Subcritical Systems, Inc. is a venture-backed startup in Austin, Texas building the accelerator driven systems and the only US commercial manufacturer of accelerator cavities. What Space X did for rockets, we plan to do for accelerator cavities and commercialize across applications of power production, medical isotopes, semiconductors and waste transmutation.
We are in the process of building the Energy Amplifier - a novel nuclear fission system in which a particle accelerator drives a subcritical core, making melt physically impossible for clean power production. Due to its inherent safety, our system has a more streamlined licensing process. Our founding team includes successful entrepreneurs with a track record of building several multibillion dollar companies in deep-tech, and scientists who were leading U.S. national labs with deep experience in accelerator & nuclear technologies.
We are actively hiring to expand our team as we work toward licensing, regulatory submissions, and construction of our first energy amplifier. More information is available at subcritical.com.
ROLE SUMMARY:
This role leads SSI's growth in the semiconductor industry. The Director/Head of Semiconductor Development will engage current and prospective customers, build SSI's go-to-market strategy for its SRF cavity and accelerator technology, and shape product direction to support the deployment of free-electron-laser based EUV lithography systems and related supporting technologies.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Develop and manage relationships with current and prospective customers across semiconductor manufacturing, capital equipment, and lithography OEMs
Define and execute SSI's commercial strategy for entering and scaling within the semiconductor lithography market
Track technology and competitive trends across EUV source approaches (free-electron-based systems, laser-produced plasma, and discharge-produced plasma) and translate them into strategic direction
Convert customer and market requirements into product and technology roadmap input for SSI's engineering team
Represent SSI at industry conferences, technical reviews, and customer site visits
Structure and negotiate commercial terms for capital equipment sales, technology licensing, or partnership agreements
Build and lead the commercial function for this business line as it scales, including future hires
Brief SSI leadership and investors on semiconductor market traction and strategic progress
QUALIFICATIONS:
RequiredBS or MS in Electrical, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Materials, Optical, Chemical, Aerospace, or a related engineering discipline
10+ years of leadership experience in the semiconductor industry, in semiconductor manufacturing or tool development
Demonstrated track record managing complex, long-cycle capital equipment sales or partnerships
Strong technical fluency: able to engage credibly with process engineers, device engineers, and technology executives
Excellent communication skills and executive presence; comfortable representing SSI to senior leadership at major fabs and OEMs
Comfortable operating in a startup, fast-growth environment with evolving scope
PreferredDirect experience with EUV source technology, deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography systems, semiconductor capital equipment, or advanced semiconductor manufacturing
Familiarity with free-electron-based EUV source technology, laser-produced plasma systems, or superconducting RF systems
Existing relationships within leading semiconductor manufacturers (logic or memory fabs) and lithography OEMs
Understanding of total cost of ownership drivers for EUV lithography: source power, uptime, cost per wafer
MBA or equivalent business background
BENEFITS:
We offer health, dental, and vision insurance.
LOCATION & WORK POLICYThis role is fully in person in Austin, Texas. Our facility is located next to Austin Airport.
