on when needed.

Responsibilities

End-to-End Engineering Ownership 

• Ensure engineering responsibility across the full order-to-delivery cycle 
• Manage upgrades and customer-specific adaptations with precision and speed 
• Oversee complete engineering execution excellence 
• Guarantee robust system performance, quality, and cost control 

Build & Lead a High-Performance Organization 

• Recruit, develop, and inspire top engineering talent 
• Foster a prevention-driven, ownership-oriented culture 
• Implement clear accountability structures and performance metrics 
• Establish harmonized operations engineering workflows 

Operational & Technical Excellence 

• Drive frame, sheet metal, and welded structure design governance 
• Lead thermal management and vacuum system engineering excellence 
• Ensure contamination control awareness in semiconductor environments 
• Establish strong product change management and configuration control 
• Ensure master data consistency across engineering and enterprise systems 

Productivity & Industrialization 

• Own department budget and cost efficiency targets 
• Drive standardization, reuse, and modularization strategies 
• Develop mid-term resource and capacity planning models 
• Evaluate make-or-buy decisions and external sourcing strategies 
• Lead technology evaluations and structured industrialization rollouts 

Global Collaboration & Transformation 

• Work in close partnership with world-class experts in Germany and UK
• Align operational standards with global best practices 
• Shape transformation initiatives across functions 
• Strengthen supplier integration and collaboration models 
• Embed the AIXTRON mindset in Malaysia — speed, precision, ownership 

Qualifications & Skills

• University degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field 
• More than 10 years of professional experience  with 5–10 years of engineering leadership experience 
• Expertise in welded structures, sheet metal design, cooling systems, and vacuum engineering 
• Understanding of contamination control in semiconductor environments 
• Strong experience in technical decision-making under uncertainty 
• Proven track record in make-or-buy evaluations and cost optimization 
• Experience harmonizing mechanical and electrical development processes 
• Strong budget ownership experience 
• Excellent stakeholder communication skills 
• Fluent in English and Bahasa Malaysia; Mandarin is an advantage.

Working Conditions

• Role based at AIXTRON Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
• Majority of work at the Batu Kawan site.
• Occasional travel to Headquarters in Germany or other regional sites.