Equipment Maintenance Manager

Diamond Foundry Inc. is solving the thermal limitation at the foundation of today's most exciting tech industries -- AI & cloud compute, electric-car power electronics, and 5G/6G wireless. We have managed to produce the world's first single-crystal diamond wafers and are now on a mission to put a diamond behind every chip. We are the rare unicorn that has grown fast and profitably.

We received $515m in funding and are executing a multi-$B expansion plan for one of the greenest forms of tech manufacturing: converting greenhouse gas into diamond wafers using zero-emission energy.

We are seeking an Equipment Maintenance Manager to lead maintenance operations at our Fremont R&D and customer sample fab. This role manages a team of maintenance technicians, owns the preventive maintenance program, and drives equipment reliability across our manufacturing operations. As Diamond Foundry scales, you'll grow the maintenance team and establish best practices for our expanding operations. A strong Maintenance Supervisor ready to step up, or someone with early manager experience who can balance hands‑on technical work with team leadership and administrative duties.

This person will work out of our Fremont, CA, location.

• Own the Preventive Maintenance Program & Maintenance Operations: Develop, implement, and optimize the PM program to maximize equipment uptime; manage corrective maintenance execution; track performance metrics (OEE, MTBF, MTTR); coordinate spare parts inventory and vendor relationships; ensure cost-effective operations while maintaining quality and safety standards.
• Lead and Develop the Maintenance Team: Directly manage and mentor maintenance technicians; handle recruiting, onboarding, training, and performance management; optimize workforce scheduling for 7-day coverage and future swing shift; build team capability through coaching and skill development; create a culture of accountability and continuous learning.
• Provide Technical Escalation and Troubleshooting Leadership: Serve as senior technical resource for complex equipment failures and critical production issues; lead root cause analysis using 8D methodology; maintain expertise in Class IV lasers, lapping/CMP systems, water vapor etch tools, high-vacuum equipment, and automated material handling; provide hands‑on support for critical repairs while mentoring technicians.
• Drive Cross-Functional Collaboration and Continuous Improvement: Partner with Equipment Engineering, Process Engineering, and Operations on tool installations, process qualifications, and production goals; lead improvement projects using Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies; deliver measurable results in equipment reliability and reduced downtime.
• Champion Safety and Regulatory Compliance: Enforce LOTO procedures, PPE requirements, and all safety protocols; conduct regular safety audits and hazard assessments; ensure compliance with OSHA standards, Cal/OSHA regulations, Class IV laser safety, and cleanroom protocols; investigate incidents and implement corrective actions.

• Maintenance Leadership
  
  Experience:
  
  5-7 years maintenance experience in high-volume manufacturing, industrial operations, or semiconductor/cleanroom environments; 2-3 years supervisory or team leadership experience; candidates with 1-2 years manager-level experience preferred; demonstrated ability to take on increasing responsibility.
• Technical Expertise in Complex Electro-Mechanical Systems: Expert knowledge maintaining high‑vacuum equipment, laser optics and Class IV laser systems (preferred), polishing/lapping/CMP machinery, automated robotic systems, precision mechanical assemblies, and motion control systems; strong troubleshooting skills across mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and control systems; PLC and automation controls experience is highly desirable.
• Data-Driven Operations and CMMS Proficiency: Hands‑on experience with CMMS platforms (Fiix, SAP, Maximo, or similar) for work order management, PM scheduling, and KPI tracking; ability to analyze equipment performance data and translate insights into improvements; working knowledge of Lean…