Site Lead

About Inpho

Inpho is a fast-growing Canadian startup, focused on developing cutting-edge optoelectronic solutions for next-generation communications, and photonic systems. Our mission is to lead the world in photonic chips for computing.

Inpho’s new class of opto-electronic chips is poised to revolutionize and disrupt the global optical interconnect market. Utilizing this new class of chips enables existing optical interconnect systems to be built at much lower cost; new architectures to be deployed that provide significantly higher price/performance; and a whole new generation of higher speed interconnect to be built that to date have been impossible.

About the Role

We're looking for a Site Lead to take on a critical leadership role at our backend manufacturing site in Halifax. This person will build the team, stand up the manufacturing lines from the ground up, and then own day-to-day operations once the site is running.

The Site Lead will oversee all daily operations of a small backend semiconductor production site, ensuring manufacturing is safe, efficient, and high quality. This role owns production execution, equipment readiness, staffing, compliance, and cross-functional coordination with corporate engineering, supply chain, and quality teams. We're looking for a decisive leader with deep experience in semiconductor manufacturing environments, someone who can balance hands-on problem solving with long-term operational planning.

This is a leadership opportunity to run a focused, high-impact semiconductor production site — shaping operations, developing teams, and driving the performance of a facility that plays a critical role in delivering advanced technology products.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Lead all production activities across wafer processing, assembly, test, or photonics manufacturing lines.
• Ensure daily output meets quality, yield, and delivery targets.
• Maintain a strong presence on the production floor, supporting operators, technicians, and engineers.

People Management

• Manage and develop a small cross functional team including production operators, equipment technicians, and support staff.
• Oversee staffing, training, performance management, and shift planning.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Equipment & Facility Oversight

• Ensure all production equipment is maintained, calibrated, and operating at peak performance.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance, repairs, and upgrades with equipment engineering teams.
• Oversee facility needs including cleanroom operations, ESD controls, and environmental monitoring.

Production Planning & Coordination

• Work closely with planning, supply chain, and contract manufacturing partners to align production schedules and material availability.
• Support new product introduction (NPI) builds, ensuring smooth integration into site operations.
• Monitor WIP, cycle times, and bottlenecks; implement corrective actions to maintain flow.

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to semiconductor manufacturing standards, cleanroom protocols, and safety regulations.
• Partner with quality engineering to address defects, excursions, and yield issues.
• Maintain accurate documentation, SOPs, and audit readiness.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive operational excellence through lean manufacturing, root cause analysis, and data driven decision making.
• Identify opportunities to improve throughput, reduce downtime, and enhance process stability.
• Lead small scale capital projects or equipment expansions as the site grows.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.
• 7–10+ years of experience in semiconductor, photonics, or electronics manufacturing.
• Proven leadership experience managing production teams or small manufacturing sites.
• Strong understanding of semiconductor equipment, cleanroom operations, and process flows.
• Excellent problem solving skills and ability to make fast, informed decisions.
• Strong communication skills and comfort working with cross functional and executive teams.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

• Experience managing a small or startup scale semiconductor facility.
• Background in equipment engineering, process engineering, or high precision manufacturing.
• Familiarity with ISO standards, SPC, lean manufacturing, and operational KPIs.
• Experience supporting both in house production and contract manufacturing partners.
• Experience working in a startup environment
• Experience working in a high-tech hardware design and manufacturing company

Why Join Inpho?

• Be part of a mission-driven startup shaping the future of photonics.
• Competitive salary, full health benefits and equity packages, flexible work environment, and career growth opportunities.

Come work with a dynamic, high-talent team to build and commercialize the highest performance photonics chips in the world!

Inpho is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive, diverse, and respectful workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities without discrimination based on race, colour, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Inpho Human Resources at [email protected]

We thank all candidates for their interest in Inpho. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.