Cleanroom & NPW (Non-Production wafer) Engineer

ABOUT THE COMPANY:

Tata Electronics Private Limited (TEPL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons, is a greenfield initiative focused on building India’s first AI-enabled, state-of-the-art semiconductor foundry . The facility will manufacture advanced semiconductor devices including power management ICs, display driver ICs, MCUs, and high-performance logic—addressing the rising global demand across automotive, computing, wireless communication, data storage, and AI markets.

As part of the Tata Group—a global enterprise operating in 100+ countries across six continents—TEPL is driven by the Tata mission:

“To improve the quality of life of the communities we serve globally, through long-term stakeholder value creation based on leadership with trust.”

The Dholera facility offers a unique opportunity to build India’s semiconductor future.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Cleanroom management and Non-Production Wafers (NPW) engineering team in the semiconductor foundry is responsible for cleanroom related logistics, gowning, logistics and planning & execution of NPWs.

The team is responsible for optimizing the flow of materials, equipment, and information to ensure efficient production and supply chain operations including wafer starts plan execution.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• This job requires you to work in 12-hour shift system with rotation Day/Night pattern.
• Train operators, technicians, and visitors on proper gowning techniques and cleanroom behavior.
• Conduct regular audits and inspections to ensure adherence to gowning protocols.
• Forecast material requirements based on production schedules and demand fluctuations for cleanroom logistics and Non-Productive Wafers (NPW)
• Manage inventory levels of critical components like wafers, chemicals, and packaging materials to avoid shortages or overstock.
• Track and maintain NPW inventory across the fab, including monitor, test, and dummy wafers.
• Monitor wafer aging and usage limits to ensure reliability and compliance with fab standards.
• Coordinate NPW usage for tool qualifications, preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Ensure timely availability of NPWs for scheduled tool runs and engineering requests.
• Align logistics operations with fab (fabrication plant) schedules to prevent production delays.
• Monitor and optimize material flow between cleanrooms, warehouses, and assembly lines.
• Support just-in-time (JIT) delivery systems to reduce waste and improve efficiency
• Use business intelligence tools to analyze logistics performance metrics, find bottlenecks.
• Develop KPIs and dashboards for real-time monitoring of logistics metrics, including delivery accuracy, lead times, and cost efficiency.
• Design automated logistics systems including conveyor networks, robotic handling, and warehouse management systems.
• Integrate logistics software with ERP and MES systems for seamless data exchange.
• Conduct simulations and modeling to test logistics scenarios and improve throughput.
• Work with facilities and EHS teams to align gowning protocols with safety and environmental standards.
• Support process and equipment engineers by minimizing contamination risks during tool maintenance or experiments.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in one of the following fields is typically required:

> Industrial Engineering

> Logistics or Supply Chain Management

> Systems Engineering

> Mechanical or Electrical Engineering (with logistics experience)

• A master’s degree is a plus, especially for roles involving strategic planning or leadership.

ESSENTIAL ATTRIBUTES:

• Ability to work cross-functionally with planning, production, procurement, and engineering teams
• Understanding of fab operations, cleanroom protocols, and wafer/tool handling
• Experience with high-mix, high-volume production environments
• Familiarity with MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems), ERP (e.g., SAP), and WMS (Warehouse Management Systems)
• Understanding of factory automation and integration systems
• Proficiency in Excel, SQL, and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
• Strong documentation and presentation skills
• APICS CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management)
• Six Sigma Green/Black Belt
• Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, or Kaizen methodologies
• Experience in logistics cost reduction, throughput improvement, or layout optimization