Sr. Director, AI Engineering (Semi/Chemical) - GC878706

Location: Hsinchu, Taiwan / Singapore / U.S. Flexible

Industry: Advanced Materials, Semiconductor Process Solutions & High-Tech Manufacturing

Executive Summary

We are seeking an exceptional executive leader to establish and scale a global Digital Design & Material Innovation Center. This strategic role will define the overarching vision, operating model, and roadmap for physics-based, data-driven, molecular, and hybrid AI/physics modeling capabilities enterprise-wide.

Reporting at the global executive level, you will bridge cutting-edge computational science with real-world R&D and manufacturing. You will lead a multidisciplinary team across global R&D hubs, partner closely with C-level digital and technology executives, and embed computational modeling, digital twins, and simulation-driven insights into critical product development and business decisions.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Enterprise Roadmap:

• Define and execute the global strategy, governance, and operating model for the Digital Design & Material Innovation Center, directly aligning computational science with executive technology priorities, product roadmaps, and commercial outcomes.

Global Team Building & Capability Scaling:

• Build and mentor a high-performing global team of FEM/CFD modeling engineers, atomistic/molecular modeling scientists, AI/ML engineers, and digital scientists distributed across primary hubs in Taiwan, Singapore, India, South Korea, and the U.S.

Standardization & Architecture Governance:

• Establish enterprise-wide standards for modeling, simulation, and validation practices, including reference architectures, reusable model libraries, and robust simulation data management frameworks.

Portfolio & Investment Management:

• Drive executive decision-making regarding compute infrastructure, cloud/HPC platforms, IP protection, and data platforms. Prioritize high-impact R&D modeling initiatives based on technical risk reduction, ROI, and reduction of innovation cycle times.

Cross-Functional C-Suite Strategic Alignment:

• Partner shoulder-to-shoulder with Digital & Information Technology leadership (CIDO/CIO) to ensure machine learning, core modeling tech stacks, and cloud compute frameworks are enterprise-ready, secure, and scalable under standardized SOPs and cybersecurity guidelines.

External Innovation Ecosystem:

• Establish strategic partnerships with leading global universities, research consortia, and industry technology consortia to continually advance internal AI and computational materials capabilities.

Qualifications & Leadership Profile

Education:

• Advanced degree (Ph.D. strongly preferred) in Computational Science, Materials Science, Chemical/Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.

Executive Track Record:

• 15+ years of progressive experience in simulation, computational engineering, or R&D digital transformation, with at least 5 years in a senior executive management role over multidisciplinary technical teams.

Domain Expertise:

• Strong preference for background in Semiconductor Materials, Advanced Process Technologies, Microelectronics, or High-Tech Specialty Chemicals.

Scale & Transformation Experience:

• Proven success scaling computational tools, digital twins, and AI/ML workflows from single-team implementations to an enterprise scale impacting 500–1,000+ R&D engineers and scientists, supported by structured change management.

Deep Technical Breadth:

• Expertise spanning at least two core domains:
• Multiphysics Simulation (CFD, FEM)
• Atomistic & Molecular Modeling (DFT, MD)
• Computational Chemistry & Hybrid AI/Physics frameworks
• Hands-on familiarity with tools such as ANSYS, COMSOL, GeoDict, LAMMPS, and modern AI/ML materials platforms.

Executive Gravitas:

• Exceptional communication skills with a demonstrated ability to translate complex computational strategies into commercial value propositions for C-suite, Executive Leadership Teams, and Board Members.

What the Opportunity Offers

• Global Scope & Enterprise Impact: Direct mandate to shape the future of R&D and materials innovation for an industry-leading global technology supplier.
• Competitive Executive Compensation: Highly attractive base salary, executive bonus structure, and long-term equity/incentive plans.
• Comprehensive Total Rewards: World-class healthcare, robust retirement matching programs, flexible working arrangements, and continuous executive education support.