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Optical Process Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Lam Research Corporation

Process Engineer 4

Fremont, CA · On-site

$104K - $231K/yr

The impact you'll make As a Process Engineer at Lam, you will operate on cutting-edge technology ... Develop and support metrology applications, with a focus on optical thin film technologies.

W3Global Inc.

Founding Process Engineer

Goleta, CA

$110K - $150K/yr

Develop and tune dry and wet etch processes for III-V optical material stacks. * Establish process ... D. in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or equivalent hands-on experience.

New

Semtech

Backend Process Engineer

Alhambra, CA · On-site

$100K - $135K/yr

The position also supports singulation, optical coatings, reliability readiness, and packaging ... Provide process engineering support for AR/HR optical coatings and vendor qualifications

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 ... Mechanical, optical, and chemical characterization of thin films using techniques such as ...

Lumilens

Sr. Process Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$121K - $157K/yr

From chip-to-chip optical interconnects to scalable photonic engines, Lumilens is unlocking a new ... Senior-level experience in semiconductor process engineering, process development, or process ...

New

PsiQuantum

Associate Process Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

By working with process engineers; fabricate and assemble electro-optical devices, including die attach, wire-bonding and inspection, with a focus on precision and quality. * Under the guidance of ...

PsiQuantum

Associate Process Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

By working with process engineers; fabricate and assemble electro-optical devices, including die attach, wire-bonding and inspection, with a focus on precision and quality. * Under the guidance of ...

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Optical Process Engineer information

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

To thrive as an Optical Process Engineer, you need a strong background in optics, physics, and engineering principles, often supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in optical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with optical design software (such as Zemax or Code V), cleanroom processes, and relevant manufacturing and metrology equipment is typically required. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills that help address complex technical challenges and collaborate across functions. These competencies are crucial for developing high-precision optical components and ensuring efficient, reliable manufacturing processes.

What does an Optical Process Engineer do?

An Optical Process Engineer designs, develops, and improves manufacturing processes for optical components such as lenses, mirrors, and filters. They work to ensure high-quality production by optimizing fabrication techniques, troubleshooting process issues, and collaborating with design and production teams. Their responsibilities often include process validation, quality control, and the integration of new technologies to enhance optical component performance and efficiency.

What are some common challenges faced by Optical Process Engineers in a manufacturing environment?

Optical Process Engineers often encounter challenges related to maintaining tight tolerances and consistent quality during the fabrication of optical components. Variations in material properties, precision alignment, and contamination control require careful process monitoring and troubleshooting. Additionally, scaling up from prototyping to full-scale production can introduce complexities in process stability, equipment calibration, and cross-functional collaboration with design and production teams. Staying up-to-date with evolving manufacturing technologies is also important to ensure process efficiency and product quality.
What are popular job titles related to Optical Process Engineer jobs in California? For Optical Process Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Optical Process Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Optical Process Engineer jobs in California are:
Optical Process Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optical Process Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.
Process Engineer 4

Process Engineer 4

Lam Research Corporation

Fremont, CA • On-site

$104K - $231K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday

Lam Research rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

45th of 427 rated machine equipment manufacturers

Job description

About this role
In the Global Products Group, we are dedicated to excellence in the design and engineering of Lam's etch and deposition products. We drive innovation to ensure our cutting-edge solutions are helping to solve the biggest challenges in the semiconductor industry.
The impact you'll make
As a Process Engineer at Lam, you will operate on cutting-edge technology, harnessing atomic precision, material science, and surface engineering to push technical boundaries. Your role involves developing new and advanced process formulations, defining equipment hardware to meet processing requirements, evaluating test data, and coordinating design requirements to ensure compatibility of processing methods. Your expertise and knowledge play a crucial role in our customers' success, making an impact on the next generation of semiconductor breakthroughs. In this role, you will directly contribute to optical thin film metrology.
What you'll do
  • Develop and support metrology applications, with a focus on optical thin film technologies.
  • Design and execute independent experiments; analyze data and provide actionable insights.
  • Own workflows and deliver timely, high-quality support to process technologists.
  • Apply Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Design of Experiments (DOE) methodologies to monitor and improve metrology performance.
  • Lead major phases of metrology lab development projects.
  • Track and evaluate key metrology assets using SPC tools.
  • Manage vendor relationships and effectively escalate issues as needed.
  • Mentor and guide junior engineers and technicians.
  • Collaborate across diverse teams in a matrixed environment.
  • Communicate clearly with internal stakeholders and external partners to align on goals and deliverables.
  • Self-driven and inquisitive: Possesses a proactive and curious mindset, capable of working independently with minimal direction, seeking solutions, and exploring innovative approaches to problem-solving.

Who we're looking for
  • PhD with a minimum of 3 years of related experience; or a Master of Science with 6+ years of relevant work experience; or a Bachelor's with 8+ years of relevant work experience.
  • Minimum 5 years of experience in optical metrology or materials characterization, especially in: Ellipsometry, OCD, J. A Woollam tool and thin film optical characterization.

Preferred qualifications
  • Optical Metrology: Prior experience with thin films, ellipsometry, and OCD metrology is highly preferred.
  • Strong organizational and multitasking abilities.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and proactively.
  • Solid understanding of Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Design of Experiments (DOE) methodologies.
  • Customer-focused mindset with a collaborative approach.
  • Experience with data analytics, Python, and AI tools is highly preferred.

Our commitment
We believe it is important for every person to feel valued, included, and empowered to achieve their full potential. By bringing unique individuals and viewpoints together, we achieve extraordinary results.
Lam Research ("Lam" or the "Company") is an equal opportunity employer. Lam is committed to and reaffirms support of equal opportunity in employment and non-discrimination in employment policies, practices and procedures on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, or military and veteran status or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. It is the Company's intention to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Company policy prohibits unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees.
Lam offers a variety of work location models based on the needs of each role. Our hybrid roles combine the benefits of on-site collaboration with colleagues and the flexibility to work remotely and fall into two categories - On-site Flex and Virtual Flex. 'On-site Flex' you'll work 3+ days per week on-site at a Lam or customer/supplier location, with the opportunity to work remotely for the balance of the week. 'Virtual Flex' you'll work 1-2 days per week on-site at a Lam or customer/supplier location, and remotely the rest of the time.
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Salary
CA San Francisco Bay Area Salary Range for this position: $104,000.00 - $231,000.00.
The above salary range for this position is relevant to applicants that reside or work onsite in the California, San Francisco Bay Area only. Salary offers will depend on factors that include the location you work from, your level, education, training, specific skills, years of experience and comparison to other employees already in this role. Actual salary may vary from salary offered due to numerous factors including but not limited to unpaid time off, unpaid leave, company mandated shutdown, and other relevant factors.
Our Perks and Benefits
At Lam, our people make amazing things possible. That's why we invest in you throughout the phases of your life with a comprehensive set of outstanding benefits.

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About Lam Research

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Lam Research designs and builds products for semiconductor manufacturing, including equipment for thin film deposition, plasma etch, photoresist strip, and wafer cleaning processes.

Industry

Manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Fremont, CA, US

Year founded

1980

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