Operations Program Manager (Spector)

About VeecoYou probably don’t realize it, but what we do at Veeco touches the lives of every person, every day. It’s a bold statement, but it’s true. From the smartphones in our pockets that access the world’s collective knowledge, to the cloud-based services where all that information lives, to high-speed wireless communication and computing power needed to drive artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, gaming and so much more, our technology is all around us. We design, develop, manufacture, and service highly complex, cutting-edge machines used by our customers to create the essential devices that drive the digital age, connect the world, and improve the human experience. Along with the world’s leading technology companies, many of which are household names, we help solve their most difficult material science challenges, enabling technologies for a more connected, sustainable, and convenient world. We’re looking for material difference-makers to join our growing team. Interested? Learn more at .Overview:Veeco just booked more than $250 million in orders for its Spector Ion Beam Deposition systems — equipment that deposits the ultra-precise optical coatings enabling indium phosphide lasers at the heart of every next-generation AI datacenter. Deliveries start this year and ramp hard into 2027, which means the operations machine that builds, tests, and ships these systems needs to scale just as fast. As Senior Operations Program Manager, you will own the end-to-end execution of this production ramp: coordinating engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams to deliver complex vacuum-based deposition systems on schedule, on budget, and at the quality levels Veeco's customers expect. Your decisions on sequencing, risk mitigation, and resource allocation will directly determine whether Veeco captures one of the largest growth opportunities in the semiconductor equipment industry. This is a high-visibility role with a direct line to executive leadership and a clear path toward operations director-level responsibilities.Responsibilities: Drive the full production ramp for Spector IBD (Ion Beam Deposition) and Lumina MOCVD (Metal-Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition) systems — own the integrated program plan covering schedule, cost, quality, and risk across every sales order in the ramp portfolio.Build and maintain a risk management framework that identifies schedule, supply, quality, and design risks early, assigns owners, and tracks mitigation actions to closure — so problems are solved before they reach the production floor.Establish early-stage testing and assembly sequences ("shift-left" strategies) that move component validation and sub-assembly bench testing upstream, shortening overall cycle time and creating a steady flow of verified assemblies into the main production line.Align engineering, supply chain, and supplier quality teams to ensure every incoming component meets defined performance and quality specifications — and that decisions on obsolescence, design changes, or specification deviations happen preemptively rather than reactively.Own the financial performance of the ramp, including gross margin tracking, capital expenditure planning, and cost control — presenting budget status and trade-off recommendations to executive leadership on a regular cadence.Coordinate with production managers and contract manufacturing partners on all ramp readiness requirements: cleanroom capacity, utilities, tooling, staffing plans, training, and standard operating procedures.Serve as the single point of accountability for ramp execution, delivering regular status updates to executive management and traveling to contract manufacturer and supplier sites (up to approximately 30% of the time) to resolve issues firsthand.Qualifications:Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related engineering discipline is required. An advanced degree (Master's or MBA) is a plus. 10 or more years of experience managing complex, cross-functional programs in semiconductor equipment, aerospace, defense, or a comparable high-precision manufacturing environment is preferred. Hands-on working proficiency with an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system such as SAP for production planning, materials management, or order tracking is required.Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:Deep familiarity with lean manufacturing principles — including takt time (the rate at which finished products need to be completed to meet demand), value stream mapping, line balancing, and flow optimization — applied to complex electromechanical system builds.Demonstrated experience managing programs that require coordination across engineering, quality, supply chain, production, field service, and finance functions.Demonstrated ability to assess, quantify, and manage operational risk across design, supply chain, and quality dimensions, with a track record of preemptive problem resolution rather than firefighting.Skilled at translating complex program data — schedules, cost forecasts, risk registers — into clear executive-level summaries that drive timely decisions.Experience planning and executing production ramps for large-scale capital equipment or systems that include mechanical, electrical, vacuum, and software subsystems.Proficiency with project planning and reporting tools, including Microsoft Project, Excel, and PowerPoint.Comfortable working across organizational boundaries — you build trust with engineering leaders, supply chain managers, contract manufacturers, and field service teams equally well.Ability to navigate shifting priorities across multiple concurrent programs without losing focus on the critical path for each.Salary and BenefitsThe expected salary range for this position is $130,000-$170,000, plus a bonus opportunity. We will consider your location, experience, and other job-related factors when determining your pay. If your salary requirements exceed the advertised range and you remain interested in Veeco, we encourage you to apply or email your resume to View email address on click.appcast.io benefits include:Medical, Dental, and VisionEmployee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)401(k) with Company MatchHoliday, Vacation, and Sick TimeFlexible Spending Accounts (FSA)Commuter Benefits Life and Accident InsuranceDisability InsuranceTuition ReimbursementEmployee Assistance Program (EAP)Identity Theft RemediationEmergency Travel AssistanceVeeco is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected characteristics. Veeco is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.Notice to Applicants:All communication about open positions and hiring will come from someone with a @veeco.com email address. You will always have multiple interviews and meet several team members (in-person or virtually) before we present an offer. We may also check references or conduct a background investigation as part of the offer process. We will never ask you for money for any reason, especially to send equipment or for pre-employment training. If you have any questions or concerns, or if someone has reached out to you and you think it might be a scam, please get in touch with us at View email address on click.appcast.io.