SMTS Quantum Etch Engineer
About The Position
The Etch Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (AME) SMTS is a senior technical leader responsible for plasma-etch and pattern-transfer technologies supporting next-generation quantum devices and manufacturing platforms. The role develops advanced etch processes for conventional semiconductor and specialty materials used in emerging quantum technologies, bridging device and integration requirements with equipment capability, process development, contamination control, manufacturing readiness, and supplier technology roadmaps. The position provides technical leadership for quantum technology programs, including process and equipment development, quantum PDKs, module development, engineering experiments, prototypes, customer demonstrations, process-of-record establishment, and process transfer when required. It also provides technical direction and mentorship, leads cross-functional reviews and supplier engagements, and contributes intellectual property through invention disclosures, patents, publications, and novel process or equipment concepts. The role is expected to perform all activities safely and responsibly and support Environmental, Health, Safety & Security requirements and programs.
Requirements
- BS, MS, or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
- Significant semiconductor process development, technology development, or advanced manufacturing experience.
- Demonstrated expertise in the relevant process sector and semiconductor process optimization.
- Experience integrating the process with adjacent unit processes and metrology.
- Experience using DOE, statistical analysis, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
- Demonstrated ability to independently lead technically complex development programs.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills across engineering, supplier, and leadership organizations.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with ICP, CCP, RIE, and/or other advanced plasma-processing platforms.
- Experience etching silicon, silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, metals, superconducting materials, compound semiconductors, or other specialty materials.
- Experience with low-damage plasma processing and highly sensitive surface or interface requirements.
- Experience with atomic-layer etch or other highly controlled pattern-transfer approaches.
- Knowledge of photonics, superconducting devices, quantum devices, MEMS, heterogeneous integration, or advanced packaging.
- Experience working directly with major semiconductor etch-equipment suppliers.
- Experience transferring development processes to manufacturing.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the QTS technical authority for plasma etch, dry etch, and advanced pattern-transfer technologies.
- Develop and optimize etch processes for quantum device and module integration across silicon, dielectric, metal, compound-semiconductor, and specialty materials.
- Optimize etch profile, selectivity, critical dimension control, uniformity, loading, residue, surface condition, and defectivity.
- Partner with lithography, deposition, cleans, metrology, and integration engineers on complete pattern-transfer solutions.
- Manage plasma-induced damage and surface or interface effects that may impact sensitive quantum structures.
- Design and execute DOEs to establish robust process windows and identify process interactions.
- Define etch-equipment requirements for emerging quantum applications and assess Fab 8 and Fab 9 capabilities against QTS needs.
- Lead technical evaluation and qualification of new chambers, hardware configurations, process options, and equipment upgrades.
- Establish chamber and hardware requirements for specialty or contamination-sensitive materials and develop QTS etch technology and equipment roadmaps.
- Lead technical engagement with strategic etch-equipment suppliers and translate supplier roadmaps into QTS capability plans.
- Provide etch leadership for quantum PDKs, module development, engineering experiments, prototypes, and customer demonstrations.
- Lead root-cause investigations involving etch profiles, residues, selectivity, defects, process drift, chamber condition, or downstream electrical or device performance.
- Establish process-of-record conditions and manufacturing-control strategies.
- Support process transfer and matching across equipment and manufacturing locations when required.
- Serve as a senior etch expert across QTS and its fab AME interfaces, mentor engineers, and provide technical direction.
- Lead cross-functional technical reviews and structured problem-solving activities and influence long-range QTS etch-equipment and capability strategy.
- Drive supplier technical reviews, demonstrations, and technology evaluations.
- Generate intellectual property through invention disclosures, patents, publications, and novel process or equipment concepts.
- Perform activities safely and responsibly and support Environmental, Health, Safety & Security requirements and programs.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
