Operations Efficiency Engineer

Organisation/Company IMEC Research Field Engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Master Positions Final date to receive applications 4 Sep 2026 - 13:27 (Europe/Brussels) Country Belgium Type of Contract Permanent Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Operations Efficiency Engineer

At Imec, we're committed to delivering excellence in every aspect of our business. Our operations are the backbone of this commitment, and we're looking for a sharp, data-driven engineer to help us continuously improve efficiency, throughput, and quality across our R&D and fab environments. We are seeking an Operations Efficiency Engineer to help improve end-to-end operational performance across our semiconductor R&D lab and fab/cleanroom operations.

You’ll analyze complex datasets (equipment/utilization, process flows, logistics, planning, and cycle time) to pinpoint bottlenecks and sources of variation, followed by the translation of these insights into practical improvements. Your work will impact operational and investment decisions—streamlining workflows, increasing throughput, reducing cost, and improving predictability and quality.

What you will do

• Day to day operational support: you work together on a daily basis with Imec’s program management to make sure critical deliverables are met. You will be the central person between the integration community, program management and Fab execution
• Semiconductor Data Analysis & Reporting: Collect, clean, and analyze operational datasets from R&D and fab/cleanroom environments (e.g., tool utilization/OEE, WIP, cycle time, queue time, dispatching, capacity, and process performance). Build and maintain dashboards and KPI reporting to monitor throughput, predictability, and operational stability.
• Flow & Process Improvement (R&D + Fab): Identify bottlenecks and sources of variation across end-to-end semiconductor process flows, from experiment planning to fab execution. Define and implement improvements using Lean/Six Sigma and data-backed hypotheses (e.g., reducing queue time, stabilizing cycle time, improving handovers/standard work), and quantify impact on throughput, cost, and quality.
• Digitalization, Advanced Analytics & AI: Evaluate and implement reporting/analytics tooling to improve operational visibility and decision-making (e.g., capacity and load forecasting, anomaly detection, automated root-cause support, and KPI automation). Partner with data/IT teams and operational stakeholders to translate needs into scalable solutions and ensure adoption in day-to-day fab and R&D operations.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with R&D teams, process/equipment engineers, production/operations, planning, and logistics to understand constraints and translate them into practical improvements. Facilitate problem-solving workshops, align on KPIs, and drive implementation in a way that is robust, scalable, and measurable.
• You ideally have a masters degree in science or engineering
• Ideally, you bring hands-on experience in the semiconductor industry— within a fab/cleanroom, manufacturing, or semiconductor R&D operations setting (e.g., industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, process/equipment operations, production planning, or operational excellence). Experience with Lean/Six Sigma and end-to-end flow/cycle-time improvement is a strong plus.
• Strong proficiency in data analysis and reporting software. Experience with AI and machine learning concepts and their practical application in a business context is essential.
• Analytical Mindset and ability to interpret complex data, draw meaningful conclusions, and translate findings into actionable strategies.
• You have excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and persuasively to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

What we do for you

We offer you the opportunity to join one of the world’s premier research centers…