Q&A with SiTime Executive Fang Tuurnala: Trust in Yourself, Be Proud of Who You Are

The journey to becoming an engineer can take many forms. For some, it's a passion they've pursued from an early age. For others, it's a gradual path where they find themselves walking through serendipitous opportunities. We recently sat down with Fang Tuurnala, senior director of MEMS process technology and head of SiTime Finland to get her perspective on career success. Our discussion covered her unique path through the world of MEMS technology where she blends analytical rigor of physics and a passion for learning and leadership with an ability to set a visionary course. With over 20 years of experience, Fang sheds light on the diverse skills needed to succeed in both engineering and management. These are her invaluable insights for aspiring engineers and leaders.

How did you know that you wanted to be an engineer?

I've always liked things that follow logical principles and make sense. That's exactly what engineering offers. I didn't choose this field directly. I was sent to university in China to study technical physics. After graduation, I thought about finding a different path, but as is often the case, it's easiest to find positions related to your field of study. That's how I ended up in engineering. My journey led me to Finland, where I continued studying and entered the world of semiconductor process technology. Today, I am the senior director of MEMS process technology at SiTime, and I am the head of SiTime's Finland office. I started out in this field over two decades ago, back when MEMS technology was relatively unknown. Being part of an emerging field, such as my early years in MEMS, gave me opportunities to innovate in ways that few people can realize. I didn't know from the outset that this would be my path. Each step of my career has been a natural progression.

What interests you most about your role at SiTime?

In addition to overseeing the MEMS process work at SiTime, I also lead the Finland site. So, I have two hats. I was the first employee in Finland. In the beginning, the work was about building a site, providing the foundation for our future technological advancements.

It's true that management and engineering require very different skill sets. I'm still learning, and there's always more to master. Engineers must be able to easily dive into the details. To see products come to life, created from your own hand, is a wonderful feeling. For my role in management now, it helps that I've worked in the clean room doing the processing and performed the job of an engineer. Because of this, I understand the effort, time and resources it takes to bring products into the world. This understanding of the details informs my decision making at the business level. My engineering experience is invaluable, allowing me to evaluate whether a particular initiative is worth pursuing from a business standpoint.

In management, it's important to have vision and understand the big picture. You must get out of the box and think about how the work you do connects to higher business objectives. It's not only important to make judgments based on the data in hand, but also look at all the various business options and trade-offs. Convincing engineers to step back and look at the bigger picture can be one of the more challenging aspects of the job. For example, you might need to decide whether to invest two years of work into a specific project that takes ten people or take a different path that provides more strategic value. In management, you must be able to balance the data and detail with the business realities. Stepping back to see how all the pieces fit into larger objectives is essential.

Who is your role model?

It's hard to pinpoint one role model, as I've been fortunate to encounter many great people throughout my career. When I first moved to Finland from China, the transition was tough-I didn't speak Finnish, and the weather was challenging. But my professor was incredibly encouraging, and he pushed me to succeed. Later, my husband and supportive colleagues also played pivotal roles in my life. I met three people before I joined SiTime, our CEO, our executive vice president of technology and our vice president of MEMS engineering. I deeply value these relationships, as well as many relationships throughout SiTime because they are built on deep mutual trust and respect. One of my managers in my career, who also became a close friend, built a deep, trusting relationship with me that particularly stands out. This relationship allowed for open, honest and direct conversations. Two-way direct conversations can be challenging for many managers, but if you build a trusting relationship, it will make things better. In these kinds of relationships, it's understood that being direct is about trust, and it's nothing personal. When someone can see you are struggling, and can ask, "so my friend, how are things?" and you can say what's on your mind, it is motivating. You both know that you have the best intentions.

Having trusting relationships at work inspires me to get up every day. These are the relationships that have helped me progress my career. I think I'm lucky.

What is the most challenging thing about being in tech?

In tech, there's always someone who's better than you at something, and that's okay. It's important to recognize your strengths and weaknesses and be honest with yourself about them. Coming into self-awareness can be challenging, but once you accept it, you can find peace. You don't need to compete in every aspect-learning from others and focusing on your own strengths is key to success. Everyone has something to offer, and by identifying the best traits in those around you, you can continuously grow and improve. It took time for me to reach this stage, but now I'm confident in what I bring to the table, and that's a valuable realization.

What are you most proud of in your career?

One of the achievements I'm most proud of is my long-term vision and ability to work beyond the ordinary. In a previous role, I saw that semiconductors were the future, not just in terms of technology but also fabrication. My company was focused on research, but I convinced them to pursue fabrication opportunities through the CHIPS Act. I led the effort to successfully secure funding to build a fabrication facility, and it's something I'm very proud of. At SiTime, I've been able to secure funding for research from the Finnish government, which has not only helped SiTime R&D but also enriched Finland's technical ecosystem by associating with a great brand like SiTime.

I've been in this industry for a long time, and I'm constantly thinking about how I can contribute to SiTime's growth. Seeing something you've worked on come to life is incredibly rewarding. I also take great joy in managing people. Empowering my team and contributing to the company's success is the ultimate measure of satisfaction.

How do you manage work-life balance?

Outside of work, I enjoy tennis, golf, and cooking with friends. I even have a cooking club where we travel to places like France or Italy to cook together. Gardening is another passion of mine, and I grow vegetables in a large garden at home. These hobbies are my way of relieving stress and staying balanced. I've always enjoyed activities that bring joy and creativity into my life. There's a satisfaction in making something, whether it's a meal or a product, and knowing that it helps others. That sense of accomplishment is what drives me in my professional life as well.

Do you have advice for women pursuing a career in technology?

My advice is simple and it's not just for women: trust in your own strengths and don't give up just because someone else is better than you in one area. You have your own unique talents. You don't need to compete in every sense. Focus on your development. For instance, I wouldn't call myself a deep physics genius, but I am very good at having vision, understanding complex subjects and managing processes from start to finish. It's about common sense, and as you move forward in your career, you find yourself getting deeper into your area of expertise while making meaningful progress.

Technology is about growth, not just competition. You don't have to be the best at everything to succeed. If there's one thing I'd like people to remember, it's this: don't let self-doubt hold you back. Many women can hesitate because they feel they're not good enough. But the world is open to those who see the bright side of their abilities. Trust in yourself, and the opportunities will come.

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