Defect Metrology Staff Engineer

SkyWater Technology, Inc.; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Life insurance

On-site cafeteria

Fitness facility

Self-serve market

Medical, dental, vision

Job summary

SkyWater Technology, Inc. is hiring a Defect Metrology Staff Engineer for our Austin, TX site to provide defect metrology recipe application and equipment engineering support across leading platforms.

You will work with brightfield, darkfield, bare wafer, macro inspection, and SEM review to ensure high-quality metrology. Candidates should have a technology BS with 5+ years or MS with 3+ years, strong data analytics and SPC skills, and experience leading projects.

Qualifications

• BS degree in a technology field with 5+ years of experience or MS degree with 3+ years.
• Strong understanding of defect metrology recipe setup and optimization and equipment engineering knowledge.
• Experience leading projects and managing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to autonomously identify critical defects and solve unfamiliar issues.
• Proficiency in data analysis, SPC, and experimental design for recipe development.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Write, optimize, and manage defect inspections.
• Meet tool uptime, availability, and matching goals.
• Manage the budget for the defect metrology toolset.
• Collaborate with Fab Process/Support teams to report defects and drive actions.
• Engage with vendors for tool maintenance and improvement recommendations.

Skills

Data analysis

Statistical analysis

Statistical Process Control

Experimental design

Project leadership

Communication

Education

BS degree +5y OR MS degree +3y

Tools

KLA

Applied Materials

Camtek

Job description

5204 E Ben White Blvd, Austin, TX 78741, USA

Job Description

Posted Friday, August 21, 2026 at 5:00 AM

Bold Thinking. World Changing. At SkyWater, our ingenuity helps improve lives around the world by manufacturing U.S. made semiconductors that are essential ingredients of modern life. Automotive safety enhancements, life-saving medical devices, consumer electronics and American security require semiconductors. Working in our Minnesota headquarters, Florida, or Texas location — employees join together to improve the world.

Explore what’s possible. Joining our U.S. - based team means contributing to and learning about the commercialization of some of the most exciting technologies the world has ever seen. We are turning “science fiction” into everyday reality through technologies such as superconducting, 3D integrated circuits or computer chips, carbon nanotubes, photonic logic devices, micro electro-mechanical systems and other emerging device topologies. We manufacture products for aerospace and defense, medical, automotive, consumer and industrial markets, to name a few. Our customers include emerging leaders who rely on our intellectual property security and quality manufacturing services.

Step into the future. SkyWater’s values of Integrity, Excellence, Collaboration, Empowerment and Growth Mindset guide us to cultivate an empowered, learning environment. We also invest in developing highly skilled, dedicated employees — and employees who are entering the workforce for the first time, from the military, and a variety of educational backgrounds.

Are you bold thinking? Find your place on our team and help us change the world!

SkyWater is hiring a Defect Metrology Staff Engineer for our Austin TX site! Will provide defect metrology recipe application and equipment engineering support across KLA, Applied Materials, and Camtek platforms. The System types include brightfield, darkfield, bare wafer, macro inspection, and SEM review.

Key Responsibilities:

Defect Metrology Engineers are responsible for:

• Writing, optimizing, and managing defect inspections
• Meeting goals for tool uptime, availability, and matching
• Managing the budget for their toolset
• Engage individually and as a team member to identify critical defects and report the information back to Fab Process / Support teams.
• Responsible for tool maintenance, interfacing with vendors, problem solving and making recommendations for work to be done.

Required Qualifications:

• A technology related BS degree plus 5 years related experience or MS degree plus 3 years' experience.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in understanding defect metrology recipe setup and optimization, as well as possessing solid knowledge on equipment engineering.
• Prior experience organizing and leading projects. Ability to manage and execute multiple projects simultaneously and shift priorities to meet business needs.
• Proven autonomy identifying critical defects with ability to solve unfamiliar process issues.
• Fluent in Data / Statistical analysis and Statistical Process Control
• Experimental design for recipe development and optimization
• Interpersonal, communication, and presentations
• Innovative thinking
• Strong understanding of tool hardware / theory, equipment install, startup, and qualification
• Understanding of fab process, technology, and flow

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preferred experience working with KLA, Applied Materials, and Camtek inspection and review platforms.
• Knowledge of fault detection and process control

SkyWater offers an exciting environment where the brightest semiconductor minds come together to achieve exceptional results. We offer a competitive salary and an opportunity to participate in incentive plans as well as other employee financial benefits, including a 401 (k) match and life insurance.

Additionally, SkyWater offers a comprehensive benefits package which promotes a healthy life. This includes benefit eligibility day one, medical, dental, mental health benefits, vision, legal planning, short- and long-term disability, paid time off, paid holidays, an on-site cafeteria, fitness facility, and self-serve market.

SkyWater complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities unless doing so would cause an undue hardship. Alternative methods of applying for employment are available to individuals unable to submit an application through this site because of a disability. To request reasonable accommodations, to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at 952-851-5200 or [e-mail].

5204 E Ben White Blvd, Austin, TX 78741, USA