Role Overview for VP of Semiconductor Engineering – Santa Clara, CA
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a trailblazing leader in the technology sector, a company renowned for its groundbreaking innovations and commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, our client is at the forefront of developing next-generation semiconductor solutions that power the future of computing, artificial intelligence, and connected devices. We are currently seeking a visionary and highly accomplished VP of Semiconductor Engineering to join their executive leadership team in Santa Clara, CA. This is a career-defining opportunity for a strategic leader to shape the technological direction and engineering culture of a dynamic, high-growth organization.
The VP of Semiconductor Engineering is a pivotal role, responsible for the end-to-end development of all semiconductor products, from initial concept and architecture through to tape-out, validation, and high-volume manufacturing. You will lead a large, multi-disciplinary organization of world-class engineers, fostering a culture of innovation, excellence, and collaboration. The ideal candidate will possess a rare blend of deep technical expertise in semiconductor design and process technology, proven executive leadership skills, and a strategic mindset capable of aligning engineering execution with overarching business objectives. You will be the driving force behind our client’s technical roadmap, ensuring they remain a dominant force in a highly competitive market. This role requires not just managing a team, but inspiring a movement, setting a vision that galvanizes engineers to solve the industry’s most complex challenges and deliver products that redefine performance, power, and efficiency.
As a key member of the executive team, you will report directly to the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and work closely with leaders across product management, marketing, sales, and operations. Your influence will extend beyond the engineering department, as you contribute to corporate strategy, long-range planning, and critical business decisions. We are looking for a leader who is not afraid to challenge the status quo, who thrives in a fast-paced environment, and who has a demonstrated track record of building and scaling high-performance engineering teams that consistently deliver complex silicon products on time and within budget. If you are a passionate, results-oriented leader with a deep understanding of the semiconductor landscape and a desire to make a significant impact, we encourage you to apply for this transformative role.
Key Responsibilities of VP of Semiconductor Engineering – Santa Clara, CA
Strategic Leadership & Technical Vision
Define and articulate the company’s long-term semiconductor technology vision and strategy. Drive the technical roadmap for all silicon products, ensuring alignment with market trends, customer needs, and corporate goals. Champion innovation and foster a culture of forward-thinking research and development.
Organizational Leadership & Talent Development
Lead, mentor, and scale a world-class, multi-site semiconductor engineering organization encompassing architecture, digital design, analog/mixed-signal design, verification, physical design, design-for-test (DFT), and post-silicon validation. Attract, develop, and retain top-tier engineering talent. Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance culture.
Flawless Execution & Program Management
Oversee the entire silicon development lifecycle, from architectural definition to mass production. Implement and refine best-in-class design and development methodologies to ensure predictable execution, high-quality results, and on-time delivery of complex SoCs. Drive operational excellence and continuous improvement across all engineering functions.
Technology & Innovation Roadmap
Stay abreast of emerging technologies, industry standards, and competitive landscapes. Partner with the CTO and product management to define next-generation product architectures and features. Drive research into novel design techniques, advanced process nodes, and innovative IP to secure a long-term competitive advantage.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Serve as the primary engineering partner to product management, marketing, sales, and operations teams. Ensure tight alignment and seamless communication throughout the product lifecycle. Collaborate with operations and supply chain teams to manage foundry relationships, packaging solutions, and manufacturing yield optimization.
Budgetary & Financial Oversight
Develop and manage the semiconductor engineering department’s annual operating budget, including headcount, EDA tool licensing, IP procurement, and NRE (Non-Recurring Engineering) expenses. Ensure fiscal responsibility and optimize resource allocation for maximum return on investment.
Quality, Reliability, and Security
Instill a “quality-first” mindset throughout the organization. Establish and enforce rigorous standards for design, verification, and validation to deliver robust, reliable, and secure silicon products that meet or exceed customer expectations and industry standards for excellence.
Executive Communication & Representation
Effectively communicate complex technical concepts, program status, and strategic initiatives to the executive team, board of directors, and key stakeholders. Represent the company’s engineering prowess to customers, partners, and at industry forums.
Requirements for the VP of Semiconductor Engineering – Santa Clara, CA
The ideal candidate will be a seasoned executive with a profound understanding of the semiconductor industry and a proven history of leading successful product development teams. We seek an individual who combines technical depth with strategic business acumen and inspirational leadership.
Educational Background
A Master’s degree (M.S.) or Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related technical field is required. An MBA is a plus but not mandatory.
Executive Leadership Experience
A minimum of 15-20 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, with at least 8-10 years in a senior leadership role (e.g., Director, Senior Director, or VP) managing large, geographically distributed engineering teams (100+ engineers).
Deep Technical Expertise
Comprehensive, hands-on knowledge across the entire silicon development flow. This includes:
- Expertise in designing and delivering complex, high-performance, and power-efficient cutting-edge semiconductor design for advanced System-on-a-Chip (SoC) architectures.
- In-depth understanding of digital and analog/mixed-signal design, RTL, verification methodologies (UVM), synthesis, static timing analysis (STA), and physical design (place and route).
- Familiarity with advanced process technologies (e.g., 7nm, 5nm, 3nm) and their associated design challenges.
- Experience with CPU, GPU, or AI/ML accelerator design is highly desirable.
- Strong knowledge of post-silicon validation, characterization, and bring-up processes.
Proven Track Record of Delivery
Demonstrated success in leading multiple complex silicon projects from concept to high-volume production. A history of meeting aggressive schedules, budgets, and performance targets without compromising quality.
Strategic & Business Acumen
Ability to think strategically and translate business requirements into a coherent technical roadmap. Experience with long-range planning, competitive analysis, and technology investment strategy. Strong financial literacy, with experience managing multi-million dollar budgets.
Exceptional Leadership & Communication Skills
An inspirational leader with the ability to build, motivate, and mentor high-performing teams. Proven ability to foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and teamwork. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences, including C-level executives and customers.
Location
The candidate must be based in or willing to relocate to the Santa Clara, CA area. This is an on-site leadership role critical to the company’s culture and operational cadence.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client believes in investing in their most valuable asset: their people. They offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support the well-being and professional growth of their employees and their families. As a VP-level executive, you can expect a package that includes:
Competitive Executive Compensation
A highly competitive base salary, an aggressive annual performance-based bonus, and a significant equity package (RSUs/stock options) to ensure you share in the company’s success.
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
Premium medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your dependents with minimal employee contribution. Access to mental health resources, wellness programs, and a generous health savings account (HSA) with company contributions.
Financial Future
A robust 401(k) retirement plan with a generous company match. Access to financial planning services and resources to help you achieve your long-term financial goals.
Work-Life Balance
A flexible and generous paid time off (PTO) policy, including vacation, sick leave, and company-paid holidays. Paid parental leave to support growing families.
Professional Development
A dedicated budget for continuous learning, including executive coaching, attending industry conferences, and pursuing further education or certifications. Opportunities for mentorship and career advancement within a rapidly growing organization.
On-Site Amenities & Perks
State-of-the-art office facilities in Santa Clara, catered lunches, a fully stocked kitchen with snacks and beverages, an on-site fitness center, and regular company-sponsored social events to foster a strong sense of community.
Relocation Assistance
A comprehensive relocation package is available for qualified candidates moving to the Santa Clara area.
How to Apply
This is an exclusive search conducted by JRG Partners. If you are a transformative engineering leader with the experience and passion to drive the future of semiconductor technology, we invite you to apply for this exceptional opportunity. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
To express your interest, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your qualifications and leadership philosophy. Our dedicated recruitment team will review all applications with the utmost confidentiality. To learn more about our expertise in this domain, please visit our Semiconductor Executive Search Firm practice area. We look forward to connecting with you and exploring how you can make a lasting impact with our prestigious client.
