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Plasma Etch Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Plasma Dry Etch Engineer

Covington, GA · On-site

$90K - $150K/yr

Job Title: R&D Engineer - Dry Process (Plasma Etch /Plasma Ablation/ PVD) Expert for Advanced Packaging applications Location: Covington, GA Job Type: Full-Time About Us: Absolics is a leading ...

Job Title: R&D Engineer - Dry Process (Plasma Etch /Plasma Ablation/ PVD) Expert for Advanced Packaging applications Location: Covington, GA Job Type: Full-Time About Us: Absolics is a leading ...

Job Title: R&D Engineer - Dry Process (Plasma Etch /Plasma Ablation/ PVD) Expert for Advanced Packaging applications Location: Covington, GA Job Type: Full-Time About Us: Absolics is a leading ...

As a Dry Etch Process Engineer you will build, integrate, and optimize plasma etch processes that enable next-generation memory devices. You will work hands-on with etch equipment, chamber hardware ...

As a Dry Etch Process Engineer you will build, integrate, and optimize plasma etch processes that enable next-generation memory devices. You will work hands-on with etch equipment, chamber hardware ...

Experience in plasma etch processes and equipment * Manufacturing experience with surface mount technology (SMT) and microelectronics and automated assembly equipment * Statistical Process Control ...

Experience in plasma etch processes and equipment * Manufacturing experience with surface mount technology (SMT) and microelectronics and automated assembly equipment * Statistical Process Control ...

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Plasma Etch information

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How much do plasma etch jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for plasma etch in the United States is $21.45, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $24.52 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are plasma etch technicians?

Plasma etch technicians are specialized professionals who operate and maintain plasma etching equipment used in the manufacturing of semiconductors and microelectronic devices. They set up machines that use plasma—a highly energized gas—to precisely remove materials from silicon wafers, creating intricate patterns required for electronic circuits. Their responsibilities include monitoring processes, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring the quality and consistency of etched products. Plasma etch technicians typically work in cleanroom environments and must follow strict safety and cleanliness protocols.

What are some common challenges faced by plasma etch technicians, and how can they be addressed?

Plasma etch technicians often encounter challenges such as maintaining process consistency, troubleshooting equipment malfunctions, and ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols. Variations in materials or equipment performance can affect etch results, requiring careful monitoring and documentation. Effective communication with process engineers and maintenance teams is crucial for resolving issues quickly. Continuous training and attention to detail help technicians stay current with evolving technologies and best practices in semiconductor manufacturing.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Plasma Etch Technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Plasma Etch Technician, you need a background in semiconductor manufacturing, attention to detail, and knowledge of vacuum and plasma processes, typically supported by an associate's degree or relevant technical training. Familiarity with plasma etching tools (such as RIE and ICP systems), cleanroom protocols, and statistical process control software is essential. Problem-solving, teamwork, and strong communication skills help you identify and resolve process issues while collaborating with engineers and other technicians. These abilities are crucial for maintaining high-quality production, minimizing defects, and ensuring efficient operation in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

What is the difference between Plasma Etch vs Plasma Technician?

AspectPlasma EtchPlasma Technician
CredentialsTechnical certifications, associate degree often preferredTechnical certifications, associate degree often required
Work EnvironmentCleanroom, semiconductor manufacturing facilitiesCleanroom, semiconductor or electronics manufacturing facilities
Job FocusOperating plasma etching equipment to pattern materialsMaintaining, troubleshooting plasma etching equipment and processes
Industry UsageSemiconductor, electronics, nanotechnologySemiconductor, electronics, research labs

Both roles involve working with plasma etching equipment in high-tech manufacturing environments. Plasma Etch specialists primarily focus on executing etching processes, while Plasma Technicians handle maintenance, troubleshooting, and ensuring equipment performance. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the semiconductor industry.

More about Plasma Etch jobs
Infographic showing various Plasma Etch job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 91% Full Time, 1% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,624 per year, or $21.5 per hour.

Plasma Dry Etch Engineer

Absolics Inc

Covington, GA • On-site

$90K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 24 days ago


Job description

Job Title: R&D Engineer - Dry Process (Plasma Etch /Plasma Ablation/ PVD) Expert for Advanced Packaging applications
Location: Covington, GA
Job Type: Full-Time
About Us: Absolics is a leading provider of advanced packaging technologies and services, offering scalable solutions for businesses of high-performance computing. We offer smart, innovative services to dozens of clients globally. By dedicating our efforts to establishing large glass substrates with built-in active and passive elements, our goal is to provide significant improvement in signaling characteristics and power consumption compared to existing solutions.
Job Description:
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Dry Process Engineer to join our R&D team. In this role you will lead development of dry processing capabilities across plasma etch, physical vapor deposition, and plasma-based ablation steps for fabricating advanced packaging interconnect structures. This role sits at the intersection of thin-film metallization and dielectric patterning, requiring you to steer equipment and process qualification, process recipe development, and integration handoffs with lithography, wet process, and plating teams. You will be a primary technical owner for vacuum-based unit processes in a hands-on, early-stage R&D environment where design of experiment planning capabilities and rigorous root-cause analysis both matter.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Develop and qualify plasma etch, PVD seed deposition, and plasma ablation processes for RDL build up and interconnect structures
  • Help establish process flows that enable control of film uniformity, required via or trench step coverage and taper/sidewall profile, and layer-to-layer adhesion across the various plasma-based sub processes
  • Establish recipes and tune plasma chemistry and tool parameters to optimize etch selectivity and minimize defects (micro-masking, residue, undercut)
  • Perform root-cause and failure analysis on dry-process defects using SEM, XPS/AES, and electrical metrology
  • Assess plasma-induced damage risk (charging, UV effects) on dielectrics and downstream reliability
  • Collaborate with wet process and plating teams to ensure clean handoff of seed layers and trench/via structures

Required Skills
  • Hands-on experience with plasma etch process development (RIE, ICP, or barrel plasma) in a semiconductor or packaging environment
  • Direct experience with PVD sputter deposition of seed layers (Ti, TiW, Ta, Cu) including thickness uniformity, step coverage, and adhesion control
  • Experience with plasma-based dielectric ablation techniques/descum on organic or inorganic dielectrics (ABF, PBO, PSPI, polyimide)
  • Working knowledge of plasma chemistry fundamentals (O₂, CF₄, SF₆, Ar, N₂ chemistries) and their etch selectivity tradeoffs
  • Proficiency with vacuum system fundamentals: chamber pressure control, RF/ICP power coupling, gas flow control, end-point detection
  • Metrology and characterization skills: SEM, profilometry, XPS or AES for surface composition, four-point probe for film resistivity
  • DOE design and statistical analysis for process optimization (Minitab, JMP, or equivalent)
  • Root-cause and failure analysis experience for etch defects (micro-masking, undercut, residue, via taper control)

Preferred Skills
  • Experience with plasma descum/etch-back for via clean prior to metallization (organic dielectric residue removal)
  • Familiarity with PECVD or ALD for inorganic dielectric or barrier films (SiN, SiO₂, SiCN)
  • Experience tuning trench taper angle, sidewall profile, and CD bias for fine-pitch micro structures (≤10 µm)
  • Knowledge of dry plasma Ti seed removal as an alternative to wet etch (selectivity to underlying Cu RDL)
  • Familiarity with plasma uniformity modeling, chamber matching, or tool-to-tool variation reduction
  • Cross-process integration experience linking dry etch outcomes to downstream plating or CMP performance
  • Experience with reliability impact assessment of plasma-induced damage (charging, UV exposure effects on dielectrics)

Education
  • Ph.D. in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or related field preferred
  • M.S. with 3+ years of relevant industry or research experience considered

Benefits:
  • 401K 6% matching (NO vesting period)
  • Healthcare 100% support (Health, Dental, Vision)
  • Life, STD, LTD 100 % support
  • Cell phone allowance
  • PTO and self-development

SALARY:
  • $90,000 - $150,000