Corporate Director, KPU Head

ASM is experiencing one of the most exciting growth periods in its history, fueled by breakthroughs in materials engineering and our expanding leadership in advanced semiconductor nodes. As the KPU Head for Nitrides (NT), you will take on a pivotal role in shaping the future of ASM’s Nitride technology portfolio - an area essential to scaling next generation logic and memory devices. This is a unique opportunity to guide the strategy, roadmap, and execution of a strategic product line while working alongside some of the most accomplished engineers, technologists, and customers in the industry. Your leadership will directly influence ASM’s competitiveness and technology trajectory for years to come. 

The KPU Head for Nitrides leads the full product and technology lifecycle - from early innovation and architecture definition through product development, HVM deployment, and end of life. This role demands a seasoned leader with deep semiconductor process equipment expertise, strong systems level vision, and the ability to drive complex, global organizations toward high value outcomes. You will ensure that ASM’s Nitride platforms deliver worldclass performance, quality, reliability, manufacturability, and customer value across a rapidly evolving set of device requirements. 

Success in this role requires someone effective in strategy, customer engagement, product architecture, engineering execution, and organizational leadership. You will drive breakthrough solutions, guide a cross functional global team, and set the pace for innovation in an area central to ASM’s long-term differentiation. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Build, mentor, and scale a world-class engineering and product organization with deep expertise in Nitride process chemistry, film properties, device integration, and ALD equipment behavior. 

• Own the complete lifecycle of ASM’s Nitrides product line, from concept and architecture through development, validation, release, and HVM expansion. 

• Define and lead the product and technology roadmap based on market inflections, customer roadmaps, and ASM’s long-term strategy. 

• Drive daily execution across process development, hardware engineering, software, controls, and manufacturing teams 

• Lead PLC teams to deliver next generation Nitride ALD systems that meet performance, cost, schedule, and manufacturability targets. 

• Lead your Process Engineering, Product Management, Marketing, and Key Account Technology teams to accelerate qualification cycles and deliver solutions that address customer problems. 

• Engage directly with global customers to understand their integration needs, roadmap evolution, and challenges related to Nitride films, stacks, and device modules. 

• Translate customer insights into clear product requirements and competitive differentiation strategies. 

• Drive continuous improvement in product performance, system reliability, and engineering execution efficiency. 

• Support strategic planning, market forecasting, and long-term portfolio direction for the Nitrides KPU. 
• Represent the Nitride product line in executive, customer, and across BU forums. 
   

 

Preferred Technical Expertise 

• Experience in Nitride deposition (e.g., metal nitrides and carbides such as WC, TiN, TaN and other conductive films for metallization, electrodes and gate metal applications across memory and logic 

• Deep understanding of ALD chemistries, precursors, kinetics, conformality, and integration considerations for FEOL, MOL, or BEOL modules. 

• Strong familiarity with device integration challenges where nitrides play a critical role (e.g., spacers, liners, barriers, gates, and passivation layers). 

• Systems level knowledge of semiconductor process equipment architecture. 
   

Qualifications 

• Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or related field; PhD preferred. 

• Minimum of 15 years of industry with a proven track record of leading the development of deposition equipment for semiconductor industry. 

• Demonstrated leadership of global, multifunctional engineering teams of 20+ through complex product development cycles. 

• Strong history of executing products under cost, ahead of schedule, with the utmost quality. 

• Direct customer engagement experience solving complex integration and process challenges. 

 

Personal and Professional Attributes 

• Visionary, talent‑first leader who anticipates customer needs, shapes the nitrides roadmap, and builds an inclusive, high‑performing team. 

• Agile, results‑driven operator who delivers excellence beyond industry standards and leads change with resilience and a One ASM mindset. 

• Strategic thinker with strong execution discipline; comfortable balancing big picture vision with day-to-day details. 

• Persistent, adaptable, and skilled at navigating ambiguity in fast-moving technology environments. 

• Natural problem solver who communicates with clarity while aligning diverse stakeholders 

• Effective at decision-making under incomplete information and prioritizing what truly matters 

• Collaborative and culturally inclusive, with the ability to influence across global teams and functions. 

• Inspires teams to innovate, deliver, and continuously improve.