Role Description
The Director of Equipment Development at Akash Systems will lead the development, optimization, maintenance, and installation of specialized manufacturing equipment that enables the company's diamond-cooled server technology.
This role will work with other company leaders to ensure that all equipment systems—including CVD diamond reactors, semiconductor process equipment, and laser systems —are designed, built, qualified, and maintained to the highest standards of reliability and performance.
Key responsibilities include working with process development teams to translate process specifications into robust equipment designs, leading equipment engineering and technician teams to design and build new manufacturing systems, overseeing equipment commissioning and performance qualification, and ensuring equipment meets demanding electrical, thermal, mechanical, reliability, and production requirements.
The Director will also lead new equipment qualification both at Akash Systems facilities and potentially at partner or customer sites, ensuring seamless integration into manufacturing workflows.
The successful candidate will combine deep technical expertise in equipment design and manufacturing processes with excellent project management and leadership skills.
This role requires a strong multi-disciplinary understanding of advanced manufacturing equipment, materials processing technologies, thermal management systems, process control and automation, and equipment reliability and performance testing. The ideal candidate has significant hands-on experience designing and building complex manufacturing equipment and can thrive in a fast-paced startup or growth-company environment where equipment development directly impacts product quality and production yield.
Beyond technical leadership, the Director of Equipment Development will collaborate closely with colleagues to ensure process innovations are efficiently translated into reliable, scalable manufacturing equipment. This role requires excellent communication skills, demonstrated ability to lead and mentor engineering and technician teams, and a commitment to technical excellence and operational reliability. The successful candidate will balance strategic equipment development initiatives with hands-on problem-solving and will effectively communicate equipment status, technical challenges, and mitigation plans to executive leadership and cross-functional teams.
This is a full-time, on-site role located in Emeryville and Oakland, CA.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, Physics or closely related field; Master’s degree preferred.
- 5 years minimum relevant industry experience after completion of degree.
- Deep understanding of manufacturing process equipment design, operation, and maintenance, including equipment for CVD diamond synthesis, semiconductor processing (etch and deposition of metals and dielectrics), and laser systems.
- Extensive hands-on experience developing, designing, and commissioning advanced manufacturing equipment systems in semiconductor, materials, or related industries.
- Strong background in equipment process development and optimization, including Design of Experiments (DOE) applied to equipment parameters and performance.
- Hands-on experience building, assembling, testing, and troubleshooting complex laboratory or production equipment in deep tech manufacturing environments.
- Deep expertise in equipment reliability, failure analysis, and preventive maintenance strategies for mission-critical systems.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor multidisciplinary engineering and technician teams in equipment development and installation.
- Proven experience managing multiple equipment development and integration projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong project management and technical communication skills, with ability to coordinate across process development, manufacturing, and operations teams.
Work Authorization
Akash Systems does not sponsor or take over sponsorship for employment visas for this role (e.g., H‑1B, O‑1, TN, F‑1/OPT, etc.). Eligible candidates are U.S. citizens or U.S. lawful permanent residents (Green Card Holders).
