Central R&D Senior Director Microcontrollers, Digital ICs and RF products Group (MDRF)

At STMicroelectronics, we believe in the power of technology to drive innovation and make a positive impact on people, businesses, and society. As a global semiconductor company, our advanced technologies and chips form the hidden foundation of the world we live in today.

When you join ST, you will be part of a global business with more than 115 nationalities, present in 40 countries, and comprising over 50,000 diverse and dedicated creators and makers of technology around the world.

Developing technologies takes more than talent: it takes amazing people who understand collaboration and respect. People with passion and the desire to disrupt the status quo, drive innovation, and unlock their own potential.

Embark on a journey with us, where you can innovate for a future that we want to make smarter and greener, in a responsible and sustainable way. Our technology starts with you.

YOUR ROLE

Central R&D Senior Director supports the Vice President in leading and coordinating the Central R&D organization. This role helps drive strategic alignment, operational excellence, cross‑functional collaboration, and execution of key R&D initiatives across the organization.

The Senior Director acts as a trusted partner to the Vice President, ensuring continuity of leadership, follow‑up on priorities, and effective communication between R&D teams, senior management, and other business functions.

The Senior Director will translate strategic priorities into clear, measurable objectives and key results and operating metrics, and he/she drives consistent execution across Product development & related R&D functions. This role operates with the authority of the VP Central R&D and works closely with internal Central R&D functional leaders, MDRF General Manager & leaders to align R&D outcomes with MDRF & company priorities, resolve trade‑offs, and ensure delivery against agreed results.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning & Execution
• Translate R&D strategy and leadership priorities into actionable objectives and key results, achievements, and success metrics.
• Partner with the Head of R&D & key technologist leaders to define and operationalise long‑term technology & IPs roadmaps (e.g., nodes, architectures, …).
• Drive execution of strategic initiatives across design, process, and product.
• Collaborate within CRD Operation & PMO group on tracking and report progress on critical R&D milestones (e.g., tape‑outs, yield targets, PPA improvements).
• Monitor progress against strategic objectives and highlight risks, gaps, and opportunities.
• Prepare decision‑making materials for leadership reviews and governance forums.
• Cross‑Functional Alignment
• Act as a central coordination point across R&D, product lines, and corporate functions.
• Ensure tight coordination between central design teams and divisions (internal or external).
• Facilitate decision‑making across MDRF CRD distributed teams.
• Drive collaboration across technical, operational, and business stakeholders.
• Operational Excellence
• Establish and run the operating cadence (quarterly planning, execution reviews, KPI tracking).
• Define and monitor R&D performance indicators, including:
• Development cycle time
• First‑pass success rate
• Cost efficiency
• Improve execution discipline and scalability through process optimisation and best practices.
• Strengthen predictability and delivery reliability across the R&D organization.
• Executive Communication & Governance
• Develop clear, executive‑level narratives and reporting on R&D performance and strategy.
• Prepare board‑level updates, strategy reviews, and leadership materials.
• Ensure alignment on priorities, trade‑offs, and decisions across senior leadership.
• Run governance forums (staff meetings, roadmap reviews, execution reviews).
• Organisational Effectiveness
• Act with continuous improvement approach in planning, delivery management and metric rigor. Help teams improve predictability and outcomes in a performance‑driven environment.
• Support organisational design and workforce planning (skills, hiring, outsourcing).
• Lead strategic initiatives such as R&D site expansions, post‑merger integrations.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and collaboration.
• Leadership Support
• Act as a delegate to the VP of R&D when required.
• Support leadership communications, including town halls and strategic messaging.
• Help steer organisational change and business transformation initiatives.
• Operate with a high degree of autonomy, trust, and confidentiality.

Education & Experience

• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in Electrical Engineering, Semiconductor Physics, or related field.
• 15+ years of experience in semiconductor R&D, engineering leadership, or technology strategy.
• Proven experience in leading complex programmes or operations in a global, matrix organisation.
• Strong understanding of the end‑to‑end semiconductor lifecycle: design → tape‑out → manufacturing → test → yield ramp.
• Experience with technology nodes, chip architecture, or system‑level design.
• Track record of driving cross‑functional initiatives and operational improvements.
• Sound judgement, discretion, and ability to operate with executive‑level trust and confidentiality.
• Data‑driven decision‑making and KPI tracking.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills.

Leadership & Functional Skills

• Strong strategic thinking combined with execution discipline.
• Ability to translate complex technical topics into actionable business decisions.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influence at executive level.
• Proven ability to drive alignment without direct authority.
• Data‑driven mindset with strong performance management capabilities.

Personal Attributes

• Trusted partner with high integrity and discretion.
• Structured and highly organised, with a focus on clarity and simplicity.
• Proactive, results‑oriented, and comfortable operating in ambiguity.
• Strong communicator, able to engage both technical and executive audiences.
• Resilient and adaptable in a fast‑paced, high‑complexity environment.

Impact & Success Measures

• Clear and consistently executed R&D priorities and performance metrics.
• Improved predictability and delivery of innovation milestones.
• Faster and more effective decision‑making across teams.
• Strong executive confidence in R&D execution and reporting.
• Enhanced collaboration across engineering, product, and business functions.

This role can be based at one of ST’s manufacturing sites in Europe

ST is proud to be one of the 17 companies certified as a 2025 Global Top Employer and the first and only semiconductor company to achieve this distinction. ST was recognised in this ranking thanks to its continuous improvement approach and stands out particularly in the areas of ethics & integrity, purpose & values, organisation & change, business strategy, and performance.

At ST, we endeavour to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we do not tolerate discrimination. We aim to recruit and retain a diverse workforce that reflects the societies around us. We strive for equity in career development, career opportunities, and equal remuneration. We encourage candidates who may not meet every single requirement to apply, as we appreciate diverse perspectives and provide opportunities for growth and learning. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is woven into our company culture.

To discover more, visit st.com/careers.