As SkyWater Technology closes its acquisition of Infineon’s Fab 25 in Austin, Director and CEO Thomas Sonderman joins host Daniel Marrujo to discuss what this milestone means for the future of domestic semiconductor innovation. With facilities now operating in Minnesota, Florida, and Texas, SkyWater is carving out a new model for microelectronics: one that centers on foundational semiconductors, advanced packaging, and long-term national impact. Sonderman lays out how SkyWater’s “Technology as a Service” model is redefining what a foundry can be.

In this episode, Sonderman explains how SkyWater balances commercial opportunity with national security by bringing critical manufacturing capabilities back onshore. From thermal imaging and superconducting films to MEMS-CMOS integration and quantum-ready fabrication, SkyWater’s U.S.-based model supports defense, automotive, and AI applications with speed, security, and scale. Daniel and Tom also explore how workforce development and public-private partnerships are creating long-term talent pipelines—starting as early as high school.

As demand for edge computing, AI, and quantum technologies explodes, SkyWater is positioning itself as a cornerstone of America’s tech ecosystem. With a CapEx-light model, multi-site redundancy, and a customer-funded innovation engine, the company is primed to lead the charge in secure, scalable, and sustainable semiconductor production.

What You’ll Discover in This Episode:

• [00:22] SkyWater acquires Infineon’s Fab 25 to boost domestic 200mm foundry capacity
• [04:30] How SkyWater evolved from an IDM to a Technology-as-a-Service foundry
• [10:30] RAD-Hard innovation, CMOS and MEMS for defense, medical, and imaging applications
• [17:45] Public-private partnerships and workforce development in Florida’s NeoCity
• [23:00] $127M CHIPS Act modernization program and co-investment strategy
• [36:00] SkyWater’s roadmap: fan-out packaging, panel-based systems, and the future of 3D integration

Let’s Connect:

• Daniel Marrujo
• Thomas Sonderman
• TSS Website

Learn more about TSS: https://tss.llc/micro-journeys-podcast/

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