Sr. Foundry Process Engineer Technical Lead

Blackwatch International•Sacramento, CA

3h•Onsite

About The Position

Step into a career‑defining role as a Principal Foundry Process Equipment Engineer at Blackwatch, serving as a key deputy to program leadership in the creation of a brand‑new cleanroom fabrication capability for the Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA). In this role, you will not only coordinate major workstreams and technical execution—you will also take a visible, hands‑on role in bringing new equipment and process modules online. You’ll directly support capital equipment projects from concept through production, including requirements definition, vendor interaction, on‑floor tool installation, cleanroom coordination, and execution of qualification activities. Working side‑by-side with vendors, facilities, and module owners, you will help ensure the cleanroom, utilities, and infrastructure are physically ready for tool arrival, installation, and startup. This hybrid technical/deputy program role blends high‑level coordination with practical, in‑the‑fab engagement, ensuring that equipment, facilities, and operational readiness stay tightly aligned.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related STEM discipline.
10+ years of semiconductor process equipment engineering experience with deep expertise in at least one module (Epi, Thin Films, Wet, Diffusion, Implant, Metrology, Test & Measurement, or Cleanroom Facilities) and broad exposure across multiple areas.
Demonstrated success supporting equipment acquisition, installation, and qualification—including hands‑on involvement during vendor install activities, tool bring‑up, checkout, and production release.
Proven ability to work safely and effectively in cleanroom environments, including direct interaction with complex tools, process chemicals, and on‑floor installation activities.
Strong communication, teaming, and mentoring skills; ability to coordinate complex multidisciplinary efforts as a technical lead or deputy program manager while remaining actively engaged in technical execution.
U.S. Citizenship and an active or obtainable Secret security clearance (firm requirement).

Nice To Haves

MS/PhD in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline.
Demonstrated leadership as a senior/principal engineer with experience coordinating technical teams, guiding equipment readiness, and mentoring staff while also participating directly in hands‑on installation, qualification, or troubleshooting.
Strong background collaborating with Facilities Engineering and construction teams on cleanroom readiness, utility hookups, sub‑fab integration, or infrastructure modifications, preferably with direct verification or on‑tool validation experience.
Demonstrated capability in technology development through production transfer, including executing DOE/SPC activities, running test wafers, and performing tool/process characterization in R&D or low‑volume/high‑mix settings.
Prior experience supporting Federal or DoD R&D facilities, including adherence to structured safety, compliance, and security protocols.

Responsibilities

Serve as a deputy program manager for the cleanroom buildout—coordinating project plans, schedules, risks, and cross‑team execution—while remaining closely engaged with day‑to‑day technical and installation activities in the fab.
Coordinate major capital equipment acquisition and installation, including hands‑on participation during tool delivery, vendor installation activities, hookup verification, and early system bring‑up.
Drive facilities and installation readiness by working directly in the cleanroom and sub‑fab with Facilities Engineering, construction teams, and tool vendors to verify utilities, chemical systems, exhaust, and infrastructure modifications ahead of tool startup.
Support program leadership in tracking progress across facility upgrades, tool installation, and module ramp—ground‑truthing schedules through direct observation of installation progress and on-tool execution.
Maintain lifecycle equipment ownership: author specifications, participate in vendor selection, oversee FAT/SAT, manage installation/start-up, perform or lead qualification execution (PQ), and ensure smooth handoff to operations.
Collaborate across engineering, facilities, and operations teams, actively engaging in technical tasks such as checkout, calibration coordination, test wafer runs, recipe verification, and troubleshooting to ensure readiness for module integration.
Support definition of capital plans and multi‑year capability roadmaps informed by practical experience with tool performance, installation constraints, and fab infrastructure needs.
Ensure operational and facility readiness by developing procedures, acceptance criteria, SPC/monitoring plans, and safety documentation, and performing on‑floor validation in coordination with EHS and Facilities.