1

Pecvd Process Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Pecvd Process Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$56.1K

$104.2K

$161.4K

How much do pecvd process engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for pecvd process engineer in Washington, DC is $104,219.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,400.00 and $116,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a PECVD Process Engineer, you need a solid background in materials science, semiconductor processing, and chemical engineering, often supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with PECVD equipment, process characterization tools (such as ellipsometry, SEM, and profilometry), and statistical process control systems is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills in this role. These competencies are crucial for optimizing process performance, ensuring high product quality, and driving innovation in semiconductor manufacturing environments.

What are some common challenges a PECVD Process Engineer faces when optimizing thin film deposition processes?

PECVD Process Engineers often encounter challenges such as achieving uniform film thickness across large substrates, minimizing defects, and maintaining process stability over long production runs. Balancing deposition rate, film quality, and equipment throughput requires careful tuning of process parameters like gas flow, pressure, and plasma power. Collaboration with equipment maintenance teams and R&D is essential to resolve issues quickly and implement process improvements. Staying up-to-date with advancements in materials and plasma technology also plays a key role in overcoming these challenges.

What are PECVD Process Engineers?

PECVD Process Engineers are specialists who develop, optimize, and maintain Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) processes used in semiconductor manufacturing and related industries. They work with advanced equipment to deposit thin films on substrates, ensuring uniformity and high-quality results. Their responsibilities include process troubleshooting, equipment maintenance, and collaborating with other engineers to improve film performance and yield. PECVD Process Engineers play a critical role in producing microelectronic devices and other components requiring precise material deposition.
What job categories do people searching Pecvd Process Engineer jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Pecvd Process Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:
Sr. Detector/Instrument Engineer

Sr. Detector/Instrument Engineer

Columbus Technologies and Services Inc

Greenbelt, MD • On-site

$120K - $175K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

OVERVIEW

Must be a US Person or Permanent Resident
W2 with full benefits

Customer and contract specific training will be required and provided.

Location - Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) Greenbelt, MD (onsite)

Offer contingent on ability to successfully pass a background check and drug screen

Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position


JOB DESCRIPTION

  • The Columbus Technologies & Services at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center seeks a talented microfabrication engineer to advance our cutting-edge technology for internal projects. This exciting opportunity allows you to contribute directly to next-generation space exploration capabilities.
  • Senior Detector/Instrument Engineer Oversees and directs activities associated with detector/instrument engineering.
  • Develop and optimize microfabrication processes for MEMS devices
  • Troubleshoot process issues and implement solutions
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams in design, test, and integration
  • Document procedures and results according to industry standards
  • Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives for fabrication processes

REQUIRED SKILLS

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, physics, or related field; MS or PhD preferred

Minimum 3 years of hands-on experience in semiconductor or MEMS fabrication environments

Demonstrated expertise in photolithography processes including photoresist application, exposure systems, such as stepper tools or E-beam lithography, and pattern development

Comprehensive knowledge of thin film deposition methods including:

  • Physical vapor deposition (thermal/e-beam evaporation and sputtering)
  • Chemical vapor deposition (PECVD)
  • Thermal oxidation processes
  • Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD)
  • Proficiency in etching techniques including:
  • Wet chemical etching of metals and dielectric films
  • Plasma-based dry etching (RIE)
  • Deep Reactive Ion Etching (DRIE)
  • Specialty vapor phase etching (vapor HF and XeF2)
  • Experience operating metrology and characterization equipment:
  • Optical and electron microscopy
  • Ellipsometry for film thickness measurement
  • Stress measurement techniques for thin films
  • Electrical probing and device characterization

DESIRED SKILLS

  • Cleanroom experience in class 10-1000 environments
  • Familiarity with process integration and optimization
  • Experience with Design of Experiments methodology
  • Knowledge of MEMS design principles and fabrication challenges