Applications Engineer, Lead

Photronics; Allen (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity compensation

Health and welfare benefits

401(k) with company match

Annual bonus program

Job summary

Photronics is seeking an Applications Engineer lead to evaluate and support digital IC processing and MES requirements for mask manufacturing. You will analyze software solutions to define data-operation workflows and collaborate with vendors and internal teams to meet process needs.

You will partner with customers to ensure robust, effective solutions while guiding regional data engineering initiatives, automation efforts, and technical documentation to reflect new products and technologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field; Master’s preferred.
• Experience leading photomask data preparation or IC layout projects is expected.
• Strong knowledge of GDSII/OASIS formats and data hierarchies.

Responsibilities

• Define technical direction for photomask data workflows and standards across regional data engineering teams.
• Prepare and optimize mask data using Synopsys CATS and NCS NDE; convert GDSII/OASIS to production data.
• Generate complex job decks; manage reticle layout and metrology activities.
• Conduct layout verification using MRC/MPC; set regional requirements and train others.
• Lead root-cause analysis for data issues; collaborate with manufacturing, design, and customers.
• Drive automation initiatives to improve regional scalability and reduce turnaround times.
• Evaluate new data operation tools and champion regional adoption.
• Create technical documentation and reflect new products/tech in regional practices.
• Act as lead technical liaison for key customers and translate requirements into plans.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Unix

Leadership

Data engineering

GDSII/OASIS

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering

Master's preferred

Tools

Synopsys CATS

NCS NDE

MRC

MPC

Job description

For more than 50 years, Photronics has been a global leader in photomask technology, powering the innovation behind the world’s most advanced devices. Our success is built on collaboration, quality, and the dedication of our people.

We are hiring an Applications Engineer lead who evaluates and supports digital integrated-circuit processing and MES requirements for mask manufacturing. They analyze software solutions to define data-operation workflows and work with vendors and internal teams to develop capabilities that meet process needs. They also partner with customers to ensure robust, effective solutions.

Location: Boise, ID (US) or Allen TX (US). This is an on-site position, and we are not open to remote candidates currently.

Responsibilities

• Define the technical direction of photomask data preparation workflows and standards by partnering with leadership to identify opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and capability expansion across the regional data engineering organization.
• Prepare and optimize complex and advanced mask data using tools such as Synopsys CATS and NCS NDE, converting layout files (GDSII/OASIS) into fractured and production ready mask data for manufacturing. This may include complex and advanced conversion between data formats as well as data digitization.
• Generate complex and advanced job decks, manage reticle layout and frame placement, and support metrology activities.
• Conduct complex layout verification utilizing tools like Mask Rule Checks (MRC) and Mask Proximity Correction (MPC) to ensure manufacturability and design integrity. Establish advanced MRC and MPC requirements and implementation methods in coordination with other sites, vendors or customers. Provide documentation and training in support of these activities.
• Spearhead root cause analysis and resolution of complex layout or data issues, working cross-functionally with manufacturing, design, and customer teams.
• Partner with corporate resources to support design and drive implementation of advanced automation solutions to improve scalability and reduce turnaround times regionally.
• Lead evaluations of data operation’s new tools and methodologies, making both strategic recommendations for adoption and champion implementation regionally.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, defining best practices to reflect new products and technologies introductions regionally.
• Act as a lead technical liaison for key customers, translating requirements into actionable plans, and driving successful implementation.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned.

Travel

• Less than 10% Onsite support as needed for regional and international customer and operational initiatives

Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills & Attributes)

• Exceptional project management, organizational, and prioritization skills.
• Clear and effective communicator with the ability to engage both technical teams and executive-level stakeholders. Motivated self-starter with a collaborative mindset.
• Strong unix environment experience and ability to work at one of our sites. If US, ability to obtain government clearance.

Experience

• 6 - 8+ years of experience in photomask data preparation, IC layout/data engineering, or related semiconductor design disciplines.
• Expert knowledge of GDSII/OASIS formats, data hierarchies, and semiconductor layout principles.
• Proven success in leading complex technical initiatives and influencing engineering direction.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field preferred; equivalent work experience will also be considered.

Why Photrons

• Be part of a global technology leader driving innovation for the world’s biggest tech companies.
• Work in a collaborative, growth-focused environment where your expertise will have a real impact.
• Develop your leadership skills by mentoring and guiding a talented accounting team.
• Enjoy stability, challenge, and opportunity at a company with more than 50 years of proven success.
• Competitive salary and annual bonus program.
• Equity compensation eligibility.
• Full suite of health and welfare benefits.
• 401(k) with company match.

Equal Opportunity Statement: We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation for team members’ disabilities and religious beliefs or practices.