Senior Advisor – GaN Materials & Devices

Job Description

Title: Senior Advisor – GaN Materials & Devices

Reports to: President

Type: Part-time, independent contractor

Location: Virtual

 

Soundside Partners is seeking a part-time Senior Advisor – GaN Materials & Devices to support advanced GaN materials, device, and foundry-related programs. The Senior Advisor will provide technical leadership across GaN epitaxy, wafer processing, device development, foundry monitoring, troubleshooting, and product direction activities. This is a part-time, virtual role. Some travel will be required for client meetings, foundry or partner visits, conferences, and other engagements.

 

Why Soundside?

This is an opportunity to join Soundside Partners at a time of rapid growth and expanding industry presence. Soundside works with innovative startups, global semiconductor companies, investors, universities, national laboratories, and government organizations to accelerate the commercialization of advanced semiconductor technologies. As a Soundside Advisor, you will help shape high-impact GaN programs spanning materials development, device demonstration, foundry execution, and commercial strategy – all while working in a flexible, entrepreneurial environment alongside recognized industry leaders.

 

Core Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for GaN materials, device, and foundry-related programs

• Advise on GaN epitaxy across multiple substrates, including SiC, silicon, sapphire, and other emerging platforms

• Guide wafer processing approaches, process flows, toolsets, integration risks, and yield improvement activities

• Collaborate with corporate partners, universities, national laboratories, and commercial foundries to develop new GaN materials, devices, and process capabilities

• Support technical roadmaps, product direction decisions, competitive assessments, and industry trend analysis for GaN RF and power electronics applications

• Contribute to technical proposals, customer briefings, program reviews, publications, and intellectual property development

• Work closely with the Soundside President and other advisors to lead multiple programs and coordinate stakeholder engagement

 

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Applied Physics, or a related field

• Deep understanding of:

  • GaN epitaxy on multiple substrates, including materials quality, buffer design, strain management, thermal considerations, and defect control

  • GaN wafer processing techniques and toolsets, including lithography, etch, metallization, dielectric deposition, passivation, isolation, and device testing

  • GaN applications, particularly RF electronics, power electronics, and related commercial markets

• Experience working with foundries, corporate R&D teams, universities, national laboratories, and/or government-funded R&D programs

• Ability to lead multiple technical programs simultaneously and communicate effectively with executive, technical, commercial, and research stakeholders

 

Work Location

This is a part-time, independent contractor role (est. 10-20 hrs/wk) with flexible schedule. The Senior Advisor may work remotely from any suitable location with adequate connectivity and airport access. Occasional travel will be required for client meetings, partner visits, conferences, or business development activities.