Head of Quality and Industrialization - 100%
Lightium AGLightium AG, a Schlieren-based company building next-generation photonic integrated circuits with thin-film lithium niobate, is searching for a Head of Quality and Industrialization to shepherd technology from development into a certified, dual-sourced production platform. The role is onsite in Schlieren and full-time, aimed at someone who enjoys turning cutting-edge ideas into robust manufacturing capabilities.
The company is aiming to establish its first formal quality management system and pursue ISO 9001 certification by the end of 2027. You’ll orchestrate the industrialization of Lightium’s TFLN processes, qualify a 200 mm production line, and oversee a network of external fabs, foundries, and back-end subcontractors. The work spans multiple markets, from data centers and telecom to space and defense, as Lightium scales from pilot runs to steady, dependable production.
If you’re a senior leader who can roll up your sleeves to build a quality function in a fast-moving startup and thrive on turning strategy into hands-on results, this opportunity should resonate with you.
From lab to production floor: day-to-day at Lightium
You’ll design and implement Lightium’s first quality management system, establishing the strategy, the process architecture, and the documentation framework that keeps everything auditable. You’ll own the internal and external audit programs, lead the management review cycle, and drive the corrective and preventive action loop with data-driven follow-through.
Your focus will be industrializing the TFLN photonic processes, from early development through repeatable production, through NPI, process qualification, transfer packages, and clear production readiness gates. You’ll also direct the qualification of the 200 mm line, coordinating process changes across internal teams and partner sites to keep momentum on schedule.
Managing a network of foundries and subcontractors will be a core part of the job. You’ll set up quality agreements and specifications, maintain supplier scorecards, handle PCNs, and push continuous improvement plans across front-end, wafer-level packaging, assembly, and test partners.
Data and measurement will guide every decision. You’ll lead the test and quality control strategy, perform wafer- and die-level yield analysis, identify defect signatures, and map out improvement roadmaps with engineering. SPC, process capability studies, MSA/GR&R, and robust measurement-driven KPIs will steer actions across the line.
Reliability and product qualification will define how Lightium’s PICs perform in the field. You’ll craft the reliability strategy and execute accelerated life and environmental testing, manage qualification reports, and close the loop from failure analysis back into design and process improvements. You’ll also own the end-to-end release process for products and the handling of returns and customer issues, coordinating with engineering, production, and suppliers.
The core qualifications
To be considered, you should meet these core requirements and capabilities.
At least ten years of leadership experience in quality and industrialization within the semiconductor sector, with a track record of moving processes from development to qualified high-yield volume production and coordinating external fabs and back-end partners, ideally in photonics, compound semiconductors, MEMS, or other wafer-based tech.
Proven ability to design and implement a quality management system from scratch and drive toward ISO 9001 certification.
Deep expertise across NPI and technology transfer, process qualification, FMEAs, control plans, change control, SPC, Cpk/Ppk, MSA/GR&R, yield analysis, and supplier quality management, with experience in internal and supplier audits.
Experience with reliability and product qualification to Telcordia GR-468-CORE, JEDEC, and MIL-STD methods, including accelerated life testing and failure analysis, with a track record of closing these insights into design and process improvements.
Proven ability to manage foundry and subcontractor ecosystems, quality agreements, PCN handling, scorecards, and CAPA, and to integrate Lightium’s requirements into partner systems.
Strong customer-facing experience and RMA handling, plus familiarity with PLM, ERP, and MES environments and how to embed traceability and documentation within them.
Fluency in English; knowledge of German, French or Chinese is a plus.
Nice-to-haves that help you stand out
Advanced degree (MSc/PhD) and/or formal quality qualifications such as ISO 9001 Lead Auditor or Six Sigma Black Belt.
Experience building a quality and industrialization function in a startup or scale-up setting.
Exposure to telecom, datacenter, space, or defense quality requirements beyond standard commercial contexts.
What you’ll get in return
Lightium offers a unique chance to shape the quality and industrialization spine of a company creating advanced photonic ICs for next-generation AI data centers. The compensation and benefits package is competitive and includes an employee stock option plan (ESOP). The company supports ongoing learning through courses, certifications, conferences, and trade shows, helping you grow quickly as the team moves from pilot to volume production. The role is onsite in Schlieren, Switzerland, and Lightium is committed to an inclusive workplace and equal opportunity for all employees.
Tips to make your case for the role
Start your resume with a concise section that foregrounds your leadership of quality and industrialization in wafer-based tech, and spotlight measurable results like moving processes to high-yield production and driving ISO readiness.
When you describe your experience, foreground tangible skills tied to the must-have list, NPI and technology transfer, FMEA, control plans, SPC, MSA/GR&R, and supplier management, with concrete metrics from past programs to demonstrate impact.
Be ready in interviews to walk through a real example of managing a multi-vendor qualification program, including how you balanced startup speed with disciplined process control, and how you interacted with auditors and customers to secure approvals.
Ask a precise question about Lightium’s dual-sourcing strategy for the TFLN platform, such as which fabs are involved, how qualification timelines are aligned with product roadmaps, and how Telcordia and other qualification frameworks will be integrated into partner workflows.