Photo Engineer – Lithography & Mask Layout
About The Position
The Photo Engineer – Lithography & Mask Layout position is a technical ownership role within an Indium Phosphide ( InP ) wafer fabrication facility supporting the manufacturing of DFB lasers, Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers (SOAs), and Gain Chip (GC) products. This role is responsible for end-to-end photolithography process development and manufacturing support, including full ownership of mask and reticle layout strategy, stepper and coat/develop track processes, and critical dimension (CD) and overlay control . The position serves as the primary lithography technical authority for InP device manufacturing, ensuring robust, repeatable, and high-yield lithography processes from tape- out through production. The role requires hands-on expertise in photolithography equipment, layout data preparation, process control, and yield improvement in a compound semiconductor wafer fab environment.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Chemical Engineering, or a related field
- Minimum of 5 + years of experience in semiconductor photolithography, with direct involvement in mask or reticle layout design
- Hands-on experience with lithography steppers/aligners and coat/develop track systems in a wafer fab environment
- Experience preparing, reviewing, and releasing mask layout data (GDS, layer definitions, alignment strategies)
- Strong understanding of photoresist processes, CD control, overlay metrology, and alignment schemes
- Familiarity with SPC and data-driven process control methodologies
- Experience interfacing with mask vendors and managing mask lifecycle activities
Nice To Haves
- Preferred experience in InP or III-V compound semiconductor wafer fabrication
- Familiarity with DFB lasers, photonic integrated circuits (PICs), or optical device manufacturing preferred
- Experience supporting high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environments preferred
- Knowledge of mask fabrication processes and mask-related yield risks preferred
Responsibilities
- Photolithography Process Ownership and Manufacturing Support (35%): Own end- to -end photolithography processes for InP -based wafer fabrication, including DFB lasers, SOAs, and gain chip products
- Develop, qualify, and maintain photoresist, exposure, develop, and post-lithography processes for front-end and back-end layers
- Provide day-to-day manufacturing support, troubleshooting lithography-related issues and responding to process excursions
- Support new product introduction (NPI), process transfers, and technology changes within the InP wafer fab
- Mask and Reticle Layout Ownership (25%) : Lead mask and reticle layout design for all lithography layers, including: Layer definition, tone selection , and biasing strategy Alignment mark strategy and overlay scheme definition Reticle floor planning and field layout considerations
- Serve as the primary technical owner for mask/reticle tape-out, review, release, and revision control
- Coordinate directly with design teams and mask vendors on layout rules, data preparation (GDS, layer mapping), and mask re-manufacture activities
- Ensure layout-for-manufacturability and lithography robustness across all device layers
- Lithography Equipment and Process Control Ownership (20%): Own stepper and coat/develop track tools, including process qualification, recipe management, and performance monitoring
- Define and maintain process control monitors (PCM/TCM) to ensure lithography process stability
- Drive CD and overlay performance through SPC, process window characterization, and data-driven root-cause analysis
- Partner with metrology and yield teams to improve lithography capability and reduce variability
- Yield Improvement and Defect Reduction (10%) : Lead lithography-related yield improvement initiatives and defect reduction efforts
- Analyze lithography-related yield loss mechanisms and implement corrective actions
- Support cross-functional yield reviews and excursion investigations
- Documentation, Compliance, and Cross-Functional Collaboration (10% ) : Develop and maintain lithography process documentation, SOPs, travelers, and control plans
- Ensure compliance with internal manufacturing standards and quality systems
- Work cross-functionally with design, process, equipment, and manufacturing teams to support production goals
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Number of Employees
501-1,000 employees
