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Senior Etch Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Process Engineer

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$200K - $300K/yr

Ownership of fabrication strategies in lithography, deposition, and etch, as well as designing ... Demonstrated experience handling delicate samples and operating complex fabrication and ...

Recommends and implements modifications for operating equipment to improve production efficiency ... Proven track record of technical ownership and delivery of dry etch process innovations that ...

Recommends and implements modifications for operating equipment to improve production efficiency ... Proven track record of technical ownership and delivery of dry etch process innovations that ...

Recommends and implements modifications for operating equipment to improve production efficiency ... Proven track record of technical ownership and delivery of dry etch process innovations that ...

Recommends and implements modifications for operating equipment to improve production efficiency ... Proven track record of technical ownership and delivery of dry etch process innovations that ...

Recommends and implements modifications for operating equipment to improve production efficiency ... Proven track record of technical ownership and delivery of dry etch process innovations that ...

Recommends and implements modifications for operating equipment to improve production efficiency ... Strong command of plasma etch fundamentals, including plasma generation, plasma-surface ...

Recommends and implements modifications for operating equipment to improve production efficiency ... Strong command of plasma etch fundamentals, including plasma generation, plasma-surface ...

Recommends and implements modifications for operating equipment to improve production efficiency ... Strong command of plasma etch fundamentals, including plasma generation, plasma-surface ...

Recommends and implements modifications for operating equipment to improve production efficiency ... Proven track record of technical ownership and delivery of dry etch process innovations that ...

Recommends and implements modifications for operating equipment to improve production efficiency ... Proven track record of technical ownership and delivery of dry etch process innovations that ...

Recommends and implements modifications for operating equipment to improve production efficiency ... Proven track record of technical ownership and delivery of dry etch process innovations that ...

Recommends and implements modifications for operating equipment to improve production efficiency ... Proven track record of technical ownership and delivery of dry etch process innovations that ...

Recommends and implements modifications for operating equipment to improve production efficiency ... Strong command of plasma etch fundamentals, including plasma generation, plasma-surface ...

Recommends and implements modifications for operating equipment to improve production efficiency ... Proven track record of technical ownership and delivery of dry etch process innovations that ...

Recommends and implements modifications for operating equipment to improve production efficiency ... Proven track record of technical ownership and delivery of dry etch process innovations that ...

Recommends and implements modifications for operating equipment to improve production efficiency ... Proven track record of technical ownership and delivery of dry etch process innovations that ...

Recommends and implements modifications for operating equipment to improve production efficiency ... Proven track record of technical ownership and delivery of dry etch process innovations that ...

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Senior Etch Operator information

See salary details

$25K

$80.3K

$163.5K

How much do senior etch operator jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior etch operator in the United States is $80,287.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,500.00 and $103,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What jobs pay $10,000 a month without a degree?

Senior Etch Operators in manufacturing or semiconductor industries can earn around $10,000 per month with extensive experience and technical skills, often without requiring a college degree. High-paying roles in trades such as commercial diving, elevator installation, or specialized technical fields may also reach this income level through certifications and on-the-job training. These positions typically involve skilled labor, safety training, and sometimes shift work or overtime to achieve higher earnings.

What jobs pay 2000 a day?

Senior Etch Operators typically do not earn $2000 a day; such high daily pay is usually associated with specialized roles like executive consultants, high-level contractors, or certain freelance professionals in fields like technology, finance, or consulting. These roles often require extensive experience, certifications, or unique skills and may involve project-based or contract work with high compensation rates.

What is the difference between Senior Etch Operator vs Etch Operator?

AspectSenior Etch OperatorEtch Operator
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; experience in etching processes; sometimes certifications in manufacturing or safetyHigh school diploma or equivalent; basic training in etching equipment
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, cleanrooms, semiconductor or electronics industriesManufacturing facilities, electronics or semiconductor industries
ResponsibilitiesOverseeing etching processes, troubleshooting, mentoring junior staff, quality controlOperating etching equipment, monitoring process parameters, basic troubleshooting

The main difference between a Senior Etch Operator and an Etch Operator lies in experience and responsibilities. Senior Etch Operators typically have more experience, take on supervisory tasks, and handle complex troubleshooting, while Etch Operators focus on operating equipment and monitoring processes. Both roles are essential in manufacturing environments like semiconductor fabrication, but the senior role involves greater oversight and expertise.

What is the highest paying heavy equipment operator job?

Senior Etch Operators are specialized roles within manufacturing or semiconductor industries and typically do not fall under heavy equipment operators. Among heavy equipment operators, crane operators and pipeline operators tend to have the highest salaries, especially with certifications and experience. These roles often require specialized skills, certifications, and working in demanding environments, which contribute to higher pay scales.

What jobs pay $500,000 a year in the US?

Senior Etch Operators typically do not earn $500,000 annually; such high salaries are usually found in executive roles, specialized medical professionals, or successful entrepreneurs. High-paying jobs often require advanced skills, extensive experience, or ownership of a business. Most roles in manufacturing or technical fields have lower salary ranges, with top executives and certain specialists reaching higher compensation levels.
More about Senior Etch Operator jobs
What cities are hiring for Senior Etch Operator jobs? Cities with the most Senior Etch Operator job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Etch Operator jobs? The most popular types of Etch Operator jobs are:
What states have the most Senior Etch Operator jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Etch Operator jobs include:
Infographic showing various Senior Etch Operator job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 17% As Needed, 9% Full Time, 9% Temporary, 35% Contract, and 30% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,287 per year, or $38.6 per hour.
Senior Process Engineer

Senior Process Engineer

Substrate

San Francisco, CA โ€ข On-site

$200K - $300K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Collaborate with the technical team to conceptualize, design, prototype, and characterize nanofabricated optical devices.

  • Perform hands-on fabrication of MEMS/NEMS devices using techniques such as lithography, deposition, and etching in various user facilities.

  • Design, coordinate, and conduct experiments, and record, process, and interpret data and results to the wider team.


Job description

Senior Process Engineer
Substrate is addressing one of the most important technological problems facing the United States. At the intersection of advanced manufacturing and cutting-edge physics, we are developing technologies that will reshape the semiconductor industry and strengthen America's technological leadership. We are a team of world-class scientists, engineers, and technical experts building technology for the United States.
Summary
You will be responsible for conceptualizing and prototyping critical components of our platform through process development and materials characterization. This role will require you to work hands-on in several cleanrooms and user facilities around the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as direct the work of others. You will own aspects of our fabrication process, conducting a mix of micro- and nanofabrication as well as characterization of the materials and structures that you create. This hands-on work will include (but will not be limited to) many nanofabrication techniques including lithography, wet and dry deposition and etching.
You will also participate in the build-up of Substrate's own internal research facilities. You will be a key contributor to early-stage development and testing which are critical to our challenging mission to shape the semiconductor industry for decades to come.
Responsibilities
  • Collaborating closely with Substrate's technical team to conceptualize, design, prototype, and characterize nanofabricated optical devices
  • Hands-on fabrication of MEMS/NEMS devices using techniques such as photo- and electron beam lithography, thin film deposition, and wet and dry etching. This work will be done in several user facilities (primarily around the San Francisco Bay Area, but with the possibility of travel beyond the Bay Area)
  • Ownership of fabrication strategies in lithography, deposition, and etch, as well as designing process flows, material compatibility studies, and mask layout CAD
  • Iterating through structural designs and tuning lithography, deposition, and etch parameters to optimize processes and improve performance
  • Mechanical, optical, and chemical characterization of thin films using techniques such as profilometry, ellipsometry, and XPS
  • Characterization of pattern fidelity and resolution using techniques such as SEM and AFM
  • Select and scope bulk material, nanopatterned structures, and thin film characterization strategies to better study the mechanical, chemical, and optical properties that drive device performance
  • Designing, coordinating, and conducting experiments in various user facilities
  • Contribution to the build-up and installation of Substrate's own internal research facilities
  • Recording, processing and interpreting data and results to the wider team
Required Qualifications
  • 7 years of hands-on micro- or nanofabrication experience in cleanroom user facilities
  • Demonstrated ability to lead work safely and collaboratively in a cleanroom user facility
  • Willingness and ability to work in several user facilities around the San Francisco Bay Area several days per week
  • Demonstrated experience handling delicate samples and operating complex fabrication and characterization equipment
  • Deep understanding of, and ability to design based on, micro- and nanofabrication considerations such as top-down vs. bottom-up, pattern transfer, material compatibilities, etch selectivity and directionality, and thin film and surface engineering
  • Deep understanding of the mechanical, optical, and chemical properties of materials which typically determine the performance of nanofabricated devices
  • Strong written and oral communication skills. High attention to detail and organizational skills
  • Ability to solve complex design challenges both independently and as part of a team
  • Ability to collaborate with a large and multidisciplinary technical group
  • M.S. or higher degree in chemical engineering, electrical engineering, materials science, mechanical engineering, physics, or a related discipline in the physical or engineering sciences
Preferred Qualifications
  • 5+ years of hands-on experience in characterization techniques such as electron microscopy and scanning probe microscopy
  • Experience operating a Raith EBPG 5200/5200+, including aligned exposures
  • 3+ years of hands-on experience in inductively coupled plasma etching, with a strong understanding of the principles of plasma etching and recipe parameters
  • 3+ years of experience in industrial R&D
  • Experience with instrument scoping, procurement, installation, and commissioning
  • Experience with safety procedures and best practices when working with potentially hazardous liquid chemicals

Salary Range
$200,000-$300,000 USD
Substrate is an equal opportunity employer. It provides equal employment opportunity to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, gender, age, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.
Substrate will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need an accommodation during the hiring process, please let your recruiter know.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.