VP, Engineering

Salary Range: $ To $ Annually

Are you ready to lead the engineering organization of a growing, technology-focused business? Do you enjoy working collaboratively with highly skilled engineers to rapidly develop advanced automated equipment? Are you tired of working on the same product year after year?

AIR is seeking an experienced engineering leader to guide our Silicon Valley technical team. We develop complex custom equipment from early concept through first article build and customer deployment. You will work closely with customers to understand their needs, help shape equipment concepts, manage technical risk, and see the resulting systems operating in our customers' factories —or in their customers' factories.

We are looking for someone with a track record of leading strong engineering teams in a fast-paced technical environment. You should have the technical credibility to work effectively with experienced engineers and customers, while also knowing when to step back and let capable technical leaders lead. Experience developing complex capital equipment is important, and semiconductor equipment experience is strongly preferred.

Fast forward two years. You have strengthened an already capable engineering team and developed greater depth in the technical leaders who create the next generation of machines. You have successfully navigated ambiguous customer requirements and helped the team develop multiple new first-of-kind systems. You lead collaboratively, giving experienced technical leaders room to thrive while providing the direction, judgment, and accountability they need to succeed.

Sales considers you a valuable partner, and customers see you as a trusted advisor. You are working effectively across AIR SV and the broader AIR organization, helping shape both our technical capabilities and the future direction of the business.

For over 40 years, AIR Silicon Valley (formerly Owens Design) has specialized in designing and manufacturing complex, advanced technology systems. Our work has focused on semiconductor, hard disk drive, and emerging technologies where customers need equipment that does not yet exist; turning our customers’ cutting-edge intellectual property into viable products. We value collaboration, creativity, technical judgment, and quality. Our integration with AIR continues to expand the capabilities, resources, and expertise available to our team and our customers

AIR Silicon Valley’s ability to develop novel machine concepts is a critical competitive differentiator. Creating more depth within the staff to develop creative system architectures is a top priority.

• Develop engineers with the capability to translate ambiguous customer requirements into effective machine architectures
• Strengthen system-level capability in concept development, technical risk identification and management, and creative solution communication.
• Create opportunities and paths for emerging architects to develop complex concepts
• Supplement internal development with targeted hiring with a focus on precision motion, vacuum systems and general knowledge of semiconductor equipment and processes

In an environment with surges in project activity, flexible engineering resources must be used effectively to complement the in‑house staff while maintaining margins (both through high in‑house utilization and low‑cost outsourcing)

• Develop a strategy and establish partners that balances permanent staffing, consultants, contractors and AIR cross-business unit resources.
• Ensure AIR SV has sufficient engineering capacity to support backlog and…