Senior Process Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Location: Sunnyvale, CA

Work Setting: 100% onsite semiconductor manufacturing environment

Compensation: $120,000 – $170,000 base salary, depending on experience

Relocation: Available on a case-by-case basis

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401(k), employee stock programs, paid time off, and comprehensive employer benefits package

Work Authorization: Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. The company is open to considering candidates requiring limited employment authorization support.

Position Summary

A global leader in photonics and semiconductor technology is seeking a Senior Photolithography Equipment Engineer to support a highly advanced wafer fabrication operation in Sunnyvale, California.

This role is responsible for the installation, qualification, maintenance, optimization, and long-term reliability of critical photolithography equipment supporting semiconductor manufacturing operations. The successful candidate will serve as a technical expert for assigned toolsets, partnering closely with Process Engineering, Manufacturing, Facilities, Maintenance, and equipment vendors to maximize uptime, improve process stability, and support production goals.

This is a highly hands-on engineering opportunity for someone who enjoys troubleshooting complex equipment, driving continuous improvement, and owning the long-term performance of critical manufacturing assets.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead installation, startup, qualification, and acceptance of new photolithography equipment

• Serve as the primary technical owner for assigned lithography toolsets and supporting systems

• Troubleshoot equipment failures and drive corrective actions to minimize downtime

• Improve equipment uptime, reliability, and overall manufacturing performance

• Support preventative maintenance programs and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) initiatives

• Partner with Process Engineers to resolve production issues and improve process stability

• Monitor equipment performance metrics and identify opportunities for continuous improvement

• Coordinate equipment upgrades, major repairs, and vendor-supported activities

• Develop and maintain equipment documentation, procedures, and maintenance records

• Support yield improvement initiatives through equipment optimization and performance enhancements

• Manage external vendors, service providers, and equipment-related projects

Required Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Electronics, Manufacturing Technology, or a related technical discipline

• 10+ years of semiconductor equipment engineering experience

• Strong experience supporting photolithography equipment within a wafer fabrication environment

• Experience with equipment qualification, installation, troubleshooting, and reliability improvement

• Strong understanding of semiconductor manufacturing operations and cleanroom environments

• Hands-on troubleshooting skills involving mechanical, electrical, vacuum, and automation systems

• Experience supporting preventative maintenance and equipment reliability programs

• Strong root cause analysis and problem-solving capabilities

• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional engineering and manufacturing teams

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting ASML, Canon, Nikon, or similar photolithography platforms

• Experience with semiconductor wafer fabrication processes

• TPM implementation and continuous improvement experience

• Data analysis or equipment performance monitoring experience

• Professional technical certifications

• Experience supporting advanced semiconductor, photonics, or optoelectronics manufacturing operations

• Exposure to etch, deposition, sputter, vacuum, or related semiconductor process equipment

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a senior semiconductor equipment engineer with deep photolithography expertise and a passion for improving manufacturing performance.

This person enjoys working directly with equipment, solving technical challenges, collaborating with process engineers, and driving measurable improvements in uptime, reliability, and process stability. They are comfortable operating in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and take ownership of equipment performance from installation through long-term sustainment.

Why This Opportunity

• Opportunity to support advanced semiconductor and photonics manufacturing technologies

• Significant ownership and technical influence over critical manufacturing equipment

• Exposure to new equipment installations, upgrades, and fab expansion activities

• Highly visible role supporting manufacturing performance and operational excellence

• Collaborative engineering culture with strong cross-functional engagement

• Opportunity to drive measurable improvements in reliability, uptime, and yield

• Long-term technical growth and leadership opportunities

• Stable global technology organization with continued investment in manufacturing capabilities