Sr. Technical Lead, External Research Programs – Micron Research Labs (Evergreen)

Our vision is to transform how the world uses information to enrich life for all.

Micron Technology is a world leader in innovating memory and storage solutions that accelerate the transformation of information into intelligence, inspiring the world to learn, communicate and advance faster than ever.

Micron Research Labs (MRL) seeks an experienced technical leader to drive external research programs with ecosystem partners. Working with universities, national laboratories, consortia and industry partners, the individual identifies, shapes, and drives research that advances Micron's long-term technology priorities in memory and semiconductor technologies, from materials and devices through packaging, architectures, and AI/compute systems.

The successful candidate will be a program manager for external research, driving solicitations, selection, management and oversight and achievement of Micron objectives for the program.  This role serves as the technical link between MRL and Micron technology teams and the global research ecosystem. We are open to candidates with deep expertise in DRAM, NAND, and/or semiconductor system solutions, including memory architectures, devices, materials, process, packaging, memory-centric systems, and AI/compute. Job level and title will be based on the candidate’s experience, scope and qualifications. 

Key Responsibilities 

External Research Program Management  

• Develop and issue Micron-funded research solicitations for defined technical challenges, aligned with MRL's research agenda and themes.

• Identify and engage university research groups worldwide to participate in these solicitations. 

• Receive and evaluate proposals for technical merit and fit with MRL priorities and support the selection and award process with MRL technical leaders, Legal, Procurement, and Finance. 

• Identify university research teams focused in domains relevant to MRL’s research agenda; and build relationships aligned with strategic research priorities. 

• Coordinate research partnerships with national laboratories, startups, consortia, and other strategic ecosystem partners, where relevant and aligned with MRL priorities. 

• Lead all aspects of successful execution of sponsored research projects including scope, schedules, budgets, outputs, dependencies, risks, decisions, and outcomes  

• Report on program progress and results to MRL leadership. Share findings with Micron research and pathfinding teams, and evaluate IP opportunities for IP, publications, and technology transfer. 

• Lead proposal development from kickoff through closeout, contracting, compliance, project delivery, reporting and budgets in partnership with Legal, Finance, Procurement, Government Affairs and Export Compliance. 

Technical Collaboration 

• Partner with research, technology development, product, engineering, and business organizations to ensure external programs deliver measurable value. 

• Support talent engagement, including faculty, graduate research, and internships. 

• Collaborate across global regions and time zones.

Qualifications 

Required 

• Bachelor's degree with 7+ years or a Master's degree with 5+ years of relevant experience in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Applied Physics, Chemical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science or a related field with hands-on experience in semiconductor R&D, technology development or research. 

• Demonstrated technical expertise across memory and semiconductor research or technology development (spanning devices, materials, process, packaging, memory architecture, and AI/compute system). 

• Experience leading and managing sponsored research programs and technical collaborations with universities, national laboratories, startups, government-funded research organizations, and industry consortia.
• Ability to evaluate technical proposals and communicate complex topics to technical and executive audiences.

• Experience using Generative AI and other AI-enabled tools to improve technical analysis, research evaluation, engineering documentation, and program execution while critically validating outputs. 

• Demonstrated project leadership skills with the ability to lead independently, influence matrixed organizations, and present effectively to executive audiences.

Preferred 

• Record of publications, patents or recognized technical contributions. 

• Knowledge of research funding mechanisms, IP protection, export compliance and technology transfer. 

• Experience building and maintaining relationships across academia, government laboratories, industry research organizations, or innovation ecosystems.

As a world leader in the semiconductor industry, Micron is dedicated to your personal wellbeing and professional growth. Micron benefits are designed to help you stay well, provide peace of mind and help you prepare for the future.  We offer a choice of medical, dental and vision plans in all locations enabling team members to select the plans that best meet their family healthcare needs and budget.  Micron also provides benefit programs that help protect your income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury, and paid family leave.  Additionally, Micron benefits include a robust paid time-off program and paid holidays.  For additional information regarding the Benefit programs available, please see the Benefits Guide posted on micron.com/careers/benefits.

Micron is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship status, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

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To learn more about Micron, please visit micron.com/careers

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