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Silicon Wafer Processing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Engineer I

San Diego, CA · On-site

$62K - $105K/yr

... procurement, silicon wafer etching, silicon wafer cleaning etc. * Perform failure analysis ... Prior hands-on experience in coating equipment and PVD/CVD coating processes highly desired. This ...

Process Technician

Goleta, CA · On-site

$58K - $78K/yr

... processing silicon wafers in a cleanroom environment. Process could include lithography, plasma ... Direct experience with one or more key wafer fabrication processes is helpful * Familiarity and/or ...

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Silicon Wafer Processing information

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How much do silicon wafer processing jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for silicon wafer processing in the United States is $21.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $23.08 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Silicon Wafer Processing vs Semiconductor Equipment Technician?

AspectSilicon Wafer ProcessingSemiconductor Equipment Technician
CredentialsTechnical certifications, associate degrees in electronics or materials scienceTechnical certifications, associate degrees, or technical training in equipment maintenance
Work EnvironmentCleanroom environments focused on wafer fabricationManufacturing floors with equipment maintenance and troubleshooting
Industry UsageUsed in semiconductor fabrication plants for wafer productionSupports wafer processing by maintaining and repairing equipment

Silicon Wafer Processing involves the fabrication and handling of silicon wafers in cleanroom settings, focusing on processes like doping, etching, and deposition. Semiconductor Equipment Technicians maintain and repair the machinery used in wafer processing. While both roles require technical skills and certifications, Silicon Wafer Processing emphasizes process execution, whereas Equipment Technicians focus on equipment maintenance and troubleshooting.

What is silicon wafer processing?

Silicon wafer processing is the set of manufacturing steps used to turn raw silicon into semiconductor wafers that are used in electronic devices. This process includes crystal growth, wafer slicing, surface polishing, and a series of treatments such as doping, oxidation, photolithography, etching, and deposition. Each step is crucial for creating the tiny electronic circuits found in modern integrated circuits and microchips. Precise control and cleanliness are essential to ensure high-quality, defect-free wafers for use in the semiconductor industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Silicon Wafer Processing, and why are they important?

To thrive in Silicon Wafer Processing, you need a solid understanding of semiconductor manufacturing principles, cleanroom protocols, and quality control, often backed by a degree or technical training in engineering or materials science. Familiarity with photolithography equipment, etching tools, and process control systems—plus certifications like Six Sigma—are commonly required. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and effective teamwork are essential soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure precise manufacturing, minimize defects, and support efficient, high-yield wafer production in a highly technical environment.

What are the most common challenges faced in a silicon wafer processing role, and how can they be managed effectively?

In silicon wafer processing roles, common challenges include maintaining cleanroom standards, ensuring process consistency, and troubleshooting equipment malfunctions. Operators must rigorously follow protocols to prevent contamination, as even minor particles can affect wafer quality. It’s also important to work closely with engineering and quality assurance teams to quickly address process deviations or yield issues. Staying proactive about equipment maintenance and regularly updating technical skills can help manage these challenges effectively and contribute to a smoother workflow.
Infographic showing various Silicon Wafer Processing job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% As Needed, 14% Full Time, and 81% Part Time. Highlights an 95% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,984 per year, or $21.1 per hour.

Manufacturing Technical Program Manager

AttoTude

Menlo Park, CA • On-site

$150K - $220K/yr

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

About AttoTude, The World's First THz Radio Over Wire
AttoTude is at the forefront of revolutionizing data centers through advanced interconnect technology based on wired THz transceivers. By adapting the fiber from photonics and advancing today's ASICs to THz, our innovative AttoEngine eliminates networking bottlenecks, enabling high-speed interconnects for AI data centers.
Job Summary
The Manufacturing Technical Program Manager (MFG TPM) leads the development, industrialization, and execution of advanced manufacturing technologies spanning wafer fabrication, innovative wire solutions, and precision alignment/assembly processes. The role owns technical program strategy, readiness milestones, and execution cadence to mature new technologies from early development through high-volume production.
Serving as a technical bridge across R&D, wafer fabs, OSATs, Manufacturing Engineering, and CMs, the MFG TPM ensures alignment between design intent, process capability, yield, and manufacturing readiness across globally distributed teams. The role combines strong wafer-fab technical understanding with disciplined program leadership and hands-on problem solving to support advanced datacenter hardware platforms.
Key Responsibilities
  • Own end-to-end technical execution of NPI programs from technology development through production ramp.
  • Drive concurrent development with R&D, aligning device architecture, process flows, and manufacturing strategy.
  • Lead wafer fabrication industrialization, including lithography, deposition, etch, CMP, metrology, and yield ramp.
  • Define and manage technology readiness milestones, build gates, and technical risk mitigation.
  • Act as the primary technical integrator and escalation point across fabs, OSATs, Manufacturing Engineering, and CMs.
  • Transition technologies from pilot builds into high-volume fab and manufacturing environments.
  • Establish yield learning, SPC, and control strategies and lead root cause resolution for process and reliability issues.
  • Own technical change control and ensure clear, consistent communication across sites and partners.

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related discipline (Master's preferred).
  • 8+ years of experience in technology development, wafer fabrication, or advanced manufacturing NPI.
  • Proven experience leading wafer-level or semiconductor-based products through production ramp.
  • Ability to manage complex technical programs across multiple teams, sites, and manufacturing partners.
  • Experience working directly with wafer fabs, OSATs, and external manufacturing partners.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Hands-on experience with silicon wafer fab processes (lithography, etch, deposition, CMP, metrology).
  • Experience with advanced packaging or interposers.
  • Familiarity with high-performance interconnects (wires, cables, connectors).
  • Experience supporting datacenter, HPC, or performance-critical hardware.

Key Competencies
  • Technology development and industrialization
  • Wafer fab and process integration
  • Technical program ownership
  • Cross-functional and cross-site communication
  • Yield, reliability, and manufacturability optimization

AttoTude is an equal opportunity employer. We're committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.
Annual Salary Range
$150,000-$220,000 USD