Prior to co-founding Enovix, Ashok was senior director of engineering at FormFactor, a leader in the design and production of patented 3D MEMS contact technology for semiconductor wafer testing. At FormFactor, he led an engineering organization that increased the yield of complex 3D electromechanical devices on silicon substrates from low single-digits to over 90%, while scaling to large arrays capable of massively parallel wafer testing.
Over a 20-year period, from 1983 to 2003, Ashok advanced through roles of increasing engineering and management responsibility in the IBM hard disk-drive division. He led research groups developing precision ceramic machining, development and introduction of the first giant magneto-resistive (GMR) head, and, ultimately, the new product and technology transfer organizations for thin-film disk drive heads. Ashok earned a B.S. with honors in chemical engineering from U.C. Berkeley. He has authored or co-authored over 20 patents or patent applications in battery technology, 3D architecture, electrochemistry, and precision machining.