Process Engineer – Dry EtchSan Diego / Riverside, CA
Salary:
$100,000 - $150,000 DOEAbout the RoleWe're seeking a Dry Etch Process Engineer to support the development of manufacturable, repeatable, and high-yielding processes for advanced, highly specialized devices spanning aerospace, defense, bioelectronics, and high-speed communications. This is a hands-on role at the leading edge of silicon photonics, where your work directly shapes the performance and quality of next-generation product lines.
What You'll Do:- Collaborate with integration engineers, customers, and development engineers to run experiments and tune processes for fab operation
- Work alongside product engineering and integration teams to ensure smooth new product/process introductions and consistent device performance
- Guide and support process technicians through complex process steps
- Interpret metrology results and disposition lots against defined pass/fail criteria
- Summarize and report metrology findings, advising the integration and process development teams
- Deliver clear shift pass-downs to keep dry etch operations running without interruption
- Sustain and continuously improve wafer fabrication processes
- Partner with equipment engineering, operations, and management to strengthen cycle time, tool availability, quality, and yield
- Maintain working knowledge of all applicable codes and standards for assigned equipment using document control, work instructions, and manufacturing execution systems (MES)
- Ensure manufactured products meet specification and application requirements
- Resolve technical deviations by forming hypotheses, designing validating experiments, identifying root causes, implementing corrective actions, documenting improvements, and training operations
- Sustain established processes across RIE, DRIE, MRIE, ICP, microwave ashing, TCP, DRM, and barrel etching — including recipe creation, inspection, defect control, and standard metrology (e.g., ellipsometry, profilometry)
- Author and maintain operating specifications for production processes and equipment
- Monitor process health via Statistical Process Control (SPC) and act on out-of-control events per established action plans
- What You'll BringFab experience in dry etch processing using RIE, DRIE, MRIE, ICP, and microwave ashing
- Working experience with Statistical Process Control (SPC)
- Comfort with data extraction, analysis, and reporting
- Foundational understanding of semiconductor processing and algebraic concepts
- Ability to troubleshoot problems and drive to root cause
- Understanding of the maintenance activities needed to keep a process healthy and repeatable
- Ability to plan, prioritize, and manage multiple overlapping tasks against deadlines
- Hands-on capability to operate processing tools, write and run dry etch recipes, inspect wafers under a microscope, and perform particle/defect and thickness/uniformity characterization
- Availability for offset shifts — Front-End Days (Sun–Thu) or Back-End Days (Tue–Sat)BS in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, or related field + 9 years; MS + 7 years; or PhD + 4 years
Competencies: Hands-on mindset
- strong communication
- collaboration
- quick learner
- strong interpersonal skills
- self-starter
- prioritization
- accountability
- innovation
Work Environment
More than 80% of the work takes place in the fab — a temperature-controlled cleanroom requiring full-body gowning, over-boots, over-hood, safety glasses, and additional PPE. Expect frequent gowning/de-gowning, potential exposure to hazardous materials, and an environment with static noise and both auditory and visual alarms.
Physical Demands
Prolonged periods (up to ~3 hours) stationary, seated, standing, or walking the fab
Extended computer monitor viewing
Occasional pushing/pulling and lifting of 50+ lb objects (e.g., tool components), with occasional short carries
Frequent reaching, bending, twisting, squatting, kneeling, and stooping to access tools
Repetitive wrist/hand/finger motions; work in tight or confined spaces
Fine and gross motor handling for carrying cassettes and lot boxes
Constant PPE use
CompensationTotal compensation includes base salary plus overtime eligibility for non-exempt roles, along with a comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental, vision, 401(k), company-paid life and disability, paid holidays and vacation, and more).Work Authorization / ITARThis position sits at a facility operating under International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All applicants must be "U.S. persons" as defined by ITAR — a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident (green card holder), political asylee, or refugee.
