Wafer Photolithography Process Development Technician

Western Digital•Fremont, CA

6d•$81,000 - $108,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Wafer Photolithography Process Development Technician will support HAMR Photolithography Process Development. This role ensures high‑quality wafer processing through precise execution of lithography steps, equipment troubleshooting, and strict adherence to cleanroom protocols. The technician works closely with development engineering, process, and maintenance teams to develop photo process for advanced HAMR products.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent; technical certificate or associate degree in chemistry, electronics, manufacturing, or related field preferred.
Experience working in a wafer fab, cleanroom, or other high‑precision manufacturing environment.
Familiarity with photolithography processes, including resist coating, alignment, exposure, and development.
Ability to read and follow detailed SOPs, work instructions, and process documentation.
Strong attention to detail and ability to perform repetitive tasks with high accuracy.
Basic understanding of mechanical, electrical, or chemical systems.
Comfortable working with chemicals and wearing full cleanroom PPE for extended periods.
Ability to work 12‑hour shifts, nights, weekends, or rotating schedules as required.

Nice To Haves

Hands‑on experience with tools from ASML, Nikon, Canon, TEL, SUSS, or similar equipment vendors.
Knowledge of photoresists, developers, and lithography chemistry.
Experience with metrology tools such as CD‑SEM, AFM, or optical inspection systems.
Basic data analysis skills (Excel, SPC charts, yield tracking).
Strong troubleshooting skills and ability to identify process or equipment deviations.
Prior experience in high‑volume manufacturing (HVM) or advanced node lithography

Responsibilities

Operate photolithography tools such as coaters, developers, aligners, and steppers/scanners in a Class 1–100 cleanroom environment.
Perform wafer coating, soft bake, alignment, exposure, post‑exposure bake, and development steps according to process specifications and engineering instructions.
Inspect wafers using microscopes and metrology tools (e.g., CD‑SEM, profilometers, ellipsometers) to verify pattern quality and critical dimensions.
Monitor equipment performance, identify abnormalities, and escalate issues to engineering or maintenance teams.
Follow detailed standard operating procedures and maintain accurate production logs and documentation.
Handle photoresists, developers, solvents, and other chemicals safely while following all EHS protocols.
Support process improvement initiatives by providing data, observations, and feedback to engineers.
Maintain cleanroom discipline, including gowning, contamination control, and proper material handling.
Assist with root‑cause analysis for yield excursions or equipment faults.
Track and manage wafer lot identification, routing, and inventory throughout the photolithography process flow.
Participate in process characterization activities and design of experiments (DOE) to support process development and optimization.
Support equipment qualification and validation activities, including baseline data collection and performance verification.
Collaborate with process engineers and cross‑functional teams to troubleshoot process deviations and implement corrective actions.
Maintain detailed equipment logs, including tool performance metrics, maintenance records, and process parameter documentation.

Benefits

paid vacation time
paid sick leave
medical/dental/vision insurance
life, accident and disability insurance
tax-advantaged flexible spending and health savings accounts
employee assistance program
other voluntary benefit programs such as supplemental life and AD&D, legal plan, pet insurance, critical illness, accident and hospital indemnity
tuition reimbursement
transit
the Applause Program
employee stock purchase plan
the WD Savings 401(k) Plan