Global Head of Development, Blanks

HOYA Electronics primary focus is on the development of optical and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) photomask blanks, which are critical components in the manufacturing process of the latest-generation chips used in various applications such as artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and 5G. The company also manufactures a range of photomask blanks used in the production of chips for various applications such as memory, logic, and power devices.

Life at HOYA Electronics

HOYA strives to create innovations for a better future for people.

At HOYA Electronics, we are dedicated to innovation in the information technology segment, envisioning a world where all can thrive in harmony with nature. Our people are guided by our mission along with principles of commitment and innovation, influence every decision and action we take. We prioritize environmental protection, safety, and human rights, fostering diversity, inclusion, and employee well-being.

Be Empowered to Innovate and Develop for a Better Tomorrow with Us

. Experience an empowering and inclusive workplace that fuels your growth and development.

. Unlock your potential with abundant opportunities for skill-building and career advancement.

. Thrive in an environment that supports work-life balance and values your well-being.

. Receive fair and competitive rewards - your success is our success.

. We believe in recognizing excellence and celebrating your contributions.

Get to Know the Role

The Global Head of Development (GHOD), Blanks leads the Development Organisation within the Blanks SBU and is accountable for strengthening execution capability across technology programs, R&D delivery, qualification milestones, technical risk management, and development resource alignment. This role is designed to ensure disciplined delivery of approved technology priorities into manufacturable solutions. The position reports directly to the Head of Blanks SBU and focuses on leading the Development function with a manageable and clearly defined scope. The GHOD partners closely with Technology Strategy, Applications Engineering, Sales, and Commercial to translate market and customer needs into executable development priorities while maintaining clear functional ownership, aligned customer commitments, and disciplined technology delivery.

Essential Responsibilities

• Execute the approved Blanks SBU technology roadmap through the Development function, ensuring R&D programs, resources, qualification milestones, technical risks, and delivery schedules are managed with discipline and transparency.
• Provide leadership and direction to the Development and R&D teams, while partnering closely with Applications Engineering for customer qualification, technical problem-solving, and co-development activities.

• Deliver development programs that support HOYA's position as a leading photomask blanks technology partner, working in coordination with Technology Strategy, Applications Engineering, Sales, and Commercial to ensure technical feasibility, customer expectations, and business commitments are appropriately aligned.

• Align internal R&D investments and workforce capabilities to global technology delivery schedules, qualification milestones, and quality standards, ensuring adherence to the division's technology commitments.

• Apply broad knowledge of wafer lithography fundamentals - including Optical, EUV and High-NA EUV exposure systems, resolution enhancement techniques, OPC/ILT, resist and underlayer interactions, and overlay/CD metrology - to provide full-stack context for blank roadmap decisions and to engage customers as a true technology partner.

• Communicate development roadmap status, technical risks, qualification progress, and delivery constraints to the Head of Blanks SBU and cross-functional stakeholders, ensuring transparent alignment on quality, schedule, specification, and customer commitment implications.

• Build and sustain trusted relationships with adjacent independent functions, including Technology Strategy, Applications Engineering, Sales, Commercial, Operations, and Quality.

• Translate customer and market insights provided by Technology Strategy, Applications Engineering, Sales, and Commercial into executable R&D priorities, technical roadmaps, development plans, and product qualification timelines for Development delivery.

• Inspire and engage a diverse global technical workforce to achieve extraordinary results, fostering a climate of accountability, deep-tech rigor, and collaborative innovation.

• Select, develop, and lead a highly accountable technical organization that drives R&D results and adapts with agility to rapidly evolving technology and competitive environments.

• Represent HOYA LSI Blanks SBU as its primary external technical voice at leading industry forums related to Blanks Technology- ensuring HOYA doesn't just respond to industry standards but actively defines them.

• Support the application of data-driven analytics and process improvement methodologies across LSI Division manufacturing, contributing to quality and yield enhancement for EUV blank production.

Skills and Competencies Profile

• 15+ years of technical leadership in the semiconductor ecosystem, with a deep understanding of Optical, EUV and High-NA EUV lithography, photomask blank technology, and IC mask component development.

• Demonstrated ability to architect and execute technology roadmaps that anticipate the requirements of next-generation nodes - from Optical through High-NA EUV production.

• Comprehensive knowledge of wafer lithography - spanning EUV and High-NA EUV exposure tools, resolution enhancement techniques, OPC/ILT, resist and underlayer interactions, and overlay/CD metrology - enabling full-stack engagement with foundry and memory customers.

• Proven experience across the blank-to-mask value chain: blank specification, multilayer deposition, defect reduction, actinic qualification, and IC mask component integration at advanced nodes.

• Demonstrated ability to align Development with independent partner functions, including Technology Strategy, Applications Engineering, Operations, Sales, and Commercial, around a shared roadmap and disciplined execution cadence.

• Capability to operate effectively within a deliberately scoped development assignment, balancing focused Development ownership with strong cross-functional influence across independent partner functions.

• Track record of building trusted, senior leadership technology relationships with leading foundry and memory customers through bilateral co-development programs and executive-level roadmap alignment.

• Active contributor to industry standards bodies and technical forums including SPIE, EUVL Symposium, Photomask Japan, EMLC, and SEMI - with the credibility to shape next-generation specifications.

• Demonstrated ability to build and direct a capable and committed technical leadership team.

• Proven success in fostering a working climate that enables individuals to contribute to their full potential.

• Strong integrity and a role model for company values, code of conduct, and leadership competencies.

• Potential and readiness to grow into broader enterprise technology leadership, subject to demonstrated performance, judgment, stakeholder leadership, and strategic capability development.

Core Accountabilities

• Development Roadmap Execution: Execute the approved Optical, EUV, High-NA EUV photomask blanks, photoresists, and related technology roadmap through the Development function, ensuring R&D programs deliver against agreed milestones, quality standards, and qualification commitments.

• R&D Program Management: Lead Development and R&D program execution, ensuring milestone achievement, technical risk management, resource alignment, and delivery discipline partner with Applications Engineering for customer qualification and technical interface support without creating a reporting relationship.

• Customer Technology Engagement: Provide senior technical leadership in customer engagements while aligning customer ownership, commercial commitments, and external messaging with Sales, Commercial, and Applications Engineering. The GHOD contributes technical authority, development feasibility input, and execution transparency, while customer relationship ownership and binding commitments remain coordinated across the relevant functions.

• Operational Execution: Ensure operational excellence in R&D and technology program execution, driving continuous improvement in quality, yield, and qualification timelines.

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Build trusted working relationships with Technology Strategy, Applications Engineering, Sales, Commercial, Operations, and Quality, ensuring clear interfaces, aligned priorities, transparent escalation, and disciplined collaboration without extending the role's formal reporting scope beyond Development.

• Technology Strategy Interface: Partner with Technology Strategy as an independent function responsible for long-term technology direction, market and customer insights, competitive intelligence, and technology foresight ensure Development converts the approved strategy into executable programs, technical deliverables, qualification plans, and technology delivery outcomes.

• Talent Development: Shape the organizational culture and foster talent development within the R&D teams through structured Technical Ladder stewardship and a culture of deep-tech excellence.

• Risk Management: Assess and mitigate technology program risks across R&D execution, qualification timelines, and competitive exposure, ensuring alignment with industry standards and HOYA's compliance requirements.

• Innovation: Promote technological advancements in thin-film deposition, optical materials and those processes, photoresists, wafer lithography, and EUV photomask blank development - driving HOYA LSI's long-term competitive advantage.

Foundational Experiences for LSI

• Extensive experience in the semiconductor industry, with a deep understanding of EUV lithography market dynamics and customer technology requirements.

• Strong technical vision and roadmap execution skills, able to translate complex foundry and memory customer signals into actionable R&D priorities.

• Excellent leadership and technical team management capabilities, with experience developing talent through a structured Technical Ladder.

• Superior communication and interpersonal skills, able to represent HOYA LSI's technology position at the executive customer level and at leading industry forums.

• Proven ability to drive R&D results and adapt to rapidly evolving technology and competitive environments.

• Deep technical credibility in thin-film deposition, optical materials, wafer lithography, EUV photomask blank development, and IC mask component technology.

• Strong knowledge of wafer lithography fundamentals and key enabling technologies - including EUV scanner systems, resist chemistry, patterning metrology, and reticle-wafer imaging - supporting authoritative customer co-development and roadmap alignment.