Principal Research Engineer, Smart Operation and Planning (FAB), IME

Principal Research Engineer, Smart Operation and Planning (FAB), IME

Agency for Science, Technology and Research – Queenstown

The ideal candidate is a visionary leader with a proven track record of driving continuous improvement and implementing smart factory initiatives. This individual will spearhead the transformation of our operations systems, ensuring they are agile, data-driven, and efficient. The role encompasses end-to-end ownership of Industrial Engineering (IE), Operations Planning & Control, Cleanroom layout efficiency, Operations Process Optimization, and Workforce Training & Development.

Key Responsibilities

• Champion the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, including IoT, AI / ML, Data Analytics, AMRs, and Digital Twins.
• Develop and drive a strategic roadmap to digitize and automate manufacturing processes, improving visibility, predictability, and control.
• Oversee the time studies, workload analysis, and capacity modelling using digital tools. Utilize data analytics to identify bottlenecks, reduce waste (using Lean / Six Sigma principles), and improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Lead the design and optimisation of shopfloor layouts for maximum efficiency, flow, and flexibility. Plan and execute tool rearrangements or new line installations / relocation with minimal operations disruption.
• Establish and optimise standard operating procedures (SOPs), standard times, and operations standards.
• Ownership for key performance indicators (KPIs) such as wafer move, DPML, On-Time Delivery, Schedule Attainment.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives (Kaizen) to enhance productivity, quality, safety and operational excellence.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive training curriculum to upskill the workforce for the smart factory environment internally across all departments for fab introduction and externally to support IHLs programs.
• Co‑work and partner with Program teams and APMs to enable wafer moves to meet timeline and develop automation flow to enable faster speed.

Required Qualifications

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