CMP Process Engineer

Samsung; Taylor (TX); On-site; USD 106,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) matching

Onsite facilities

Job summary

Samsung Austin Semiconductor seeks a CMP Process Engineer to control wafer planarization during chemical mechanical polishing. You will optimize recipes, monitor removal rate, and ensure flat wafer surfaces for subsequent chip layers. Strong CMP knowledge, data analysis skills, and experience with AMAT/EBara tools are required.

The role includes off-hour flexibility, defect reduction, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to maintain high yields in a high-volume fab.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Material Science, or Computer Science.
• Minimum 5 years of related experience in semiconductor manufacturing.
• Experience in high-volume semiconductor environments preferred.
• Basic CMP knowledge including slurry-pad-conditioning and post-clean steps.
• Hands-on experience with major CMP tools (AMAT/EBara) and endpoint systems.
• Proficiency in SPC, FDC, and analysis tools (JMP/Spotfire).
• Strong problem solving with FMEA, 8D, and first-principles physics approaches.

Responsibilities

• Control Removal Rate consistency across wafers during CMP processes.
• Optimize process conditions to improve uniformity and address center low RR profiles.
• Develop and optimize CMP recipe parameters for flatness.
• Manage wafer defects and uniformity, reducing scratches and particles.
• Monitor consumables usage (pads, slurry) to stay within specs.
• Evaluate slurries and polishing pads to optimize CMP outcomes.

Skills

SPC

FDC

JMP

Spotfire

DOE

8D

Root-cause analysis

Education

BS/MS in Engineering/Physics/Caint Sci

Tools

AMAT/EBara equipment

Job description

About Samsung Austin Semiconductor Samsung is a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, founded on the belief that the pursuit of excellence creates a better world. At Samsung Austin Semiconductor, we are Innovating Today to Power the Devices of Tomorrow. Come innovate with us!

Position Summary

A CMP (Chemical Mechanical Polishing) Process Engineer is responsible for the critical semiconductor manufacturing step of planarizing the wafer surface. This is achieved through a synergistic combination of chemical reactions and mechanical force, ensuring that subsequent layers of the chip can be built with high precision. The primary goal of a CMP engineer is to achieve a flat wafer surface by controlling the chemical reaction and mechanical force.

Role and Responsibilities

Here’s What You’ll Be Responsible For:

• Removal Rate (RR) Control: Conducting performance evaluations of various influence factors to ensure the thickness skew before and after CMP is consistent across the entire wafer.
• Condition Optimization: Determining the optimal process conditions to improve uniformity and resolve chronic issues, such as "center low RR profiles.
• Recipe Management: Developing and optimizing Recipe (RCP) parameters and improve flatness.
• Defect & uniformity Management: Managing and improving wafer uniformity and resolving defects such as scratches and particles.
• Consumable Life Cycle Management: Monitoring the usage cycles of consumables (pads, slurry) to ensure they do not exceed specifications, which could impact quality.
• Material Evaluation: Evaluating the performance of different slurries and polishing pads to optimize the CMP process.

Skills and Qualifications

Here’s What You’ll Need:

Basic requirement

• BS or MS in Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Material Science, or Computer Science.
• A minimum 5 years of related experience; Semiconductor Process Flows.
• Previous experience in a high-volume semiconductor manufacturing environment desired. Applicable manufacturing experience in other industries can be considered.
• Basic CMP Knowledge: Understanding of dielectric and metal CMP fundamentals, including slurry-pad-conditioning interactions and post-clean steps.
• Prefer to have some level of Equipment Familiarities: Hands‑on experience with major industry CMP tools: AMAT/EBara and their end point systems
• Data & Statistics: Proficiency in Statistical Process Control (SPC), Fault Detection and Classification (FDC), and analysis software like JMP or Spotfire.
• Problem Solving: Ability to drive root‑cause analysis using methodologies like FMEA, 8D, and first‑principles physics approaches.
• Flexibility: As per business needs, sometimes it is required to work during off‑hour times and/or with CWW shift schedule.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiar with Metrology Tools: Experience…
• Experience on Defect Reduction: Experience identifying killer defects and improving wafer yield.
• Basic Idea of Fab Integration: Understanding of how CMP affects following steps (Etch/Photo) and overall yield.
• DOE: Ability to run structured Design of Experiments for process optimization.

The current base salary range for this role is between $106,000 - $145,000. Individual base pay rates will depend on factors including duties, work location, education, skills, qualifications and experience. Total compensation for this position will include a competitive benefits package and may include participation in company incentive compensation programs, which are based on factors to include organizational and individual performance.

This position may include access to controlled information or technology under U.S. export control laws. Employment may be contingent on either the applicant verifying that the applicant falls under the "U.S. Person" definition (including U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and those granted U.S. asylum or refugee status) or the employer timely obtaining any necessary export license under federal law. The employer evaluates export licensing on a case-by-case basis and may decline to proceed with a job applicant in its sole discretion, as export license applications can take many weeks to process.

Total RewardsAt Samsung Austin Semiconductor, base pay is just one part of our total compensation package. The base compensation for this role will depend on education, experience, skills, and location.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance and 401(k) matching with immediate vesting
• Onsite café(s) and workout facilities
• Paid maternity and paternity leave
• Paid time off (PTO) + 2 personal holidays and 10 regular holidays
• Wellness incentives and MORE

Eligible full-time employees (salaried or hourly) may also receive MBO bonuses based on company, division, and individual performance.

All positions at Samsung Austin Semiconductor are full-ti