Sr. Thin Film Manufacturing Engineer (52367)

FLSA Status: Exempt. Reports to: Manager, Thin Film Manufacturing Engineering. This position is located in Milpitas, California.

About the role

The Sr. Thin Film Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for monitoring, sustaining, and supporting day-to-day thin film manufacturing processes utilizing ion beam techniques. Key responsibilities include providing technical support to ensure process reliability, verifying process robustness through experimentation, improving efficiency of deposition and dry etching processes, developing cost-reducing methodologies, conducting root cause analysis, and optimizing production yields.

Responsibilities

• Monitors, sustains, and supports day-to-day thin film manufacturing processes, programs, and activities
• Ensures process reliability by providing technical support to operators, technicians, and other engineers
• Collaborates with development team regarding new thin film process integration and manufacturing process improvements
• Improves the efficiency of deposition and/or dry etching processes by analyzing data, conducting experiments, and researching alternative methods to reduce scrap
• Designs and conducts experiments to verify process robustness with characterization of process latitudes
• Develops and implements practices or methodologies which lower cost, reduce cycle time, and improve operational efficiency
• Conducts root cause analysis and implements corrective action if required
• Responds to inquiries from other team members, managers, or departments
• Uses Statistical Process Control (SPC) to analyze product quality data; develops charts or reports and presents findings before groups or teams
• Adheres to all safety policies and procedures as required
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical or Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or Physics and/or equivalent relevant experience
• Five years of hands-on experience working in thin film fabrication or semiconductor industry in manufacturing or process engineering role
• Familiar with semiconductor device testing, including I-V, C-V, M-H Hysteresis, and Magnetoresistivity
• Hands-on experience in SPC and Design of Experiments (DOE)
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Applications

Skills

• Strong knowledge of thin film fabrication techniques and tools such as PVD/CVD/ALD/RIE
• Knowledge of TMR sensor and HDD manufacturing processes (useful but not required)
• Knowledge of surface analytical/materials characterization techniques, including XRD, AFM, TEM, SEM, and FIB
• Knowledge and experience using JMP or Excel and the ability to create macro formulas
• Ability to design experiments, analyze results, and recommend corrective action
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with all levels of contractors, employees, and management
• Ability to work productively and collaboratively with all levels of employees and management
• Critical thinking to resolve issues, conduct root cause analysis, and make recommendations for process improvements
• Demonstrated organizational, time management, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills
• Flexible and able to prioritize

Working Conditions

• Primarily works in an office environment from Monday through Friday; schedule may be altered to meet business or operational needs
• Works in a class 100 ESD-sensitive wafer manufacturing facility; wears a cleanroom (bunny) suit, including hood, gloves, safety glasses, booties, and mask
• May be exposed to hazardous conditions, chemicals, fumes, and/or gases; may be exposed to loud noise
• Involves standing, walking, bending, and twisting; performs various fine grasping movements
• Operates a computer, telephone, and other office equipment
• May occasionally be required to push, pull, or lift up to 30 pounds

Pay

The annual base salary for this full-time position is between $141,568.35 and $201,188.75, plus bonus target and benefits. Individual pay within this range may differ based on job responsibilities, job-related knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience.