Qualcomm hired the head of semiconductor manufacturing at Intel Foundries

Kevin O’Buckley leaves Intel Foundry – new head appointed

After just two years in the role of production division manager at Intel Foundry, Kevin O’Buckley (Kevin O’Buckley) decided to move to Qualcomm. He was replaced by Naga Chandrasekaran (Naga Chandrasekaran), who previously oversaw technology development and implementation.

What Intel says
“We thank Kevin O’Buckley for his contributions to Foundry Services and wish him success outside the company. Intel Foundry remains one of Intel’s key strategic priorities, and under Naga Chandrasekaran’s leadership the company will strengthen discipline in task execution and customer service,” the company said via Tom’s Hardware.

The new technical and operational director will continue to oversee the development of advanced technology processes and ensure the day‑to‑day operation of Intel’s global manufacturing network. Previously this position did not exist: daily operations were handled by O’Buckley and Stuart Pann (Stuart Pann), but their duties did not include developing new manufacturing technologies.

Naga Chandrasekaran’s new responsibilities
* Developing and implementing next‑generation logic component manufacturing technologies
* Creating advanced packaging and testing solutions
* Managing the initial phase of wafer production and final stages of assembly and packaging worldwide
* Engaging with customers, expanding the Intel Foundry ecosystem
* Strategic planning and corporate quality and reliability programs
* Supply chain operations

In other words, he now controls the technology roadmap and Intel’s factories.

Path to appointment
Since September 2025, Naga Chandrasekaran has been serving as executive vice‑president, technical and operational director of Intel Foundry. Prior to that, he led the Technology Development (TD) department and the Foundry Manufacturing and Supply Chain (FMSC) division, which he headed from mid‑2024. Navid Shahriari (Navid Shahriari) will remain responsible for packaging development and production in the division.

What awaits Kevin O’Buckley at Qualcomm
At Qualcomm, he will take on the role of executive vice‑president responsible for global operations and supply chain. His duties will include:

* Leading chip manufacturing worldwide
* Managing plant design
* Coordinating with contract manufacturers and component suppliers

He will report directly to Qualcomm’s executive vice‑president, finance and operations chief Akash Palkhiwala (Akash Palkhiwala). Kevin has already spent seven years at IBM Microelectronics and GlobalFoundries, and two years at Intel Foundry. At Qualcomm he will drive the process of turning developments into finished chips.