Etch Process Engineer

KLA-Belgium; Newport; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Share scheme

Contributory pension

Cash health plan

Cycle to Work

Global bonus plan

Employee rewards scheme

Life assurance

Job summary

KLA's SPTS division in Newport, UK, is seeking a plasma etch process engineer to develop and demonstrate advanced plasma etch processes for wafer processing. You will process customer wafers, document results and support demonstrations worldwide.

The role requires travel to customer sites, strong analytical skills, experience in plasma etch and metrology, and the ability to communicate findings clearly in reports and presentations.

Qualifications

• Experience of plasma etch processing within a semiconductor environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with semiconductor metrology techniques.
• Knowledge and practical experience of endpoint detection techniques.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and demonstrate plasma etch processes to meet agreed specifications.
• Assess results using analytical equipment and relevant software tools; perform troubleshooting and root cause analysis.
• Provide regular updates and technical reports to Product Management and stakeholders.
• Summarise findings through technical reports and presentations.
• Conduct long-duration testing for new processes and equipment.
• Provide factory and field support to customers and cross-functional teams.
• Travel to customer sites as required to support installations and development.

Skills

Plasma etch processing

Analytical thinking

Technical reporting

Customer support

Team collaboration

Education

Master's or Bachelor's in a relevant discipline

Tools

SEM experience

Endpoint detection techniques

Metrology techniques

Job description

Company OverviewThe SPTS division of KLA, designs, manufactures and markets wafer processing solutions for the global semiconductor and related industries. SPTS provides industry leading etch and deposition process technologies on a range of single wafer handling platforms. End-market applications include micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), advanced packaging, LED, high speed RF device IC’s and power semiconductors. SPTS is part of KLA Corporation which develops industry-leading equipment and services that enable innovation throughout the electronics industry. We provide advanced process control and process-enabling solutions for manufacturing wafers and reticles, integrated circuits, packaging, printed circuit boards and flat panel displays. In close collaboration with leading customers across the globe, our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers design solutions that move the world forward.Group/DivisionSPTS wafer processing solutions include market-leading silicon etch, dielectric etch, dry-release etch, PVD, PECVD and molecular vapor deposition (MVD), available with a range of wafer-handling options applicable to R&D, pilot production, or volume production environments. SPTS is headquartered and has its main manufacturing facility in Newport, UK, with additional manufacturing in Allentown, Pennsylvania. SPTS operates across 19 countries in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific, and offers comprehensive service and spare parts support through a worldwide network of service centers and qualified local agents.Job Description/Preferred QualificationsAs part of the plasma dicing team, the primary responsibilities of this position include developing plasma etch processes, processing customer wafers using etch demonstration equipment, and documenting the completed sample processing activities.Additional responsibilities include providing customer technical support, preparing technical reports for internal and external stakeholders, generating intellectual property submissions, and supporting other business units as required.This position will involve some international travel (subject to business requirements) to support customer installations and development activities. Occasional shift work may also be required.Key ResponsibilitiesProcess DemonstrationsDevelop and demonstrate plasma etch processes to meet agreed specifications.Assess results using analytical equipment and relevant software tools.Perform process troubleshooting and root cause analysis.Provide regular updates to Product Management on demonstration and sample work.Build and maintain effective relationships with customers and the global KLA support network.Summarise findings through technical reports and presentations.Process DevelopmentDevelop and optimise processes across SPTS product platforms.Plan and execute work safely, efficiently, and to agreed timescales.Utilise endpoint detection techniques to enhance process control and performance.Conduct long-duration testing for new processes and equipment.Contribute to cross-functional projects supporting new products and technologies.Prepare technical reports to support patent applications, publications, and conferences.Field SupportDevelop and optimise SPTS processes to meet customer requirements at customer sites.Provide factory-based technical support to field teams and customers.Establish and maintain strong customer relationships through effective technical support.Key Skills and ExperienceThe successful candidate will have:Experience of plasma etch processing within a semiconductor environment.Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.Experience with semiconductor metrology techniques.SEM experience would be advantageous, although training can be provided.Knowledge and practical experience of endpoint detection techniques.Strong written and verbal communication skills.The ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.Excellent organisational and time-management skills.What We Offer25 days annual leave plus bank holidaysShare schemeContributory pension schemeCash health planCycle to Work schemeGlobal bonus planEmployee rewards schemeLife assuranceMinimum QualificationsMaster's degree, or Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline, together with relevant industrial experience. Candidates with equivalent qualifications and hands-on semiconductor process engineering experience are also encouraged to apply.We offer a competitive, family friendly total rewards package. We design our programs to reflect our commitment to an inclusive environment, while ensuring we provide benefits that meet the diverse needs of our employees.KLA is proud to be an equal opportunity employerBe aware of potentially fraudulent job postings or suspicious recruiting activity by persons that are currently posing as KLA employees. KLA never asks for any financial compensation to be considered for an interview, to become an employee, or for equipment. Further, KLA does not work with any recruiters or third parties who charge such fees either directly or on behalf of KLA . Please ensure that you have searched KLA’s Careers website for legitimate job postings. KLA follows a recruiting process that involves multiple interviews in person or on video conferencing with our hiring managers. If you are concerned that a communication, an interview, an offer of employment, or that an employee is not legitimate, please send an email to [e-mail] to confirm the person you are communicating with is an employee. We take your privacy very seriously and confidentially handle your information.