Process Engineer – Dry Etch

Ignite Human Capital•Temecula, CA

2d•$100,000 - $150,000•Onsite

About The Position

We'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.

Requirements

Fab 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

Nice To Haves

U.S. persons" as defined by ITAR — a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident (green card holder), political asylee, or refugee.

Responsibilities

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