Chief Technology Officer, High-Power Semiconductors

An established high-power semiconductor manufacturer serving power transmission and distribution, railway traction, electric vehicles, renewable energy and industrial energy conversion and control is looking for a Chief Technology Officer to lead its technological vision and strategy: leading Research, Development and Design of new products as well as product and process engineering, driving the integration of technical capabilities for world-class product development, and serving as a core member of the Executive Leadership Team.

Based at the company's UK site, reporting to the CEO, with three direct reports (the R&D, Product Engineering and Process Engineering leads) and close coordination with the group's engineering and operations teams in China.

What you'll do

• Directly supervise the R&D, product and process engineering functions for power devices and power assemblies, championing a culture of innovation and continuous improvement in advanced semiconductor device technologies
• Formulate and execute strategies for cutting-edge R&D leading to next-generation, commercially viable products, documented in quarterly executable plans for the CEO and leadership team, and lead a long-term technology roadmap aligned to customer and market demand
• Work with the sales team on market requirements and the competitive environment to keep products at the leading edge, and close quality or performance gaps against competitors
• Ensure effective coordination between the UK and China engineering teams to gain from both while avoiding duplication, and identify talent to build high-performing teams and future leaders
• Deliver all development products on time and on budget through effective programme management, and design and manage a set of KPIs for world-class performance
• Lead strategic investment planning for R&D and process technology, oversee budgets and project costs, and present project performance and financial risk to the Board

What you'll bring

• A master's degree or equivalent in a relevant science or engineering discipline
• 5+ years of senior leadership in a research-based engineering environment, with experience leading product and process engineering functions strongly preferred
• An in-depth understanding of semiconductor development and manufacturing in Si and wide-bandgap / ultra-wide-bandgap devices, with an incisive perception of that industry a plus
• Proven creation and execution of departmental strategies with positive outcomes, and knowledge of innovation-focused R&D methodologies
• Commercial acumen and financial literacy, an open, fair and transparent management style, and the ability to lead a multicultural technical team and manage conflict
• Effective communication at all levels, including to the Board and innovation partners in the UK, Europe, China and beyond