Senior Director, Corporate Development

The Senior Director of Corporate Development (M&A) leads inorganic growth strategy and execution for a global semiconductor equipment company. This role is responsible for identifying and acquiring technologies, product lines, and capabilities that strengthen the company’s position across wafer fabrication, process control, advanced packaging, and next-generation manufacturing ecosystems.

This leader partners closely with product line management, R&D/engineering, operations, supply chain, and executive leadership to evaluate and execute acquisitions, investments, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships that advance innovation, accelerate roadmap objectives, and expand the company’s portfolio across key inflection points (EUV, HBM, nanosheet/GAA, advanced deposition/etch, backside power delivery, etc)

 

Key Responsibilities

Semiconductor M&A Strategy & Market Intelligence

• Develop acquisition theses aligned with long-term semiconductor industry roadmaps (logic, memory, power, CIS, specialty devices)
• Build and manage a pipeline across:
  • Wafer fab equipment (WFE)
  • Metrology, inspection, and process control
  • Plasma/ALD/CVD/PVD deposition and etch
  • Lithography, cleaning, CMP, advanced packaging
  • Automation, robotics, factory software, and service solutions
  • Adjacent technologies (AI-enabled process optimization, sensors, materials)
• Monitor competitive moves by top WFE OEMs and emerging players

 

Deal Assessment: Technology, Product & Operational Evaluation

• Lead deep technical due diligence with engineering and product teams:
  • Process capability and differentiation
  • Technology maturity, yield impact, and customer validation
  • IP quality, trade secrets, and competitive barriers
  • Supply chain, component risk, and manufacturability
• Evaluate product synergies across the portfolio and fab workflow integration
• Lead financial modeling including:
  • TAM/SAM analysis by device node and wafer type
  • Gross margin and cost structure analysis specific to capital equipment
  • Service revenue modeling, install base implications
• Assess operational integration issues (e.g., supply chain scaling, manufacturing footprint, quality systems)

 

Transaction Execution

• Lead end-to-end transaction process: sourcing, NDA, LOI, diligence, negotiation, closing
• Structure deals including technology acquisitions, acquihires, minority investments, JVs, or full buyouts
• Negotiate key terms with founders, boards, PE owners, or strategic counterparties
• Manage relationships with bankers, legal counsel, technical diligence partners, and consultants
• Oversee internal deal governance across executive committees and Board approvals

 

Post-Merger Integration (PMI) for Semiconductor Equipment

• Partner with engineering, operations, supply chain, and quality teams to integrate:
  • Technology and product roadmaps
  • Hardware + software architecture
  • Manufacturing processes and factory standards
  • Field service operations and customer support
• Develop synergy cases across:
  • Bill of materials (BOM) optimization
  • Manufacturing cost improvements
  • Supply chain consolidation
  • Service revenue expansion
  • Cross-selling and leveraging global customer relationships
• · Ensure retention of critical engineering, systems architecture, and applications teams
• Track integration KPIs and escalation mechanisms for risk management

 

Executive Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Advise C-suite and BU leaders on inorganic strategy and competitive dynamics
• Prepare Board materials including market analyses, investment cases, and risk assessments
• Partner with CTO office, CPO, GPMs, and R&D leaders to align acquisitions with technology roadmaps
• Serve as a visible leader across the organization, developing M&A talent and capabilities
• Establish strong relationships with semiconductor startups, research institutes, VCs, and ecosystem partners

 

Required Experience & Qualifications

Technical / Functional

• 12+ years of experience in M&A, corporate development, strategy, investment banking (semiconductor/industrial tech), or private equity
• Deep knowledge of semiconductor manufacturing or equipment:
  • Deposition, etch, lithography, metrology/inspection, wafer handling, factory automation
  • Process integration and device scaling trends
  • Materials science, vacuum systems, controls, robotics, or semiconductor analytics
• Proven track record leading complex technology M&A transactions end-to-end
• Strong financial modeling skills including capital equipment economics and service annuity models
• Experience navigating regulatory reviews (CFIUS, export controls, dual-use tech implications)

 

Leadership / Behavioral

• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence CFO, CPO, and BU leadership
• Skilled at bridging engineering, product, operations, and finance perspectives
• Ability to distill complex technical assessments into strategic business decisions
• Comfortable leading in highly technical and global environments
• Experience managing sensitive IP-heavy deals with confidentiality

 

Education

• Master’s or PhD degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Materials, or similar) strongly preferred
• MBA or advanced technical degree beneficial but not required