Executive Director

NextFlex, America’s Flexible Hybrid Electronics (FHE) Manufacturing Innovation Institute, is a public-private partnership charged with the mission of advancing U.S. global leadership in this exciting new additive approach of manufacturing electronic devices, modules, and systems. NextFlex develops innovative designs, materials, manufacturing, and testing technologies and shares the results with Institute members and the U.S. Government. Our work advances the next generation of electronics and electronics packaging for multiple markets including communications, asset monitoring, transportation, and medical, to name a few. These devices have applications in situation awareness, AR/VR, and autonomous vehicles, etc. for both commercial and military markets. 

NextFlex’s core activity is a competitive R&D program with academic, industry and U.S. Government investment. Prototype development and manufacturing is performed at the NextFlex HQ site utilizing the world’s first end-to-end FHE pilot line. Complementing NextFlex’s focus on developing and commercializing emerging technologies is a comprehensive STEM and Education & Workforce Development Program (EWD). We create and operate a portfolio of learning programs for technology company employers, higher education institutions, non-profits, and K-12 entities. The primary EWD goals are attracting, growing, and training the future manufacturing workforce while up-skilling and retraining the existing workforce.

NextFlex, based in San Jose, California, offers a competitive compensation package, excellent benefits, and a collaborative work environment.

POSITION SUMMARY

NextFlex’s Executive Director will lead a premier U.S. Manufacturing Institute, successfully demonstrating superb managerial, financial, and operational skills. The position regularly interacts with electronics industry executives, leading academic researchers, senior leadership from the Department of Defense, and other key stakeholders.

With a team of 50+ professionals and engineers, the Executive Director is responsible for creating the Institute’s business and financial plans, driving the strategy of the R&D & Manufacturing Services component, and advancing the 501(c)(3) NextFlex Learning Program. The overarching goal is to leverage NextFlex’s assets to help build a U.S. FHE manufacturing ecosystem. 

FlexTech Alliance is the parent organization of NextFlex. Consequently, the Executive Director reports to the FlexTech Alliance President/CEO and to NextFlex’s Governing Council. The R&D and prototype manufacturing activities are closely coordinated with the U.S. Government Program Manager and U.S. Government CTO for successful program execution.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate is a seasoned industry or academic executive with the experience and vision to lead one of only 17 Manufacturing Institutes in the U.S. Combining executive competence with strong technical skills, the Executive Director will build a collaborative environment for Industry, Academic, and Federal partners. The candidate will demonstrate prior success in growing a small company or business unit by creating stakeholder value and managing a highly skilled team. The new Executive Director should possess a track record of innovation in cutting-edge technologies with experience in advanced packaging/FHE/heterogeneous integration preferred. The candidate will have substantial experience in R&D and/or manufacturing in the semiconductor, advanced packaging or related industry. Direct experience or enthusiasm for a nimble start-up environment is required. Lastly, the ideal candidate will be passionate about strengthening U.S. electronics manufacturing as articulated in the CHIPS for America Program.