R&D Team Leader Dry Etch

1000scholars; Vlaams-Brabant; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Imec in Leuven, Belgium is seeking an R&D Team Leader for the Dry Etch group. You will lead a team of engineers developing next-generation plasma etch solutions for advanced logic, memory, and 3D integration.

You will drive technical leadership, people development, and project execution to deliver innovative dielectric etch processes. You will collaborate with multiple teams to ensure integration and technology delivery, tackle critical dimension control and defectivity challenges, and promote a

Qualifications

• PhD or MSc in Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, or related field.
• Strong expertise in plasma etch process development for semiconductor manufacturing.
• Experience with advanced patterning applications and device integration.
• Proven leadership of multidisciplinary technical projects in a dynamic R&D environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Fluent in English.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of R&D engineers and researchers, fostering technical excellence and collaboration.
• Define team priorities and resource allocation aligned with program needs and roadmaps.
• Drive development of advanced dielectric etch processes for patterning applications.
• Solve plasma-material interaction challenges involving oxide, nitride, low-k, high-k materials.
• Collaborate with integration, lithography, metrology, CMP, deposition and device teams for module integration.

Skills

Plasma etch expertise

People leadership

Project management

English fluency

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

PhD or MSc in Engineering/Materials/Physics/Chemistry

Job description

R&D Team Leader - Dry Etch

Imec, Leuven, Belgium

What you will do

As an R&D Team Leader within the Dry Etch Process Development organization, you will lead a team of talented engineers developing next-generation plasma etch solutions for advanced logic, memory, 3D integration and emerging semiconductor applications. You will combine strong technical leadership with people development and project execution to deliver innovative process solutions enabling the semiconductor roadmap. The role aligns with the dry etch organization's focus on supporting advanced scaling, patterning and integration challenges.

Your team will be responsible for developing and optimizing plasma etch processes for a broad range of dielectric materials and patterning applications, addressing increasingly demanding requirements in critical dimension control, profile management, selectivity, defectivity and integration.

Your responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of highly skilled R&D engineers and researchers, fostering a culture of technical excellence, innovation, collaboration and continuous learning.
• Define team priorities, objectives and resource allocation in alignment with strategic program needs and technology roadmaps.
• Drive the development of advanced dielectric etch processes for advanced patterning applications
• Support the team in solving complex plasma-material interaction challenges involving oxide, nitride, low-k, high-k, hard-mask, and novel dielectric materials.
• Work closely with integration, lithography, metrology, CMP, deposition and device teams to ensure successful module integration and technology delivery.
• Translate technology requirements into executable development plans, scorecards and milestones while ensuring timely project execution. The importance of scorecards and milestone delivery is highlighted within the dry etch leadership role.
• Balance short-term project deliverables with longer-term capability building and technology innovation.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and technical exchanges within the etch organization and across imec research programs.
• Build strong relationships with equipment suppliers, material vendors, industrial partners, and academic collaborators to drive innovation and strategic partnerships.
• Ensure safe fab operations and promote a high-performance, inclusive and engaging work environment.
• Represent the team in customer reviews, technical discussions, bilateral collaborations, and joint development programs.

Who you are

• PhD or Master's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Strong expertise in plasma etch process development for semiconductor manufacturing.
• Proven knowledge of dielectric etch processes, plasma-material interactions, profile control, etch selectivity, and pattern transfer techniques.
• Experience with advanced patterning applications and semiconductor device integration.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary technical projects and deliver results in a dynamic R&D environment.
• Strong people leadership skills, including coaching, mentoring, performance development and talent growth.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, capable of aligning diverse technical and business perspectives.
• Strong organizational and prioritization capabilities with the ability to manage a portfolio of projects simultaneously.
• A collaborative mindset and a passion for developing both technology and people.
• Fluent in English.