Director - Vendor & Contracts Management, Design Enablement Gateway

Natcast (short for The National Center for the Advancement of Semiconductor Technology) is a new, purpose-built, non-profit entity created to operate the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) consortium, established by the CHIPS Act of the U.S. government.

Working at Natcast represents an opportunity to help extend America’s leadership in semiconductor technology, significantly reduce the time and cost of moving from idea to commercialization, and build and sustain a semiconductor workforce development ecosystem.

These efforts to advance semiconductor technology and seed new industries built on the capabilities of a wide range of advanced chips hold the potential to benefit the country and the world for generations to come.

In this role you will strategically manage Natcast's semiconductor technology vendor relationships and contracts, optimizing the balance between in-house capabilities and external services while ensuring seamless access to critical design and manufacturing resources. 

Every day you will navigate complex technical and financial negotiations, leveraging deep semiconductor industry knowledge while developing strategic partnerships that advance America's semiconductor capabilities through the Design Enablement Gateway. 

To thrive in this role you must combine technical semiconductor expertise with sophisticated contract management abilities, demonstrating both engineering acumen and strategic business skills while optimizing Natcast's vendor ecosystem. 

Responsibilities: 

• Lead strategic development and management of vendor relationships across the semiconductor design and manufacturing ecosystem 

• Architect comprehensive contract frameworks that balance technical requirements, financial terms, and operational flexibility 

• Develop and implement sophisticated sourcing strategies that optimize the mix of in-house capabilities and outsourced services 

• Create and manage vendor performance metrics ensuring alignment with Natcast's technical and operational requirements 

• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with key semiconductor tool vendors, IP providers, and manufacturing partners 

• Direct contract negotiations for complex technical services, including EDA tools, IP licenses, and manufacturing agreements 

• Implement vendor management systems that track performance, compliance, and relationship health across the supply base 

• Lead cross-functional teams in defining technical requirements and service level agreements for vendor contracts 

• Develop risk management strategies addressing supply chain vulnerabilities and vendor dependencies 

• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for vendor agreements, technical requirements, and performance metrics 

• Guide make-vs-buy analyses for critical technical services and capabilities 

• Oversee vendor onboarding, integration, and ongoing relationship management 

Required Skills and Experience: 

• MS in Electrical Engineering with MBA or equivalent 

• 15+ years combined experience in semiconductor engineering and vendor management 

• Deep understanding of semiconductor design and manufacturing processes 

• Extensive experience negotiating complex technical contracts 

• Strong background in supplier relationship management 

• Demonstrated expertise in semiconductor supply chain operations 

• Experience managing EDA tool contracts and licenses 

• Proven track record in strategic sourcing and procurement 

• Excellence in financial analysis and contract terms 

• Strong project and program management capabilities 

• Demonstrated leadership in cross-functional environments 

• Track record of successful vendor partnership development 

Bonus Points if you have the Following: 

• IP licensing experience 

• Manufacturing services background 

• Legal/contract management expertise 

• Risk management certification 

• International vendor management 

• Public sector contracting experience 

• Supply chain optimization background 

• Change management expertise 

Ready to optimize America's semiconductor vendor ecosystem? Join our mission-driven team and develop the strategic partnerships that will enable next-generation semiconductor innovation. Your unique combination of technical and business expertise will help establish the collaborative frameworks that accelerate U.S. semiconductor capabilities. 

Natcast is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, or any protected attribute. We encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply and join us in our mission. If you require accommodation at any stage of the application process due to a disability, please let us know. 

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