Process Engineer (Etch)

Job Description Schedule:Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PMAbout the Role:We are seeking an experienced Etch Process Engineer (Quartz & Chamber Focus) to join our quartz spares manufacturing team supporting the semiconductor industry. This role is centered on driving plasma etch process stability, yield improvement, and chamber performance through deep understanding of quartz lifecycle behavior, contamination mechanisms, and plasma–material interactions. The engineer will work cross-functionally with equipment engineering, maintenance, and suppliers to ensure optimal chamber health and consistent wafer processing performance.Key Responsibilities:Develop and optimize plasma etch recipes for dielectric, polysilicon, and metal layersImprove critical process metrics including etch rate, selectivity, uniformity, and profile controlPerform Design of Experiments (DOE) to optimize process windows and stabilityManage lifecycle of quartz chamber components (focus rings, showerheads, liners, windows, edge rings)Define replacement intervals based on erosion, particle generation, devitrification, and plasma damageWork with vendors on material purity, machining tolerances, cleaning processes, and refurbishment strategiesMonitor chamber performance using SPC and particle dataIdentify failure modes including micro-cracking, devitrification, and surface rougheningConduct root cause analysis for yield excursions, particle adders, and process instabilityPartner with equipment engineering and maintenance teams on PM schedules and chamber qualificationDefine post-maintenance seasoning and qualification requirements to ensure stable tool performanceAnalyze defect and electrical test data to drive yield improvement and reduce process variationTroubleshoot etch issues such as non-uniformity, residue formation, micro-masking, and particle generationCorrelate quartz wear behavior with yield loss and process driftImprove quartz component durability and reduce cost per waferQualify new suppliers and evaluate refurbishment strategiesRequired Qualifications:2+ years of hands-on experience in semiconductor manufacturing with strong etch process experienceStrong experience with plasma etch tools, processes, and chamber behaviorProven experience diagnosing and resolving quartz or ceramic chamber component issuesWorking understanding of plasma etch fundamentals and chamber–plasma interactionsHands-on experience with SPC, DOE, and semiconductor metrology toolsStrong experience driving yield improvement, defect reduction, and process stability through data analysisChamber matching and tool-to-tool matching experiencePreferred Qualifications:Associate degree (AA) or Bachelor's degree (BS) in Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a related technical fieldExperience in high-volume semiconductor fabsExperience with advanced technology nodes (≤28nm preferred)Familiarity with quartz refurbishment and lifecycle management strategiesCost-per-wafer reduction and consumables optimization experienceWork Location:Remote (occasional on-site work in California required)