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Lithography Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Amat

Lithography Process Engineer IV

Santa Clara, CA

$128K - $176K/yr

To achieve this goal, we're seeking a passionate technologist and experience lithography engineer with strong semiconductor background to develop process and device integration solutions for emerging ...

Nokia

Principal Engineer - Wafer Fabrication

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$130K - $241K/yr

Troubleshoot photo-lithography process problems and drive details of improvement project execution ... engineers to improve process capability, wafer yields, simplify procedures and processes, and ...

ASML

Software Quality Assurance Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

ASML San Jose, CA is an industry leader in computational lithography for integrated circuits. Our ... You will work closely with software developers, application engineers, and domain experts to ...

Substrate

Senior Process Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$200K - $300K/yr

Senior Process Engineer Substrate is addressing one of the most important technological problems ... Ownership of fabrication strategies in lithography, deposition, and etch, as well as designing ...

Substrate

Process Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

Process Engineer Substrate is addressing one of the most important technological problems facing ... Iterating through structural designs and tuning lithography, deposition, and etch parameters to ...

Amat

Lithography Process Engineer IV

Santa Clara, CA

$147K - $202K/yr

Who We Are Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting ...

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Lithography Engineer information

See California salary details

$37.5K

$114.3K

$189K

How much do lithography engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for lithography engineer in California is $114,347.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,900.00 and $149,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a lithography engineer do?

A Lithography Engineer is responsible for developing and optimizing photolithography processes used in semiconductor manufacturing. They work with advanced lithographic equipment, such as steppers and scanners, to transfer circuit patterns onto silicon wafers with nanometer precision. Their role involves process troubleshooting, improving yield, and collaborating with teams in process integration and metrology. Lithography Engineers also evaluate new materials and techniques to enhance resolution and productivity.

What does a typical day look like for a lithography engineer in a semiconductor fabrication facility?

A typical day for a Lithography Engineer involves monitoring and optimizing photolithography processes, troubleshooting equipment issues, analyzing data to ensure pattern accuracy, and working closely with process, integration, and equipment engineers. You may start by reviewing production yields and addressing any anomalies identified during wafer inspection, then participate in team meetings to discuss process improvement projects or equipment maintenance schedules. Daily tasks often include conducting experiments, implementing process changes, and documenting findings to drive continuous improvement. Collaboration and fast problem-solving skills are essential due to the highly precise and cleanroom-based environment in which lithography engineers work.

How much do lithography engineers make?

Lithography engineers typically earn a median annual salary ranging from $70,000 to $120,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Senior roles or those with specialized skills in photolithography and process development can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $150,000 annually.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lithography engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lithography Engineer, you need a solid background in semiconductor physics, photolithography processes, and materials science, typically supported by a degree in electrical engineering, materials science, or a related field. Experience with photolithography tools (such as steppers or scanners), cleanroom protocols, and process simulation software are commonly required, with certifications in semiconductor fabrication being a plus. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and effective communication are key soft skills for this role, especially when collaborating across engineering teams. These skills are crucial for maintaining high wafer yield, troubleshooting equipment, and driving process improvements in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

What are the most commonly searched types of Lithography Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Lithography Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Lithography Engineer jobs in California?

For Lithography Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Lithography Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Lithography Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Lithography Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Lithography Engineer job openings:

Lithography Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lithography Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $114,347 per year, or $55 per hour.

Sr. Principal Lithography Engineer

Formfactor

Livermore, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 23 days ago

FormFactor rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Forming Our Future together

FormFactor, Inc. (NASDAQ: FORM), is a leading provider of essential test and measurement technologies along the full semiconductor product life cycle - from characterization, modeling, reliability, and design de-bug, to qualification and production test. Semiconductor companies rely upon FormFactor's products and services to accelerate profitability by optimizing device performance and advancing yield knowledge. The company serves customers through its network of facilities in Asia, Europe, and North America.

Rooted in our core values - Focus on the Customer, Ownership & Accountability, Respectfully & Effectively Communicate, and Motivate & Develop People - we foster an environment where diverse perspectives are not only welcomed but celebrated. Everyone can make an impact here. Whether it's improving products, supporting customers, or positively influencing peers and the community, the contributions of our people matter.

Shift:

The regular hours for this position are day shift.

Job Description:

The Sr. Principal Lithography Engineer (MEMS R&D) is recognized as a technical authority responsible for driving innovation, strategy, and execution of advanced photolithography technologies across MEMS product development and manufacturing. This role requires deep expertise in semiconductor lithography processes, photoresist materials, optics, and microfabrication techniques, combined with the ability to solve highly complex technical challenges that have significant impact on business objectives and future technology roadmaps.

As a senior technical leader, you will define lithography development strategies, lead breakthrough process innovations, mentor engineering teams, and collaborate across R&D, Product Development, Design Engineering, Operations, and Executive Leadership to enable next-generation MEMS technologies. The successful candidate will serve as a key contributor to FormFactor's long-term technology differentiation and intellectual property development.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Leadership & Innovation

  • Develop and execute long-range technology roadmaps for advanced MEMS photolithography processes and capabilities.

  • Lead the research, development, characterization, and implementation of next-generation lithographic technologies for advanced probe card applications.

  • Serve as the organization's subject matter expert in photolithography and related microfabrication technologies.

  • Identify emerging industry trends and evaluate advanced lithography techniques, including: Two-Photon Polymerization (2PP), Direct Laser Writing (DLW), Nanoimprint Lithography (NIL), and Advanced maskless lithography solutions

  • Drive innovation through invention disclosures, patent generation, technical publications, and technology strategy development.

Process Development & Optimization

  • Lead complex Design of Experiments (DOE) initiatives to develop and optimize advanced lithography processes across multiple substrate platforms.

  • Develop scalable processes for high-resolution MEMS features, critical dimension control, and overlay optimization.

  • Establish process windows and manufacturing-ready solutions for next-generation vertical probe technologies.

  • Perform advanced statistical analysis and process characterization to improve yield, repeatability, and process capability.

  • Define process control methodologies, metrology requirements, and qualification standards.

Failure Analysis & Problem Solving

  • Lead root cause investigations for highly complex lithography, patterning, and integration challenges.

  • Analyze MEMS structures using optical microscopy, SEM, FIB cross-sections, and other advanced characterization techniques.

  • Apply first-principles engineering and data-driven methodologies to solve novel technical challenges.

  • Provide expert guidance on resolving critical manufacturing and development issues.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Partner with R&D, product design, process integration, manufacturing, equipment engineering, and quality teams to enable successful technology development.

  • Evaluate design feasibility and ensure lithography requirements are incorporated during product development.

  • Influence technical decisions across multiple projects and product generations.

  • Present technical findings and recommendations to senior leadership and executive stakeholders.

Mentorship & Organizational Impact

  • Mentor and develop engineers, scientists, and technicians across the organization.

  • Establish technical standards, best practices, and engineering methodologies.

  • Provide leadership in developing organizational lithography expertise and succession planning.

  • Lead technical reviews and serve as a key decision-maker for critical engineering initiatives.

Skills:

Electron Microscopy, Laser Lithography, Photolithography, Photolithography Equipment, Semiconductor Development, Semiconductor Engineering, Semiconductor Fabrication, Semiconductor Manufacturing

Education & Experience:

Minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 6 years and a Master's degree; or a PhD with 3 years experience; or equivalent experience| Required

Pay Range:

$136,200.00 - $178,815.00

Pay Range Explained:

This role in Livermore, California pays between $136,200.00 and $178,815.00 per year, depending on your experience, skills, and background. Pay may vary in other locations. We offer a full benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability coverage, a 401(k) with company match, employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), and paid time off. You'll also be eligible for quarterly profit-sharing bonuses and flexible spending or savings accounts.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

FormFactor is an equal opportunity employer. FormFactor complies with all national, state, and local laws that seek to promote equal opportunities for any applicant or employee without regard to age, race, color, gender, gender identity/expression, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, disability, marital status, pregnancy or related condition, military service, or any other legally protected characteristics. These protections apply to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, training, promotions, and compensation.

For roles that are designated as remote-eligible, employees cannot be located in:AL, AK, AR, DE, GA, HI, IL, IA, KY, LA, ME, MD, MS, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, ND, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, WV, WI, WY. This list is continuously evolving and being updated, please check back with us if the state you live in is on the exclusion list. A role is remote-eligible only when it is listed as "Remote" in the job location.

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