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Etch Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Mattson Technology

Sr. Director, Etch

Fremont, CA · On-site

Job Summary The Senior Director, Etch Process Engineering is a senior leadership role responsible for defining and executing the etch technology strategy, process development roadmap, and ...

Prosum

Dry Etch Process Engineer

Newport Beach, CA · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Dry Etch Process Engineer Salary Range: $100k to $130k Job Summary Our client is seeking an experienced Dry Etch Process Engineer to support and enhance dry etch processes within a high-volume ...

Amat

Etch Process Engineer V - (E5)

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$163K - $224K/yr

Develops and implements new etch processes for advanced test vehicles * Partners with other groups, including lithography and deposition to develop and implement new integration schemes * Monitors ...

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All JobsEtch JobsEtch Jobs in California

Etch information

See California salary details

$10

$19

$26

How much do etch jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for etch in California is $19.18, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $20.87 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Etch vs Engraver?

AspectEtchEngraver
CredentialsTypically requires training or certification in etching techniquesOften requires similar skills, sometimes with additional artistic or technical training
Work EnvironmentFactories, workshops, or art studiosJewelry shops, manufacturing, or art studios
Industry UsageUsed in manufacturing, art, and decorative applicationsUsed in jewelry, awards, and decorative arts

While both etchers and engravers work with marking surfaces, etch involves creating designs through chemical or acid processes, often for mass production or artistic purposes. Engravers carve directly into materials like metal or glass, typically for personalized or detailed work. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right professional for your project or career path.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an etch operator?

To thrive as an Etcher, you need strong manual dexterity, attention to detail, and a solid understanding of drawing or design principles, often supported by formal art or technical training. Familiarity with etching tools, chemicals, printing presses, and safety equipment is typically required. Creativity, patience, and problem-solving abilities help individuals produce high-quality, original work and troubleshoot process issues. These skills ensure precision, safety, and artistic excellence in creating etched designs or prints.

What are some common challenges faced by etch technicians in maintaining precision during the semiconductor fabrication process?

Etch technicians often encounter challenges in maintaining precision due to the microscopic scale of semiconductor features and the sensitivity of materials to process variations. Common issues include controlling etch depth and uniformity, preventing defects caused by contamination, and ensuring strict adherence to cleanroom protocols. Collaboration with process engineers and equipment maintenance teams is essential to troubleshoot problems and achieve high yield rates. Staying proactive about equipment calibration and following detailed process documentation can help address these challenges.

What does an etch operator do?

An Etch operator works in semiconductor manufacturing, where they operate and monitor machines that use chemical or plasma processes to remove layers from silicon wafers. This precision process is essential for creating the intricate circuits in microchips. Etch operators are responsible for ensuring equipment runs correctly, monitoring process parameters, performing routine maintenance, and adhering to safety protocols. They may also inspect wafers for defects and document production data to maintain quality standards.
What are popular job titles related to Etch jobs in California? For Etch jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Etch jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Etch jobs in California are:
Etch jobs near you
Infographic showing various Etch job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,893 per year, or $19.2 per hour.

Sr. Director, Etch

Mattson Technology

Fremont, CA • On-site

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description


About Mattson
Company: Mattson Technology, Inc., a 38-year Silicon Valley company, designs, manufactures, markets, and globally supports plasma and rapid thermal processing equipment to fabricate integrated circuits for the global semiconductor industry.
Mattson Technology, Inc. offers processing equipment that utilizes innovative technologies to deliver advanced processing capabilities and high productivity for the fabrication of current and next-generation integrated circuits. Our equipment and technologies are used by leading memory and logic, analog /power device manufacturers worldwide. Innovations from Mattson Technology in Atomic Surface Engineering address the most critical logic and memory manufacturing challenges.
In May 2016, Mattson Technology was acquired by Beijing's E-Town Capital. Our new investor's vision is that Mattson Technology, with its Silicon Valley DNA, will continue to operate as a global, market-driven technology provider serving worldwide semiconductor manufacturing customers. In July, 2025, the company successfully listed in Shanghai's STAR Exchange. As the external trade compliance environment evolves, Mattson Technology now operates independently from the parent company in product, business, and operations, serving customers outside of China.
Job Summary
The Senior Director, Etch Process Engineering is a senior leadership role responsible for defining and executing the etch technology strategy, process development roadmap, and manufacturing excellence initiatives for semiconductor fabrication operations. This position leads a global team of process engineers, technical managers, and subject matter experts focused on developing, optimizing, qualifying, and sustaining advanced plasma and dry etch processes. The Senior Director partners closely with R&D, Manufacturing, Equipment Engineering, Yield Enhancement, Product Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain organizations to drive technology innovation, operational performance, and successful product commercialization.
The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in semiconductor etch processes with strong business acumen, organizational leadership, and a track record of delivering high-volume manufacturing results in advanced technology environments.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities Strategic Leadership
  • Develop and execute the long-term etch process technology roadmap aligned with company business objectives and product requirements.
  • Provide technical and organizational leadership for advanced etch process development, technology transfer, and manufacturing support.
  • Lead cross-functional initiatives focused on technology innovation, cost reduction, productivity improvement, and manufacturing scalability.
  • Evaluate emerging semiconductor technologies and recommend investments to maintain competitive advantage.
  • Establish departmental goals, performance metrics, and strategic priorities.
Process Development & Technology
  • Direct development of advanced plasma, dry etch, dielectric, conductor, and specialty etch processes for next-generation semiconductor devices.
  • Oversee process characterization, optimization, qualification, and integration activities.
  • Drive continuous improvement of critical process parameters, defect reduction, CD control, profile optimization, and process capability.
  • Ensure successful transfer of new process technologies from R&D into high-volume manufacturing.
  • Lead root cause investigations and corrective actions for complex technical and yield-related challenges.
Manufacturing Support & Yield Improvement
  • Drive improvements in yield, throughput, cycle time, equipment utilization, and overall manufacturing effectiveness.
  • Partner with production and operations teams to ensure stable and repeatable manufacturing performance.
  • Monitor key process indicators and implement corrective actions to meet quality and productivity targets.
  • Lead yield enhancement programs utilizing statistical process control (SPC), DOE methodologies, and advanced analytics.
  • Ensure robust management of process excursions and customer-facing quality issues.
Equipment & Supplier Management
  • Collaborate with Equipment Engineering to define requirements for next-generation etch platforms.
  • Establish strategic relationships with equipment manufacturers and material suppliers.
  • Evaluate new equipment technologies and oversee tool qualification activities.
  • Support capital planning and investment decisions related to etch process capabilities.
  • Drive supplier performance and continuous improvement initiatives.
Organizational Leadership
  • Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain high-performing engineering leaders and technical professionals.
  • Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, operational excellence, and continuous learning.
  • Build organizational capability through talent development and succession planning.
  • Lead geographically distributed engineering teams across multiple sites, when applicable.
  • Promote collaboration across engineering, operations, and business functions.
Compliance & Quality
  • Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, quality, and regulatory requirements.
  • Champion engineering best practices, documentation standards, and knowledge management.
  • Support internal audits, customer audits, and industry certifications as required.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives aligned with lean manufacturing and operational excellence principles.
Qualifications Education
  • Master's degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or related technical discipline required.
  • Advanced technical training in semiconductor process technology preferred.
Experience
  • 15+ years of progressive semiconductor process engineering experience.
  • 8+ years of leadership experience managing managers, senior engineers, and technical organizations.
  • Extensive experience in plasma etch, reactive ion etch (RIE), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), atomic layer etch (ALE), or related advanced semiconductor process technologies.
  • Proven success supporting advanced-node semiconductor manufacturing and technology development.
  • Experience leading technology transfer from development to high-volume manufacturing environments.
  • Demonstrated track record of driving yield improvement, process capability enhancement, and operational excellence.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Deep understanding of semiconductor device fabrication and process integration.
  • Expertise in etch process physics, plasma chemistry, process control, and defect reduction methodologies.
  • Strong knowledge of SPC, DOE, FMEA, process characterization, and yield analysis techniques.
  • Experience with advanced semiconductor equipment platforms and process control systems.
  • Strong financial, strategic planning, and capital management capabilities.
  • Exceptional leadership, communication, and executive presentation skills.
  • Ability to influence senior executives, customers, suppliers, and cross-functional stakeholders.
  • Strong project management and change management capabilities.
  • Ability to lead in a fast-paced, technology-driven environment.

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