Technical Officer, Semiconductor Plasma Etch

Automotive and Surface Transportation; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Robust pension plan

Health and dental coverage

Disability and life insurance

Job summary

National Research Council Canada (NRC) seeks a Technical Officer for Semiconductor Plasma Etch to support the Advanced Technology Fabrication facility at the Quantum Nanotechnology Research Centre. You will work with clients, partners, and engineers to operate plasma etch tools and ensure high-quality fabrication and process control.

The role emphasizes safety, accuracy, and adherence to SOPs, with opportunities to contribute to defense-related technology and national capability initiatives.

Qualifications

• Two to five years of hands-on semiconductor fabrication experience.
• Experience with RIE and ICP-RIE etching of semiconductor materials.
• Experience in DOE for determining process parameters and using characterization equipment.
• Experience with Oxford plasma etch systems is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Carry out operation of plasma etch tools (RIE, ICP-RIE and Deep RIE systems).
• Perform tool qualifications, process monitoring, and ensure equipment operates within parameters.
• Collaborate with process engineers to improve tool performance, yield and efficiency.
• Perform routine inspections and root-cause analysis to minimize downtime and implement solutions.
• Establish and ensure adherence to SOPs and provide training to junior staff.

Skills

Semiconductor plasma etch

RIE

ICP-RIE

Design of experiments

Education

Technical/Engineering/Scientific discipline

Tools

Oxford plasma etch systems

Metrology equipment

Job description

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Technical Officer, Semiconductor Plasma Etch

Priority may be given to the following designated employment equity groups: women, Indigenous Peoples* (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), persons with disabilities and racialized persons*.

* The Employment Equity Act, which is under review, uses the terminology Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities.

Candidates are asked to self-declare when applying to this hiring process.

OrganizationalUnit:Quantum and Nanotechnologies

Classification:TO-3

Duration: 2 years

Work arrangements:Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position will require full-time physical presence at the NRC work location identified.

Discover the possible

Defence Industrial Strategy

The NRC has an important role within the Government of Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy , accelerating research and innovation, and helping Canadian businesses develop leading-edge technologies for civilian and military use.

With expertise across fields such as transportation, quantum science, medical countermeasures and advanced manufacturing, the NRC is hiring to drive the development of national sovereign defence capabilities. The following role will support the NRC’s contributions to defence priorities.

The role

We are looking for a Technical Officer, Semiconductor Plasma Etch to support the Advanced Technology Fabrication (ATF) facility at the Quantum Nanotechnology Research Centre. The Technical Officer would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.

Working with clients and partners, the National Research Council Canada provides strategic research, innovation support, scientific, and technical services to develop and deploy solutions to meet Canada's current and future industrial and societal needs. The ATF offers our clients and partners access to cutting-edge semiconductor research and fabrication capabilities providing simulation, design, fabrication, testing, characterization, and prototyping. Bringing cutting edge research to the benefit of Canadian society and industries.

The key activities of the Technical Officer Plasma Etch are:

• Carry on operation of plasma etch tools (such as Reactive Ion Etch (RIE) and Inductively Coupled Plasma, and Deep RIE systems).


• Perform tool qualifications, process monitoring, and ensure that equipment operates within required parameters.


• Work closely with process engineers (ROs/RCOs) to improve overall tool performance, yield and efficiency.


• Perform routine inspections to ensure smooth operations and minimize downtime through root cause analysis for equipment or process failures, and implement solutions.


• Establish and ensure adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the operations team and training and guidance to junior members and operators.

Screening criteria

Applicants must demonstrate within the content of their application that they meet the following screening criteria in order to be given further consideration as candidates:

Education

Post-secondary education in a technical, engineering or scientific discipline related to the position.

• Significant recent** hands-on experience in a semiconductor fabrication environment.


• Significant experience in reactive ion etching (RIE) and inductively coupled plasma etch (ICP-RIE) of semiconductor materials using various chemistries.


• Significant and recent ** hands-on experience in design of experiments for determining process parameters monitoring semiconductor fabrication processes including the use of characterization equipment.


• Hands on experience with Oxford plasma etch systems would be considered an asset

** Significant experience is defined as two (2) to five (5) years of experience.

*** Recent experience is defined as experience acquired within the last five (5) years

Condition of employment

Reliability Status

For a Reliability Status, verification of background information over a period of 5 years is required.

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

• Demonstrative knowledge of the operation and use of plasma etch tools, and associated metrology equipment.


• Demonstrative ability to accurately interpret technical direction from a variety of sources including process work flows and standardized procedures;


• Knowledge of safe working practices in a semiconductor device fabrication environment; including working with chemicals, compressed gases, liquid nitrogen, and electrical, mechanical and vacuum systems.


• Demonstrative ability to set priorities and manage time to maximize productivity.


• Technology support - Results orientation (Level 2)

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile(s):Technology Support

NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including a robust pension plan, comprehensive health and dental coverage, disability and life insurance, office closure at the end of December, and additional supports to enhance your well-being throughout your career and beyond.

Notes

• In 2026, the NRC was chosen as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, a National Capital Region Top Employer and Forbes Canada’s Best Employer.


• Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.


• A pre-qualified list may be established for similar positions for a one-year period.


• Preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada. Please include citizenship information in your application.


• The incumbent must adhere to safe workplace practices at all times.


• We thank all those who apply, however only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Please direct your questions, with therequisition number (25291) to:

Closing Date: 18 September 2026 - 23:59 Eastern Time

*If you are currently a term or continuing employee at NRC, please apply through the SuccessFactors Careersmodule from your NRC computer.