Vice President, Process / Yield Engineering (Chief Yield Officer)

CONFIDENTIAL RETAINED SEARCH | US SEMICONDUCTORS

We are conducting a confidential, retained search for a vice president to lead semiconductor yield engineering at a well-established US semiconductor company. The VP of Process / Yield Engineering will direct process integration and yield-ramp strategy across leading-edge nodes. In addition, this executive will build the organization that supports fab ramp timelines. We seek leaders with 15+ years of process or yield engineering experience at leading-edge nodes.

Search Reference: TNF-SC-YLD-2026 | Yield Leadership Mandate, US Semiconductors

ABOUT THIS SEARCH

Top Notch Finders holds an exclusive, strictly confidential retained search for a VP of Process / Yield Engineering at a well-established organization in the US semiconductor industry. To protect our client and every candidate, we disclose the company’s identity and the location of its operations only to qualified candidates under a confidentiality agreement. In addition, Top Notch Finders receives and manages every inquiry and application directly.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The VP of Process / Yield Engineering, also known as the Chief Yield Officer, directs process integration and yield-ramp strategy across leading-edge nodes. This executive oversees plasma etch, chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition, and related process programs. As a result, the role carries direct responsibility for fab ramp outcomes.

MARKET CONTEXT

New leading-edge fabs entering initial production need immediate yield-ramp leadership. In addition, regional semiconductor hubs report that they need hundreds of additional process, yield, and equipment specialists in 2026 to support a single facility’s ramp. As a result, executives who can build and lead those organizations are exceptionally scarce.

For a deeper look at how we evaluate and hire senior leaders in this industry, read our The 2026 San Diego Semiconductor Executive Search Hiring Guide. It explains our approach to executive search for fab, process, and yield leadership roles.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own yield-ramp strategy and execution for leading-edge process nodes (4nm/5nm and below).
• Lead process integration across etch, deposition, lithography, and metrology teams.
• Diagnose and resolve yield-limiting defects through statistical process control and root-cause analysis.
• Partner with equipment suppliers and materials vendors to optimize process windows.
• Build and scale a process and yield engineering organization to support fab ramp timelines.
• Report yield performance and improvement roadmaps to fab and corporate leadership.
• Mentor and develop process engineering talent pipelines.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• 15+ years of process or yield engineering experience at leading-edge nodes.
• Deep technical credibility in yield-ramp methodologies and defect reduction.
• Experience managing cross-functional engineering teams through fab ramp cycles.
• Global experience with leading-edge fabs in Asia-Pacific manufacturing centers (highly valued).
• An advanced degree in materials science, chemical engineering, or electrical engineering (preferred).

CONFIDENTIALITY AND HOW TO APPLY

This is a discreet, retained engagement. We will never present your candidacy to any organization without your explicit prior authorization. In addition, the hiring company cannot see any application at this stage.

If you lead semiconductor yield engineering and want to be considered, please submit your resume in confidence through the Top Notch Finders website. Reference search code TNF-SC-YLD-2026 in your submission. However, do not include export-controlled technical data or other proprietary information of any kind in your application materials. We will contact only the candidates whose backgrounds align closely with the mandate.