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Dry Etch Development Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Director, Dry Etch Development Engineering Important: if an employer asks you to log into ... reverse engineer and develop repair and improvement opportunities that enhance cost efficiency ...

We are part of Micron's Technology Development organization, driving dry etch innovation for next-generation DRAM. Our Manufacturing Development Engineering team enables fast learning cycles and ...

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Dry Etch Development Engineer information

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$49K

$96.2K

$153.5K

How much do dry etch development engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for dry etch development engineer in the United States is $96,155.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,500.00 and $106,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a dry etch development engineer?

A Dry Etch Development Engineer is a professional who specializes in developing and optimizing dry etching processes used in semiconductor manufacturing. They work with plasma and other advanced techniques to precisely remove materials from silicon wafers during the fabrication of integrated circuits. Their responsibilities include process design, equipment calibration, troubleshooting, and collaborating with other engineers to improve production yields and device performance. This role is critical in ensuring the accuracy and efficiency of microchip production.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a dry etch development engineer?

A Dry Etch Development Engineer needs a solid background in semiconductor physics, materials science, and process engineering, often with a degree in electrical engineering, materials science, or a related field. Familiarity with plasma etching tools, process simulation software, SPC (Statistical Process Control), and cleanroom protocols is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills for optimizing processes and collaborating with cross-functional teams. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure innovative, reliable process development and yield improvement in advanced semiconductor manufacturing.

What are some common challenges faced by dry etch development engineers when scaling processes from R&D to high-volume manufacturing?

Dry Etch Development Engineers often encounter challenges in maintaining process stability and repeatability when transitioning from research and development to high-volume manufacturing. Variability in tool performance, differences in wafer materials, and integration with upstream and downstream processes can impact final device yields. Effective collaboration with manufacturing, integration, and equipment engineering teams is essential to troubleshoot issues and optimize recipes for mass production, ensuring that the developed processes meet both technical and throughput requirements.

What is the difference between Dry Etch Development Engineer vs Process Engineer?

AspectDry Etch Development EngineerProcess Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical, Chemical, or Materials EngineeringBachelor's or Master's in Chemical, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering
Work EnvironmentCleanroom, R&D labs, semiconductor fabrication facilitiesManufacturing plants, R&D labs, semiconductor fabs
Industry UsageFocused on developing and optimizing etching processes for semiconductorsOversees overall manufacturing processes, including etching, deposition, and cleaning

Dry Etch Development Engineers specialize in creating and refining etching processes for semiconductor fabrication, focusing on plasma and reactive ion etching techniques. Process Engineers have a broader role, managing entire manufacturing workflows, including etching, to ensure product quality and efficiency. Both roles require similar technical backgrounds and often work in the same industry environments, but their focus areas differ.

What states have the most Dry Etch Development Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Dry Etch Development Engineer jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Dry Etch Development Engineer jobs?

For Dry Etch Development Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Dry Etch Development Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,155 per year, or $46.2 per hour.

Dry Etch MDE Principal Lead Engineer

Boise, ID • On-site

Micron Technology, Inc
Semiconductor and Electronic Component Manufacturing • 10K+ employees

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago


Micron Technology rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 43 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Job Description

We are part of Micron’s Technology Development organization, driving dry etch innovation for next-generation DRAM. Our Manufacturing Development Engineering team enables fast learning cycles and strong execution through hands‑on work in a 24/7 development environment. We partner across process, integration, and manufacturing to turn ideas into scalable technology and build the next generation of technical leaders. This role combines people leadership, operations ownership, and deep dry etch expertise. You will lead a team across shifts, guide development execution, and remove barriers to accelerate learning and delivery. The position offers broad impact across technology development, strong visibility, and the opportunity to shape both people and process outcomes.

Responsibilities
  • Lead dry etch development execution and ensure efficient wafer flow and data quality.
  • Manage and develop engineers across shifts through coaching and mentorship.
  • Drive operational performance including cycle time, tool readiness, and execution metrics.
  • Partner with process, integration, and manufacturing teams to resolve issues.
  • Improve systems and workflows to increase development throughput.
Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent semiconductor experience.
  • Experience in dry etch process development and plasma fundamentals.
  • Demonstrated leadership in a technical or manufacturing environment.
  • Strong problem‑solving and communication skills.
  • Ability to manage execution across multiple teams and priorities.
Preferred Qualifications
  • PhD or MS with 5+ years, or BS with 10+ years of semiconductor experience.
  • In‑depth knowledge of plasma dry etch technology and chemistries.
  • Experience in shift‑based manufacturing or development environments.
  • Strong cross‑functional collaboration and mentoring experience.
  • Experience leveraging artificial intelligence to improve engineering workflows.
Job Profile(s)

Semiconductor Process Eng Manager 1 - Semiconductor Process Eng (Supervisory) 5

Relocation Level

TBD

Benefits

Micron provides medical, dental, and vision plans and a range of benefit programs that help protect your income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury. It offers paid family leave, a robust paid time‑off program, and paid holidays.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Micron is a proud affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship status, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity, or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

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