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Lithography Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Nokia

Principal Engineer - Wafer Fabrication

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$130K - $241K/yr

Troubleshoot photo-lithography process problems and drive details of improvement project execution to enable a smooth flow of production and development wafers. * Execute process development and ...

Amat

Physicist/Scientist E4

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$161K - $221K/yr

This position will be in our advanced lithography group located in Santa Clara, CA. Key Responsibilities Technically lead and/or execute engineering projects and spearhead research and development of ...

Applied Materials

Physicist/Scientist E4

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$161K - $221K/yr

This position will be in our advanced lithography group located in Santa Clara, CA. Key Responsibilities Technically lead and/or execute engineering projects and spearhead research and development of ...

Semtech

Technician 3, Production

Alhambra, CA · On-site

$39/hr

Perform grating fabrication for DFB laser structures using holographic lithography methods. * Set up and align holographic exposure systems to generate precise grating patterns. * Characterize ...

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Lithography information

See California salary details

$57.2K

$113K

$132.7K

How much do lithography jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for lithography in California is $112,963.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $102,600.00 and $126,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is lithography?

A Lithography job involves working with photolithography processes used in semiconductor manufacturing to pattern and transfer circuit designs onto silicon wafers. This role includes operating lithography equipment, troubleshooting process issues, and ensuring precise alignment and resolution of patterns. Lithography engineers or technicians collaborate with other semiconductor professionals to optimize process performance and improve yield. They often work in cleanroom environments and use advanced optical or EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet) lithography technologies to create smaller, more efficient chips.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in lithography?

To thrive in lithography, you need strong attention to detail, mechanical aptitude, and a solid understanding of printing processes, typically supported by technical training or experience in manufacturing or print production. Familiarity with lithography equipment, process control tools, and safety procedures is essential, and certifications in print technology can be advantageous. Good problem-solving, time management, and teamwork are important soft skills for this role. These strengths ensure high-quality output, efficient operation, and safe handling of sophisticated machinery in a fast-paced printing environment.

What does a lithography professional do?

Daily responsibilities for a lithography professional typically include setting up and maintaining printing presses, preparing plates and materials, monitoring print runs for quality control, and troubleshooting any process issues. You may also be responsible for routine equipment maintenance, adjusting ink levels, and ensuring adherence to safety and production standards. Collaboration often occurs with prepress technicians, quality assurance teams, and supervisors to ensure that projects meet deadlines and client specifications. This role is hands-on and detail-oriented, making strong organizational skills valuable for success.

What are the most commonly searched types of Lithography jobs in California? The most popular types of Lithography jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Lithography jobs in California? For Lithography jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Lithography jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Lithography jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Lithography jobs? Cities in California with the most Lithography job openings:
Lithography jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lithography job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $112,963 per year, or $54.3 per hour.

Sr. Principal Lithography Engineer

Formfactor

Livermore, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 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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