Krishna Vadlamudi
Plasma Etch Equipment And Process Engineering
Summary
Results-driven Semiconductor Engineering Professional with 14+ years of global experience in Field Service Engineering, Equipment Engineering, Dry Etch Technology, Install & Qualification (I&Q), and Technical Leadership, specializing in LAM Research conductor and dielectric etch platforms across advanced semiconductor fabs worldwide. Seeking career advancement with an esteemed organization to leverage my extensive expertise in semiconductor equipment engineering, dry etch systems, project management, and technical operations to drive fab readiness, operational excellence, equipment reliability, and process optimization, while contributing to innovation, team development, and long-term business growth. Professional leader with significant experience in driving operational excellence. Skilled in team collaboration, strategic planning, and process improvement. Known for reliability, adaptability, and focus on achieving measurable results. Strong expertise in project management, team development, and performance optimization.
Overview
2
2
Languages
4
4
Certifications
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Section Manager
TATA Semiconductor Manufacturing
03.2026 - Current
- Fab Readiness Management: Leading and overseeing semiconductor fab readiness activities by coordinating installation, qualification, engineering planning, operational execution, and resource allocation to ensure smooth transition into manufacturing operations within targeted timelines.
- Install & Qualification Programs: Managing end-to-end Install & Qualification (I&Q) programs across multiple semiconductor modules while ensuring adherence to operational objectives, quality requirements, project schedules, and semiconductor manufacturing standards.
- Governance Program Participation: Serving as a key member of the Install & Qualification governance program by supporting strategic decision-making, reviewing execution progress, monitoring milestone achievements, and ensuring alignment with organizational goals and project expectations.
- Contributed as a key member of the Install & Qualification governance program by supporting strategic decision-making, reviewing execution progress, monitoring milestone achievements, and aligning with organizational goals and project expectations.
- Project Monitoring & Execution Control: Monitoring installation schedules, qualification deliverables, project risks, engineering challenges, and milestone achievements while implementing corrective and preventive actions for maintaining operational continuity and timeline compliance.
- Cross-Functional Engineering Coordination: Collaborated with process engineering, equipment engineering, manufacturing operations, and quality assurance teams to ensure seamless execution of installation and operational readiness activities.
- Project Monitoring & Execution Control: Monitored installation schedules and qualification deliverables, managing project risks and engineering challenges while implementing corrective actions to maintain operational continuity.
- Continuous Improvement Initiatives: Identified process gaps and operational inefficiencies, implementing improvement initiatives that enhanced productivity, equipment readiness, and operational reliability.
- Module Owner Training & Development: Conducting comprehensive technical training sessions for module owners on roles and responsibilities, qualification procedures, operational methodologies, and engineering best practices for strengthening execution capabilities and process understanding.
- Led cross-functional teams to optimize semiconductor production processes and enhance operational efficiency.
- Developed and executed training programs for staff, enhancing skill sets and increasing team performance.
Technical Manager
TATA Semiconductor Manufacturing
11.2024 - 03.2026
- Team Leadership & Development: Trained, mentored, and managed a team of equipment engineers while fostering a culture of continuous improvement, technical excellence, collaboration, and operational accountability within the dry etch module.
- Standard Operating Procedure Management: Developed and implemented comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for equipment operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and safety compliance to ensure operational consistency and process reliability.
- Operational Excellence & Process Improvement: Identified operational inefficiencies and implemented continuous improvement initiatives for enhancing equipment reliability, engineering productivity, process effectiveness, and manufacturing performance.
- Evaluated supplier capabilities, technical requirements, commercial feasibility, and long-term partnership opportunities as a key member of the Supplier Selection Committee (SSC).
- OEM Relationship & Contract Management: Collaborated with OEMs on cost negotiations, service agreements, and technical support requirements to enhance vendor relationships and drive operational benefits.
- OEM Relationship & Contract Management: Collaborated extensively with OEMs on cost negotiations, service agreements, warranty contracts, and technical support requirements for optimizing vendor relationships and achieving operational benefits.
- Supplier Selection Committee Participation: Served as a key member of the Supplier Selection Committee (SSC) by evaluating supplier capabilities, technical requirements, commercial feasibility, and long-term partnership opportunities for semiconductor operations.
- Cross-Functional Engineering Coordination: Coordinated with process engineering, manufacturing, procurement, facilities, and vendor teams to ensure smooth project execution and alignment with organizational objectives.
- Procurement Process Improvement: Contributed significantly to the development and enhancement of the PR/PO process for improving procurement efficiency, material tracking, vendor coordination, and operational transparency across engineering functions.
Field Service Engineer
Orbit Technology Solutions
03.2016 - 10.2024
- Technical Support & Equipment Engineering: Led technical support and engineering for installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, calibration, and qualification of LAM Conductor and Dielectric equipment, enhancing operational and production objectives.
- Technical Support & Equipment Engineering: Provided technical leadership and engineering support for installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, calibration, qualification, and development activities related to LAM Conductor and Dielectric equipment to achieve operational and production objectives.
- Semiconductor Equipment Operations: Supported and worked extensively on LAM 2300, 2300 E4, 2300 E5, and 2300 E6 platforms including KIYO series, Versysys Kiyo, Versysys Metal, Exelan Flex, Flex45, and Flex D/H series tools within advanced semiconductor manufacturing environments.
- Process Optimization & System Calibration: Performed process fine-tuning, ROBOT teaching, DA sensor calibration, RF generator and matcher calibration, and optimization of process parameters involving N2 flow, HF, H2SO4, and DICO2 systems for improving wafer production and machine efficiency.
- Failure Analysis & Equipment Troubleshooting: Investigated equipment failures, conducted root cause analysis, implemented corrective actions, streamlined robot arm sequence timing for Kawasaki and Brooks robotic systems, and maintained detailed technical documentation and TRD reports for operational reference.
- Delivered tools according to specifications and ensured compliance with company policies and industry standards.
Equipment Engineer
Global Foundries Singapore PTE Ltd.
06.2011 - 01.2016
- Maintenance Strategy & Reliability Management: Spearheaded preventive, predictive, risk-based, and condition-based maintenance programs including repair, diagnostics, calibration, and maintenance reliability activities for minimizing equipment downtime and improving operational performance.
- Spearheaded maintenance strategy through preventive, predictive, risk-based, and condition-based programs, including repair, diagnostics, and calibration to minimize equipment downtime and enhance operational performance.
- Led engineering project activities, managing project charters, schedules, milestone tracking, status reports, and risk mitigation plans to ensure smooth implementation of operational directives.
- Project Coordination & Execution: Led and coordinated engineering project activities while managing project charters, schedules, milestone tracking, status reports, risk mitigation plans, and deliverables for ensuring smooth implementation of operational directives.
- Inventory & Maintenance System Management: Managed maintenance systems, spare part inventory, budgeting, procurement planning, and vendor coordination while working closely with the purchasing department for maintaining adequate spare availability and operational continuity.
- Provided technical expertise and updated SOPs and operational checklists, prepared equipment performance reports, and delivered on-the-job training programs to promote continuous learning and workforce development.
Education
Diploma - Business Management
01-2010
B.Tech - Electronics and Communications Engineering
01-2006
Skills
Semiconductor Equipment Engineering
Dry Etch Technology
Field Service Engineering
Installation commissioning
Installation qualification
Certification
Attended various equipment, process, technical and safety related specialized trainings listed below
KEY STRENGTHS
- Semiconductor Dry Etch & Plasma Systems Expertise: Extensive expertise in LAM conductor and dielectric etch systems, plasma physics, RF delivery systems, and advanced semiconductor manufacturing technologies.
- Fab Install, Qualification & Technical Leadership: Strong experience in semiconductor fab readiness, install & qualification (I&Q), project execution, SOP development, and leading cross-functional engineering teams for successful operational delivery.
- Equipment Reliability & Process Optimization: Proven expertise in equipment troubleshooting, failure analysis, preventive maintenance, chamber matching, and process optimization to improve tool performance, OEE, and production efficiency.
- Global Field Service & Customer Support Excellence: Demonstrated success in providing technical support across global semiconductor fabs, managing customer relationships, training engineering teams, and delivering high-quality service solutions in fast-paced environments.
Timeline
Section Manager - TATA Semiconductor Manufacturing
03.2026 - Current
Technical Manager - TATA Semiconductor Manufacturing
11.2024 - 03.2026
Field Service Engineer - Orbit Technology Solutions
03.2016 - 10.2024
Equipment Engineer - Global Foundries Singapore PTE Ltd.
06.2011 - 01.2016
JNTU - B.Tech, Electronics and Communications Engineering
IIBIT - Diploma, Business Management