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Process Engineer – Dry Etch

San Diego / Riverside, CA

Salary: $100,000 - $150,000 DOE

About the Role

We're seeking a Dry Etch Process Engineer to support the development of manufacturable, repeatable, and high-yielding processes for advanced, highly specialized devices spanning aerospace, defense, bioelectronics, and high-speed communications. This is a hands-on role at the leading edge of silicon photonics, where your work directly shapes the performance and quality of next-generation product lines.

What You'll Do

• Collaborate with integration engineers, customers, and development engineers to run experiments and tune processes for fab operation
• Work alongside product engineering and integration teams to ensure smooth new product/process introductions and consistent device performance
• Guide and support process technicians through complex process steps
• Interpret metrology results and disposition lots against defined pass/fail criteria
• Summarize and report metrology findings, advising the integration and process development teams
• Deliver clear shift pass-downs to keep dry etch operations running without interruption
• Sustain and continuously improve wafer fabrication processes
• Partner with equipment engineering, operations, and management to strengthen cycle time, tool availability, quality, and yield
• Maintain working knowledge of all applicable codes and standards for assigned equipment using document control, work instructions, and manufacturing execution systems (MES)
• Ensure manufactured products meet specification and application requirements
• Resolve technical deviations by forming hypotheses, designing validating experiments, identifying root causes, implementing corrective actions, documenting improvements, and training operations
• Sustain established processes across RIE, DRIE, MRIE, ICP, microwave ashing, TCP, DRM, and barrel etching — including recipe creation, inspection, defect control, and standard metrology (e.g., ellipsometry, profilometry)
• Author and maintain operating specifications for production processes and equipment
• Monitor process health via Statistical Process Control (SPC) and act on out-of-control events per established action plans

What You'll Bring

• Fab experience in dry etch processing using RIE, DRIE, MRIE, ICP, and microwave ashing
• Working experience with Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• Comfort with data extraction, analysis, and reporting
• Foundational understanding of semiconductor processing and algebraic concepts
• Ability to troubleshoot problems and drive to root cause
• Understanding of the maintenance activities needed to keep a process healthy and repeatable
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and manage multiple overlapping tasks against deadlines
• Hands-on capability to operate processing tools, write and run dry etch recipes, inspect wafers under a microscope, and perform particle/defect and thickness/uniformity characterization
• Availability for offset shifts — Front-End Days (Sun–Thu) or Back-End Days (Tue–Sat)
• BS in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, or related field + 9 years; MS + 7 years; or PhD + 4 years

Competencies

Hands-on mindset · strong communication · collaboration · quick learner · strong interpersonal skills · self-starter · prioritization · accountability · innovation

Work Environment

More than 80% of the work takes place in the fab — a temperature-controlled cleanroom requiring full-body gowning, over-boots, over-hood, safety glasses, and additional PPE. Expect frequent gowning/de-gowning, potential exposure to hazardous materials, and an environment with static noise and both auditory and visual alarms.

Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods (up to ~3 hours) stationary, seated, standing, or walking the fab
• Extended computer monitor viewing
• Occasional pushing/pulling and lifting of 50+ lb objects (e.g., tool components), with occasional short carries
• Frequent reaching, bending, twisting, squatting, kneeling, and stooping to access tools
• Repetitive wrist/hand/finger motions; work in tight or confined spaces
• Fine and gross motor handling for carrying cassettes and lot boxes
• Constant PPE use

Compensation

Total compensation includes base salary plus overtime eligibility for non-exempt roles, along with a comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, vision, 401(k), company-paid life and disability, paid holidays and vacation, and more).

Work Authorization / ITAR

This position sits at a facility operating under International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be "U.S. persons" as defined by ITAR — a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident (green card holder), political asylee, or refugee.

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