Staff/Principal Engineer - Cmp Process Dev

Micron; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Micron is seeking a Principal Engineer for CMP process development to lead advanced 3D NAND technology programs and cross-functional initiatives. You will drive process characterization, optimization, and transfer to high-volume manufacturing, partnering with global teams and suppliers.

The role requires strong DOE, data analytics, and leadership skills to resolve complex yield and manufacturability challenges while advancing CMP capabilities for future nodes.

Qualifications

• Experience in CMP process development for advanced semiconductor or memory technologies.
• DOE and statistics used for process optimization and data interpretation.
• Leadership of complex technical projects and cross-functional delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead CMP process characterization and advanced development for 3D NAND and future nodes.
• Define CMP strategies to improve margin, robustness, and manufacturability.
• Lead experiments and data analysis to validate process windows and scaling readiness.
• Drive transfer of CMP processes to high-volume manufacturing and ramp readiness.
• Collaborate with PD, PI, manufacturing, equipment, and suppliers to align CMP solutions.
• Evaluate consumables and equipment to close process capability gaps.

Skills

DOE

Root Cause Analysis

Data Analytics

Technical Leadership

Cross-functional Collaboration

Education

PhD in Electrical Engineering

MS in Electrical/Materials Science

BS in related field

Tools

EBARA WS

Applied Materials CMP platforms

Job description

Our vision is to transform how the world uses information to enrich life for all.

Join an inclusive team passionate about one thing: using their expertise in the relentless pursuit of innovation for customers and partners. The solutions we build help make everything from virtual reality experiences to breakthroughs in neural networks possible. We do it all while committing to integrity, sustainability, and giving back to our communities. Because doing so can fuel the very innovation we are pursuing.

Principal Engineer - Process Development, CMP, NAND

Job / Role Summary

The Principal Engineer provides technical leadership for Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) process development supporting advanced 3D NAND and future technology nodes. This role leads process characterization, margin improvement, integration, and transfer readiness, while driving cross-functional alignment with global development, manufacturing, equipment, and supplier teams. The position resolves complex process, yield, defectivity, and manufacturability challenges, influences module and site-level technical direction, and advances robust CMP capability for high-volume production through disciplined experimentation, process control, and technology roadmap execution.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead CMP process characterization and advanced process development for 3D NAND and future technology nodes.
• Define and execute CMP process strategies that improve process margin, robustness, manufacturability, yield, and performance.
• Lead complex experiments and data analysis to validate process windows, technology scaling readiness, and integration requirements.
• Drive transfer of developed CMP processes to high-volume manufacturing at Fab10N and lead cross-functional actions supporting ramp readiness and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with Process Development, Process Integration, manufacturing, equipment, global development teams, and suppliers to align CMP solutions with NAND technology requirements.
• Lead evaluations of consumables, equipment, hardware, and novel applications to close process capability gaps and enable future-node requirements.
• Resolve complex process, yield, defectivity, and integration challenges using structured root-cause analysis and data-driven decision-making.

Other Responsibilities

• Develop and deploy advanced process monitoring and control methodologies to support stable and repeatable manufacturing performance.
• Drive process simplification and manufacturing optimization opportunities that improve cost, productivity, and cycle time.
• Lead complex cross-functional projects, communicate technical status and risks, and influence execution outcomes across sites and stakeholders.
• Mentor junior CMP engineers and strengthen technical rigor, documentation, knowledge sharing, and engineering standards.
• Engage internal partners and external suppliers to advance innovation while complying with intellectual property and data protection requirements.
• Contribute to technical documentation and intellectual property generation, including patents and technical papers, where applicable.

AI Responsibilities

• Integrates AI-assisted tools and insights into daily work to improve efficiency, quality, or effectiveness, exercising sound judgment and complying with organizational standards and legal requirements.
• Contributes to a culture of continuous improvement by identifying, testing, and sharing AI-enabled enhancements within one's scope of work.

Candidate Profile

Minimum Qualifications / Experience

• PhD with at least 5 years, Master's degree with at least 7 years, or Bachelor's degree with at least 10 years of relevant experience in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in CMP process development for advanced semiconductor or memory technologies, including leadership of complex technical projects and cross-functional delivery.
• Hands-on experience with leading-edge CMP polishing equipment, such as EBARA WS or Applied Materials platforms.

Must-Have Technical Skills

• Deep expertise in CMP process development, including dielectric and metal polishing mechanisms, slurry, pad, conditioning, equipment operation, and process optimization for advanced nodes.
• Strong understanding of NAND or memory process integration and the structural impacts of film deposition and CMP interactions.
• Proficiency in Design of Experiments (DOE), root-cause analysis, statistical and experimental data interpretation, and data analytics tools such as Y3.
• Ability to develop process monitoring and control strategies and apply data-driven methods to improve yield, process margin, robustness, and manufacturability.
• Experience evaluating CMP consumables, equipment, hardware, and supplier solutions for technology development and high-volume manufacturing readiness.

Must-Have Soft Skills

• Technical leadership through influence, with the ability to dr