PLC Safety Program Manager

Job description

Step into a career with ASM, where cutting edge technology meets collaborative culture. ​ For over 55 years ASM has been ahead of what’s next, at the forefront of innovation and what’s technologically possible. With more than 4,500 ASMers representing 70 nationalities, our people and our advanced semiconductor devices are playing a crucial role in trends such as 5G, cloud computing, AI, and autonomous driving.  But we’re more than just a tech company. We value diversity, inclusion and sustainability as we strive to make a positive impact on the world.  Our development programs help support your growth, shaping your future and pushing the boundaries of innovation to unleash potential. Position Summary We are seeking a Product Life Cycle (PLC) Safety Program Manager to lead product safety activities throughout the full product lifecycle, from concept and design through development, qualification, production release, and field deployment. In this role, you will ensure semiconductor equipment and new product platforms meet applicable safety requirements, regulatory standards, and internal specifications at every stage of development. You will partner with Engineering, Technical Product Management, Quality, Manufacturing, Facilities, and Service teams to proactively identify safety risks, drive mitigation strategies, and ensure safety-critical issues are resolved before product release and shipment. This position requires a strong technical leader with expertise in product safety, risk assessment, compliance, and cross-functional collaboration. What You'll Do • Own and drive product safety requirements across all Product Life Cycle (PLC) phases. • Serve as the Product Safety representative in concept, design, alpha, beta, and product release/tollgate reviews. • Lead and coordinate product safety risk assessments, including: • Hazard Analysis • Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) • Electrical Safety • Mechanical Safety • Chemical and Gas Safety • Thermal and Fire Hazards • Pressure and Vacuum Systems • Radiation, Laser, and RF Hazards (as applicable) • Ergonomic and Serviceability Assessments • Ensure product designs comply with applicable semiconductor equipment safety standards, customer requirements, and internal specifications. • Drive resolution of safety-related design issues, corrective actions, and risk mitigation plans prior to phase-gate approvals. • Define safety acceptance criteria and establish objective evidence required for product release. • Evaluate engineering changes for potential impacts to product safety and regulatory compliance. • Partner with Design Engineering teams to integrate safety requirements into system architecture, hardware, software, interlocks, and protective controls. • Support third-party testing, certification, and regulatory compliance assessments as required. • Review safety-related incidents and field issues and ensure lessons learned are incorporated into future product designs. • Maintain product safety documentation, risk assessments, test records, compliance evidence, and approval documentation. • Escalate unresolved safety concerns that may impact employee safety, customer safety, product shipment, or phase-gate approval. • Serve as the subject matter expert for product safety across engineering and program teams. Minimum Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Safety Engineering, or a related technical discipline. • 5+ years of experience in product safety, equipment engineering, systems engineering, regulatory compliance, or semiconductor equipment development. • Experience conducting structured hazard analyses and risk assessments. • Working knowledge of risk-management methodologies such as FMEA, Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), hazard analysis, and risk-reduction techniques. • Experience reviewing complex electromechanical systems for safety risks and compliance requirements. • Ability to interpret engineering drawings, schematics, specificati