(Senior) PVD Process Development Engineer

Imec; Vlaams-Brabant; On-site; EUR 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Imec in Leuven, Belgium, seeks a (Senior) PVD Process Development Engineer to advance next-generation PVD processes for CMOS logic, memory and heterogeneous integration in a state-of-the-art 300/200mm semiconductor fabrication environment.

You will lead DOE studies, develop and optimize deposition processes (magnetron, reactive, RF and DC sputtering), and characterize films with XRD, XRR, SEM/TEM, XPS, AFM and more, collaborating with integration teams to transfer developed processes into device

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years of industrial or advanced research experience in semiconductor process development.
• Strong hands-on expertise in PVD technologies (magnetron, reactive, RF/DC sputtering).
• Familiarity with ALD, CVD, SSE, RPC.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.
• Knowledge of Python, Matlab, JMP, Minitab, Klarity, E3/FDC, etc. is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize PVD processes for CMOS, Logic, Memory and other cutting-edge technologies.
• Lead process development activities from concept through technology qualification.
• Design and execute DOE to establish process windows and achieve target performance metrics.
• Characterize deposited films using advanced metrology techniques including XRD, XRR, SEM/TEM, XPS, AFM.
• Analyze experimental data and collaborate with process integration teams to implement into device flows.
• Interface with equipment suppliers, material vendors and customers as required.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Troubleshooting

Communication skills

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Python / Matlab knowledge

Education

Master in Science or Engineering

Tools

Magnetron sputtering

Reactive sputtering

RF sputtering

DC sputtering

Ion-assisted deposition

ALD

CVD

SSE

RPC

Job description

(Senior) PVD Process Development Engineer

What you will do

We are seeking a highly motivated (Senior) PVD Process Development Engineer to join our advanced semiconductor thin film deposition and diffusion technology development team (DDDEV). The successful candidate will play a key role in developing next-generation Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) processes for advanced CMOS technology nodes, supporting cutting-edge logic, memory, and heterogeneous integration applications.

This position offers the opportunity to work in a state-of-the-art 300/200mm semiconductor fabrication environment, collaborating with integration, process, equipment, metrology, and reliability experts to enable future semiconductor technologies.

As a PVD process development engineer, you will be responsible for tools and processes:

• Tool selection and take part in tool procurement process for advance semiconductor technology development.
• Develop and optimize advanced PVD processes for CMOS, Logic, Memory and other cutting-edge technologies which includes:
  • Metal deposition (standard and emerging materials)
  • Barrier and liner layers
  • Contacts and interconnect applications.
  • Advanced gate stack and BEOL metallization schemes
• Lead process development activities from concept through technology qualification.
• Design and execute DOE (Design of Experiments) to establish process windows and achieve target performance metrics.
• Characterize deposited films using advanced metrology techniques including:
  • XRD
  • XRR
  • SEM/TEM
  • XPS
  • AFM
  • Four-point probe
  • Stress and adhesion measurements
  • Ellipsometry
• Analyze experimental data and derive physical understanding of film growth mechanisms, nucleation behavior, and plasma-material interactions.
• Collaborate with process integration teams to ensure successful implementation of developed processes into device process flows.
• Interface with equipment suppliers, material vendors, research partners, and customers as required in a dynamic multidisciplinary and multicultural environment.
• As opportunities arise, innovate new techniques of characterization that align with the Imec’s technology roadmap.

What we do for you

We offer you the opportunity to join one of the world’s premier research centers in nanotechnology at its headquarters in Leuven, Belgium. With your talent, passion and expertise, you’ll become part of a team that makes the impossible possible. Together, we shape the technology that will define the society of tomorrow.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and proud of our open, multicultural, and informal working environment with ample possibilities to take initiative and show responsibility. We commit to supporting and guiding you in this process; not only with words but also with tangible actions. Through imec.academy, 'our corporate university', we actively invest in your development to further your technical and personal growth.

We are aware that your valuable contribution makes imec a top player in its field. Your energy and commitment are therefore appreciated by means of a market appropriate salary with many fringe benefits.

Who you are

• Master in Science or Engineering and display strong engineering skills and mindset.
• Minimum 4 years of industrial or advanced research experience in semiconductor process development.
• You are willing to work in a shift regime (early/late) and 1 weekend out of 4, in order to support the continuous FAB production.
• Strong hands-on expertise in PVD technologies, including:
  • Magnetron sputtering
  • Reactive sputtering
  • RF and DC sputtering
  • Ion-assisted deposition
  • Metal and metalic compound deposition.
• Familiarity with complementary processes such as:
  • Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD)
  • Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)
  • Soft Sputter Etch (SSE)
  • Reactive Plasma Clean (RPC)
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Any knowledge in advanced software packages (Python, Matlab, JMP, Minitab, Klarity, E3/FDC, etc.) will be an asset.