MICRO JOURNEYS PODCAST
About Dan Marrujo
Daniel Marrujo is a former Chief Strategy Officer and former Director of the Office of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA) at the Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA).
Mr. Marrujo began his career at Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, AZ., developing missile guidance systems for their advanced programs. He then moved to DMEA, in his hometown of Sacramento, CA., working for the Trusted Integrated Circuit (IC) program office. In conjunction with working on the Trusted IC program, he began working towards the development of DMEA’s reliability capabilities and was selected to lead the National High Reliability Electronics Virtual Center (HiREV).
Mr. Marrujo also established the NRO’s VS&E program which has executed a number of solutions protecting National Security. As a subject matter expert, he has provided his technical expertise in multiple DARPA, IARPA and National Security Space programs. His focus areas are Microelectronics Obsolescence, State of the Art Microelectronics Acquisition, State of the Practice Microelectronics Sustainment, Advanced Packaging, Supply Chain Risk Management, Semiconductor Reliability, Semiconductor Reverse Engineering and Semiconductor Radiation Effects.
In 2016, Mr. Marrujo was selected as DMEA’s Chief Strategy Officer, directly supporting the DMEA directorate. In this position, Mr. Marrujo works with DMEA senior leadership to define and represent the integrated DMEA message and strategic path forward for future engagements.
Latest Episodes
In this episode of Micro Journeys, host Daniel Marrujo sits down with Rick Gottscho to explore a remarkable career that has spanned scientific curiosity, groundbreaking plasma research, and leading roles shaping the semiconductor industry. From childhood fascinations with the periodic table and science fiction, to hands-on experimental research at MIT, Rick’s journey showcases how a love of fundamental science can evolve into driving large-scale technological innovation.
The conversation delves into Rick’s pivotal work at Bell Labs, where he advanced understanding of plasma etching, helping lay foundations for modern semiconductor manufacturing. Rick discusses his transition to Lam Research, where he shifted from research to developing real-world products, underscoring his belief that the ultimate validation of innovation is when customers are willing to pay for it. They also unpack the future of semiconductor manufacturing, the promise of digital twins, and the urgent need for the U.S. to invest in domestic chip ecosystems amidst global competition. By the end of the episode, Rick reveals how combining physics-informed machine learning with engineering expertise could accelerate semiconductor advances — ensuring smarter, faster, more reliable manufacturing in an increasingly data-driven world.
In this episode of Micro Journeys, host Daniel Marrujo sits down with Raj Jammy, a seasoned leader whose career spans semiconductor research, manufacturing, and critical public-private initiatives shaping the future of microelectronics. From growing up in India, dismantling toys to understand how they worked, to spearheading pivotal semiconductor R&D partnerships in the U.S., Raj shares the personal stories and global experiences that forged his passion for technology and innovation.
The conversation dives deep into Raj’s journey across major institutions like IBM, SEMATECH, and IMEC, exploring how each stop helped him tackle complex challenges in microelectronics. They discuss the foundational role of public-private partnerships in driving breakthroughs, how the semiconductor ecosystem evolved from vertically integrated giants to today’s distributed, hyper-specialized landscape, and why Section 9906 of the CHIPS Act is a critical blueprint for ensuring U.S. leadership in semiconductor innovation and manufacturing. Raj highlights how future success hinges on collaborative ecosystems that move discoveries from lab to fab, balancing academic curiosity with manufacturability to ensure cutting-edge research that actually transforms into deployable, production-ready technologies.
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.
