Intel Foundry undergoes major leadership change as Naga Chandrasekaran takes over from Kevin O'Buckley, who is departing for Qualcomm's global operations role. The move consolidates Intel's foundry operations under one leader with deep technical expertise.
Intel Foundry has undergone a significant leadership transition, with Naga Chandrasekaran stepping into the role of head of the unit following Kevin O'Buckley's unexpected departure to Qualcomm. The change represents a consolidation of Intel's foundry operations under a single leader with deep technical expertise in both process technology development and manufacturing execution.
Leadership Transition Details
O'Buckley, who had led Intel Foundry for approximately two years, is departing to become Qualcomm's executive vice president in charge of Global Operations and Supply Chain. In his new role at Qualcomm, O'Buckley will oversee worldwide chip production activities, including manufacturing engineering, relationships with contract manufacturers, and component vendors. He will report directly to Akash Palkhiwala, Qualcomm's executive vice president, CFO, and COO.
Chandrasekaran, who previously served as Chief Technology and Operations Officer at Intel Foundry, now assumes full responsibility for the organization. His promotion represents a strategic shift in how Intel structures its foundry leadership, consolidating both technology development and manufacturing operations under one executive.
Chandrasekaran's Expanded Role
The new Intel Foundry leader now oversees the complete spectrum of operations, from advanced process technology development to day-to-day manufacturing execution. His responsibilities include:
- Creating and rolling out next-generation silicon logic nodes
- Developing advanced packaging solutions and test technologies
- Supervising front-end wafer fabrication operations
- Managing back-end assembly and packaging operations worldwide
- Leading customer engagement and ecosystem initiatives
- Overseeing strategic planning and corporate quality programs
- Managing supply chain operations
This comprehensive oversight represents a departure from the previous structure, where O'Buckley and his predecessor Stuart Pann focused primarily on execution and expansion rather than technology development.
Technical Expertise and Background
Chandrasekaran brings extensive experience in both technology development and manufacturing operations to his new role. Prior to his promotion, he led Intel Foundry's Technology Development (TD) group and the Foundry Manufacturing and Supply Chain (FMSC) organization, which he has overseen since mid-2024.
His background positions him uniquely to bridge the gap between cutting-edge process technology innovation and large-scale manufacturing execution. This dual expertise is particularly valuable as Intel Foundry competes with established players like TSMC and Samsung in the advanced semiconductor manufacturing space.
Industry Context and Implications
The leadership change comes at a critical juncture for Intel Foundry as the company works to establish itself as a major player in the contract semiconductor manufacturing market. The consolidation of technology development and manufacturing operations under Chandrasekaran suggests Intel is prioritizing seamless execution of its technology roadmap.
For Qualcomm, O'Buckley's hiring represents a significant addition of foundry expertise at the operational level. His experience at Intel Foundry, combined with his previous roles at IBM Microelectronics and GlobalFoundries, provides Qualcomm with deep insights into semiconductor manufacturing operations.
Future Outlook
The question of whether Intel Foundry will produce any of Qualcomm's future designs remains unanswered. Such a partnership would represent a significant win for Intel's foundry ambitions, though Qualcomm has traditionally relied on TSMC for its advanced chip manufacturing needs.
Chandrasekaran's leadership will be crucial in determining Intel Foundry's ability to attract major customers and compete effectively in the increasingly competitive semiconductor manufacturing landscape. His technical background and operational experience suggest Intel is positioning the foundry business for aggressive growth and technological advancement.
As the semiconductor industry continues to evolve with increasing demands for advanced process nodes and specialized manufacturing capabilities, the leadership structure and strategic direction of foundry operations will play a critical role in determining market success. Intel's decision to consolidate these functions under Chandrasekaran reflects the company's commitment to executing its foundry strategy with technical excellence and operational discipline.
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