Process Development Engineer, Photolithography

Process Development Engineer, Photolithography

Job Purpose

The Photolithography Process Development Engineer is responsible to help support the development of manufacturable, repeatable, and high yielding processes for state-of-the-art highly specialized devices in the fields of Aerospace, Defense, Bioelectronics, and High-Speed Communications.  

Essential Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential responsibilities.

·         Partner with Integration Engineers, Customers, and Other Development Engineers to execute experiments, and adjust or optimize processes for Fab Operation. 

·         Partner with Product Engineering and Integration to help ensure effective new products and process introductions as well as consistent device performance and quality. 

·         Guide and assist Process Technicians through challenging process steps.

·         Analyze metrology results and disposition lots based on data and pass/fail criteria.

·         Report and summarize results from the metrology analysis and provide guidance to Integration Engineering Team and Process Development Engineering Team.

·         Provide effective pass-downs to support uninterrupted operation in the photolithography area.

·         Sustain and improve processes for wafer fabrication.

·         Partner with equipment engineering, operation, and management to improve cycle time, tool availability, quality and product yields.

·         Using Document Control, Process Work Instructions, and Manufacturing Execution Systems, preserve working knowledge of all codes and standards applicable to assigned production equipment.

·         Assure that the manufactured products conform to specifications and application requirements.

·         Partner with Senior Development Engineering team and Integration teams to resolve deviations or technical issues by establishing a list of hypotheses, defining the experiment to validate or invalidate hypothesis, identify root-causes, implement corrective actions, document improved process, and train operations  

·         Sustain existing processes in the areas of, 193 scanners, i-line steppers, links, coater tracks for both 193 and i-line resists, CDSEM, Overlay, thick resist coats, polyimide coats, stepper jobs creations, inspections, defects control, and environments control.

·         Create and maintain operating specifications for production processes and equipment.

·         Monitor process health with Statistical Process Control (SPC) and respond to out-of-control event following out-of-control action plans.

Competencies

·         Hands-on mindset

·         Excellent Communication skills

·         Collaboration

·         Quick Learner

·         Strong interpersonal skills

·         Self-starter

·         Prioritization

·         Accountability

·         Innovative

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Work Environment

80%+ of work is performed in the Fab, which a temperature-controlled cleanroom environment that requires the use of a full-body gown, over-boots, over-hood, safety glasses, and other PPE.  The use of personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to hazardous materials can be expected. Frequent gowning and de-gowning is required. Frequent interruptions, static noise, and alarms (auditory and flashing lights) can be expected.

Physical Demands

• Frequently in a stationary position, often sitting and/or standing for prolonged periods (3 hours)
• Frequently viewing a computer monitor for prolonged periods (3 hours)
• Frequently walking around the Fab for prolonged periods (3 hours)
• Occasionally required to push and/or pull 50+ lbs objects, such as tool components
• Occasionally required to lift 50+ lbs and occasionally carry that amount short distances (# ft)
• Occasionally required reach, bend, twist, squat, kneel, and stoop to access and work on tools in the Fab
• May often require repetitive motions involving the wrists, hands, and/or fingers
• May require different positions and motions in tight and confined spaces
• Occasionally required to handle items using small ranges of motion (e.g. fingers and hands) and large ranges of motion (e.g., full-arms and shoulders) for carrying cassettes and lot boxes
• Constantly required to wear PPE

Travel Requirements

Less than 25% anticipated

Required Education and Experience

·         Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Material & Science, Physics or Chemistry with 10+ years of experience

·         Master’s degree in in Electrical Engineering, Material & Science, Physics or Chemistry with 7+ years of experience

·         Processing experience in a fab in the areas of Photolithography using DUV scanners, I-line steppers

·         Experience with Statistical Process Control (SPC)

·         Basic understanding of algebraic concepts

·         Data extraction, analysis, and reporting experience

·         Basic understanding of Semiconductor processing

·         Ability to troubleshoot basic problems and address root causes

·         Ability to understand all maintenance activity details required to ensure a healthy and repeatable process

·         Ability to plan and prioritize activities, perform and monitor multiple overlapping tasks/operations to meet goals and timelines

·         Ability to operate processing tools, write and run stepper jobs, CDSEM, and Overlay recipes, inspect wafers under the microscope, and perform basic characterization related to Photolithography processing with particles / defects metrology, and thickness / uniformity metrology

·         Must be able to work offset shifts: Front-End Days (starts on Sundays, ends on Thursdays) or Back-End Days (starts on Tuesdays, ends Saturdays).

Preferred Education and Experience

·         PhD in Electrical Engineering, Material & Science, Physics or Chemistry with 1-3 years of experience

·         Advanced degree and experience in a development environment

·         Processing experience with thick resists and polyimides