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Lithography Patterning Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Amat

Patterning Process Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

$124K - $171K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical field. * 4 to 7 years of semiconductor experience in advanced lithography, patterning, or ...

Stem Xpert

Lithography Engineer

Yorktown Heights, NY · On-site

The company is primarily focused on information technology, engineering, healthcare, financial ... of patterning techniques, and show familiarity with common metrology methods. The hired candidate ...

Visa Hunt

Senior Lithography Research Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

We build lithography, metrology, and motion systems that pattern, inspect, and characterize our ... About the Role We are bringing on a Senior Lithography Research Engineer to lead our efforts in ...

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Lithography Patterning Engineer information

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$58K

$114.5K

$134.5K

How much do lithography patterning engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for lithography patterning engineer in the United States is $114,462.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,000.00 and $128,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a lithography patterning engineer do?

A Lithography Patterning Engineer is responsible for developing and optimizing the processes used to create intricate patterns on semiconductor wafers, which are essential for manufacturing integrated circuits and microchips. They work with advanced photolithography equipment, manage process controls, and troubleshoot issues related to pattern fidelity and alignment. Their role is crucial in ensuring high yields and precise feature sizes as semiconductor devices become increasingly small and complex.

What are some common challenges faced by lithography patterning engineers during the semiconductor manufacturing process?

Lithography Patterning Engineers often encounter challenges such as maintaining critical dimension control, minimizing defects, and managing overlay accuracy as device geometries shrink. They must troubleshoot issues with photoresist materials, exposure tools, and process parameters while coordinating with process integration and equipment teams to optimize yields. Staying current with rapidly evolving lithography technologies and ensuring cleanroom protocols are also key aspects of the role.

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

To thrive as a Lithography Patterning Engineer, you need a solid background in materials science, physics, or electrical engineering, often with a bachelor’s or advanced degree. Familiarity with photolithography equipment, cleanroom protocols, and software tools like CAD or SEM analysis is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are critical soft skills for this role. These competencies are important because they ensure precise patterning processes, leading to high-quality semiconductor device fabrication and innovation.

What are popular job titles related to Lithography Patterning Engineer jobs?

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

Infographic showing various Lithography Patterning Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $114,462 per year, or $55 per hour.

Sr. Principal Lithography Engineer

Formfactor

Livermore, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • 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.

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

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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