ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Lithography Process Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Amat

Lithography Process Engineer IV

Santa Clara, CA

$147K - $202K/yr

As a Process Engineer, you'll play a crucial role in designing and optimizing manufacturing processes for display and semiconductor manufacturing technologies. You will collect and analyze data ...

Rigetti Computing

Lead Engineer, Lithography

Fremont, CA · On-site

$165K - $205K/yr

S. with 10+ years of direct experience in lithography process development and integration. * Degree in Physics, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.

Apple

TFT Process Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

Apple is looking for Display Panel TFT Process and Integration Engineers to develop new processes ... Photo Lithography, Thin Film, Etch or Integration function for a-Si TFT, Metal Oxide TFT, LTPS TFT ...

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 ...

Apple

TFT Process Engineer

Cupertino, CA

$150K - $277K/yr

Apple is looking for Display Panel TFT Process and Integration Engineers to develop new processes ... Photo Lithography, Thin Film, Etch or Integration function for a-Si TFT, Metal Oxide TFT, LTPS TFT ...

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 ...

Raytheon

Wafer Process Engineer

Goleta, CA

Our Focal Plane Operations Process Engineering department provides world class semiconductor and ... Experience with wet etch, metal-lift off, lithography, plasma cleaning, and associated ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsLithography Process Engineer JobsLithography Process Engineer Jobs in California

Lithography Process Engineer information

See California salary details

$48.9K

$90.8K

$140.6K

How much do lithography process engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for lithography process engineer in California is $90,813.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,500.00 and $101,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lithography Process Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lithography Process Engineer, you need a solid background in semiconductor manufacturing, photolithography principles, and a degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with lithography equipment (e.g., steppers, scanners), process control software, and statistical analysis tools is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help you collaborate with cross-functional teams and address process challenges. These skills and qualifications are essential to optimize yields, maintain quality standards, and drive innovation in semiconductor fabrication.

What does a Lithography Process Engineer do?

A Lithography Process Engineer is responsible for developing, optimizing, and maintaining the photolithography processes used in semiconductor manufacturing. They work with advanced equipment to transfer circuit patterns onto silicon wafers, ensuring high precision and yield. Their role involves troubleshooting process issues, improving process reliability, and collaborating with other engineering teams to support production goals. Lithography Process Engineers also stay up-to-date with new technologies and methods to continuously enhance manufacturing efficiency.

What is the difference between Lithography Process Engineer vs Semiconductor Process Engineer?

AspectLithography Process EngineerSemiconductor Process Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or related fields; certifications in process engineeringBachelor's or Master's in Chemical, Electrical, or Materials Engineering; similar certifications
Work EnvironmentCleanroom environments focused on photolithography steps in chip fabricationCleanroom or fab environments covering multiple process steps in semiconductor manufacturing
Industry UsagePrimarily in semiconductor fabrication plants, focusing on lithography processesAcross semiconductor manufacturing, including process development and production

While both roles operate in semiconductor manufacturing and require similar technical backgrounds, the Lithography Process Engineer specializes in photolithography techniques, whereas the Semiconductor Process Engineer oversees broader process steps. The Lithography Process Engineer focuses on patterning and imaging, making their role more specialized within the manufacturing process.

What are some common challenges faced by Lithography Process Engineers and how can they be addressed?

Lithography Process Engineers often encounter challenges such as managing process variability, minimizing defects, and optimizing equipment performance to achieve precise patterning on semiconductor wafers. These challenges require strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective collaboration with cross-functional teams like equipment engineers and process integration specialists. Staying up-to-date with the latest lithography technologies and maintaining rigorous process controls can help address these issues, ensuring high yields and efficient production.
What are popular job titles related to Lithography Process Engineer jobs in California? For Lithography Process Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Lithography Process Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Lithography Process Engineer jobs in California are:
Lithography Process Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lithography Process Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 92% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,813 per year, or $43.7 per hour.
Sr. Process Engineer - Lithography

Sr. Process Engineer - Lithography

Sanmina

San Jose, CA

$135K - $150K/yr

Other

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted yesterday

Sanmina rating

6.6

Company rating: 6.6 out of 10

Based on 36 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

131st of 156 rated electronics manufacturers

Job description

Sanmina Corporation (Nasdaq: SANM) is a leading integrated manufacturing solutions provider serving the fastest-growing segments of the global Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) market. Recognized as a technology leader, Sanmina Corporation provides end-to-end manufacturing solutions, delivering superior quality and support to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) primarily in the communications networks, defense and aerospace, industrial and semiconductor systems, medical, multimedia, computing and storage, automotive and clean technology sectors. Sanmina Corporation has facilities strategically located in key regions throughout the world.

Process Engineer - Lithography Job Purpose: The PCB industry is experiencing a renaissance with the industry focusing on Interconnect Technology and Miniaturization. With layers of circuits approaching more than 70 layers and features approaching below 1 mil (25.4 microns), the industry is rapidly changing from the early 2000s to enabling technologies in the 2020s and 2030s. Sanmina's PCB division is at the forefront of this renaissance, offering new opportunities for talented engineers in chemical engineering, material science, physics, and mechanical engineering

Sanmina is seeking engineers to explore opportunities to unleash the potential of advanced semiconductors and enable significant technological advancements. The Process Engineer will be responsible for the PCB lithography process lines. Nature of Duties/Responsibilities: Responsible for the dry film lithography and associated wet etch processes and process tools used for PCB manufacturing.

Develop and use SPC / KPI's to track process performance; drive continuous improvement projects Partner with equipment engineering to develop and document performance maintenance checklists. Define qualification requirements to be used after PM's and down tool events. Understand the capabilities of your fabrication process.

Source new tools, drive tool changes, and develop new processes to enhance PCB manufacturing capabilities. Work closely with operations to ensure that process work instructions are clear and processes are operator-friendly. Work collaboratively with upstream and downstream process modules to investigate defect root causes and develop solutions.

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline, preferably Chemical or Materials Science Engineering. A minimum of 7 years working experience in photo lithography processing or a graduate degree with <5 years experience in lithography. Experienced with SPC.

Strong data analysis skills and proficiency with tools such as JMP, Minitab, Excel Experienced in statistical data analysis and Design of Experiments Proven track record in solving problems using 8D and continuous improvement via DMAIC. Good written and oral communication skills. A self-starter and go-getter capable of driving the yield improvement progress Salary Range(annual): $135,000.00 - $150,000.00 Actual base pay within this range (determined at the offer stage) will be based on a candidate's years of relevant work experience, education, certifications, and skills, and is just one element of our total rewards package

The total rewards package also includes a variety of benefits, including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business and, depending on the role, may include eligibility for restricted stock unit awards and participation in a discretionary bonus program. This is an ITAR facility and applicant must be a US Citizen or a lawful permanent resident. Sanmina is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

What Sanmina employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply