Senior R&D Operations Lead – Industrialization & Technology Transfer (Photonics)

Location: Milan, Italy

Company

hirify.global is a technology company focused on high-speed connectivity and advanced photonic technologies.

What you will do

• Drive DFM, DFA, DFT, and DFX activities throughout product development.
• Translate engineering prototypes into manufacturable product configurations by addressing process capability, tolerances, repeatability, yield, cost, and scalability.
• Design and validate manufacturing, assembly, calibration, testing, tooling, and process qualification activities.
• Define industrialization requirements, readiness criteria, technical documentation, milestones, and acceptance criteria for production transfer.
• Coordinate technical development with semiconductor foundries, photonic packaging partners, contract manufacturers, and other specialized manufacturing partners.
• Run engineering builds, pilot production, process validation, readiness assessments, troubleshooting, root-cause investigations, and corrective actions while establishing the R&D Operations function.

Requirements

• Degree in Engineering, Physics, or another relevant technical discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• 6+ years of significant experience in semiconductor, photonics, electronics, telecommunications equipment, or other advanced-technology manufacturing environments.
• Proven experience in industrialization, manufacturing operations, technology transfer, or related disciplines.
• Experience working with semiconductor foundries, contract manufacturers, or specialized manufacturing partners.
• Strong understanding of product development lifecycles and the transition from engineering prototypes to industrial manufacturing.
• Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional technical projects and coordinate multidisciplinary stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Understanding of manufacturing cost structures, operational planning, and industrial investment decisions.
• Ability to work independently, own deliverables, and contribute hands-on to building new processes and organizational capabilities.
• Familiarity with DFM, DFA, DFT, and DFX methodologies.
• Fluency in English.

Nice to have

• Experience with Photonic Integrated Circuits, wafer fabrication, optical packaging, or advanced assembly and test technologies.
• Experience in manufacturing process characterization, qualification, and production readiness assessments.
• Knowledge of yield analysis, process capability, statistical process control, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience coordinating technology transfers across international manufacturing partners.
• Familiarity with product cost modelling, industrialization business cases, and R&D operational planning.

Culture & Benefits

• Full-time role with a flexible work environment focused on growth, well-being, belonging, and inclusion.
• Initially a hands-on senior individual contributor position with the opportunity to build a new function and define its operating model.
• Opportunity to help transform integrated photonics concepts into scalable manufacturing and high-volume production solutions.
• Potential to take on broader leadership responsibilities as the R&D Operations function matures.
• Equal opportunity environment with respect for diversity and employee accommodation needs.