Front-End Processing Manager

About the role

HRL Laboratories, an IBM company, pioneers the next frontiers of physical and information science. Delivering transformative technologies in automotive, aerospace and defense, HRL advances the critical missions of its customers to help them remove limitations and create competitive advantage. HRL then transitions the work back to customers - ready for real-world application.

For more than 70 years, HRL’s rich portfolio of scientific discoveries and engineering innovations continues to build on each other - often in unexpected, profound and far-reaching ways. As a private company owned by IBM, HRL prioritizes purpose over profit, significantly advancing the state of the art.

HRL Laboratories pioneers world-class infrared sensor systems for aerospace and defense, enhancing national capabilities through innovative solutions. We collaborate closely with our customers to transform emerging needs into high-performance outcomes. Our business model leverages our focus on advanced research and product delivery, ensuring customer satisfaction and mission success.

This position reports directly to the Director of Manufacturing and will oversee front-end manufacturing operations, coordinate internal stakeholders and external foundry partners, and ensure production efficiency, quality, and continuous improvement. We operate a hybrid model combining strong internal manufacturing and engineering capabilities with trusted external partners, enabling both agility and scale. Success will be measured by operational reliability, strong partner coordination, and achievement of quality, yield, capacity, cost, and delivery targets.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage internal front-end facility planning, staffing, equipment, process control, and improvement
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders and external foundry partners on schedules, requirements, and deliverables
• Monitor KPIs across safety, quality, yield, cycle time, cost, and delivery
• Drive root-cause analysis and corrective actions for production issues
• Oversee mask design process including lifecycle management, cross-functional inputs, accuracy checks, schedule alignment, supplier performance, and documentation control
• Sustain both R&D and production activities, ensuring smooth transition between development and manufacturing phases
• Balance metrology requirements with production schedule and cost constraints, ensuring measurement rigor without jeopardizing throughput or delivery commitments
• Own and maintain internal production travelers and work instructions, ensuring accuracy, version control, and proper approvals
• Develop, define, and manage specifications and Statements of Work (SOWs) for external foundry and fabrication partners, ensuring alignment with technical requirements, quality expectations, and delivery schedules

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field (advanced degree preferred)
• Experience managing semiconductor or advanced manufacturing front-end operations
• Strong understanding of process control, production planning, yield improvement, and quality systems
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage external partners

Special Requirements

• US Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government security clearance

Pay Range: $140,700 - $175,950

Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location (California). The range displayed on each job posting reflects the target range for new hire salaries for the position. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process.

Benefits

HRL offers a generous and very competitive total compensation and benefits package. Our Regular/Full Time benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401K match, gym facilities, PTO, Sick time, upward mobility, and an exciting and challenging work environment.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At HRL, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.