Dry Etch module development engineer

Intel; Hillsboro (OR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Intel in Hillsboro, Oregon is seeking a senior dry etch engineer to drive development of high‑volume manufacturing and future technologies. You will lead cross‑functional teams across Process Integration, Manufacturing and Equipment Engineering to solve complex challenges and establish scalable, long‑term solutions.

The role emphasizes hands‑on ownership of dry etch process development, patterning architectures, DOE studies, and robust improvement of yield and reliability.

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field with 4+ years of dry etch industry experience.
• Master's degree with 6+ years of dry etch experience in a leading foundry or equipment supplier.
• Bachelor's degree with 8+ years of dry etch industry experience in a leading foundry or equipment supplier.
• Hands-on experience in dry etch semiconductor manufacturing and process optimization.
• Strong command of plasma etch fundamentals, including plasma-surface interactions and defect mechanisms.
• Proven track record delivering dry etch solutions that improve yield, reliability, or manufacturability.

Responsibilities

• Drive technology development for high-volume manufacturing and future technologies with process integration and equipment solutions.
• Own development of next-generation patterning processes including architecture and qualification methods.
• Conduct path-finding activities to enable manufacturing of innovative device architectures and roadmaps.
• Provide technical leadership for cross-functional problem solving and drive root cause and corrective actions.
• Design and execute characterization plans; plan experiments (DOE, response surface, robustness) across development.
• Establish and mature control systems to optimize production performance (SPC, alarms, recipe governance).
• Develop strategies to resolve difficult problems and implement systems to manage them for the future.
• Drive improvements in yield, reliability, cost, and process capability; enable scalable transfer to manufacturing.
• Influence technical direction and mentor engineers; communicate status and risk clearly.
• Recommend and implement modifications to operating equipment to improve production output.
• Partner with suppliers to develop enabling elements of the technology and run feasibility studies.

Skills

Dry etch

Process integration

DOE

Statistical analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Mentoring

Education

PhD in Chemical Engineering

Master's in Chemical Engineering

Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering

Tools

JMP

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Job Description

Note: This role is only open to external candidates with industry dry etch experience from leading equipment suppliers or advanced foundries. You will operate in a high impact space, partnering closely with cross‑functional teams (Process Integration, Manufacturing, Equipment Engineering, Yield/Defect Engineering, and suppliers) to solve complex technical challenges and establish long‑term systems that sustain performance. This role requires regular onsite presence to fulfill essential job responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Drive technology development for both high‑volume manufacturing and future technology, providing process integration and equipment solutions and performing feasibility studies to meet desired device specifications.
• Own and drive the development of next‑generation patterning processes, including process architecture, optimization strategies, and qualification methodologies.
• Conduct path‑finding activities in support of process and hardware development on existing and first‑of‑kind equipment, enabling manufacturing of innovative device architectures and developing roadmaps for technologies enabling future roadmap.
• Provide technical leadership for cross‑functional problem solving to resolve complex process and defect issues; drive structured root cause, containment, and permanent corrective actions.
• Design and execute comprehensive characterization plans; plan and conduct experiments (DOE, response surface, robustness studies) across the development cycle.
• Establish and mature control systems to optimize and sustain production performance (SPC, control plans, alarms, response plans, recipe governance, sustaining systems).
• Develop strategies and infrastructure to resolve difficult problems and implement systems to manage these problems in the future (standard work, monitoring, dashboards/analytics, knowledge capture).
• Drive improvements in yield, reliability, cost, productivity, and process capability, ensuring scalable transfer to manufacturing and ongoing sustainment.
• Influence technical direction, mentor engineers (as appropriate for grade), and communicate status/risk clearly to stakeholders.
• Recommend and implement modifications for operating equipment to improve production efficiency, manufacturing techniques, and optimize production output for existing products.
• Partner with key equipment and materials suppliers to develop and implement enabling elements of the technology. Perform process technology feasibility studies through theoretical simulations and/or practical engineering methods.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications –

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a semiconductor‑related STEM field with 4+ years of industry experience in dry etch at a leading foundry or equipment supplier with relevant experience.
• Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a semiconductor‑related STEM field with 6+ years of industry experience in dry etch at a leading foundry or equipment supplier with relevant experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a semiconductor‑related STEM field with 8+ years of industry experience in dry etch at a leading foundry or equipment supplier with relevant experience.
• Hands‑on experience in dry etch semiconductor manufacturing, including ownership of process development and optimization.
• Strong command of plasma etch fundamentals, including plasma generation, plasma‑surface interactions, selectivity, profile control, and defect mechanisms.
• Demonstrated record of delivering dry etch process solutions that improved yield, reliability, performance, or manufacturability for advanced technology nodes at foundries or suppliers.
• Expertise in statistical analysis and DOE methodologies, using tools such as JMP, Python, or MATLAB to drive data‑based decisions.

Preferred Qualifications –

• 5+ years of direct experience developing and deploying dry etch processes for advanced logic or foundry technologies.
• Experience with advanced dry etch technologies such as ICP / CCP plasma etch, high aspect ratio etch (HARC), atomic layer etch (ALE), radical and vapor‑phase isotropic etching, ash and surface treatments, EUV‑patterned layer etch integration.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex process challenges and provide solutions such as pattern fidelity, CD control, defectivity, variability reduction, or process window expansion.
• Strong understanding of logic BEOL interconnects and their etch integration requirements.
• Experience with materials and device characterization techniques, including SEM, TEM, CD SEM, AFM, XPS, or electrical correlation.
• Ability to define technical approaches, de‑risk options, and guide less senior engineers through complex problem solving.
• Proven ability to lead technical problem solving across projects, influencing peers and stakeholders without formal people‑management responsibility.
• Evidence of broader technical influence, such as internal technology disclosures, patents, publications, or recognized subject matter expertise within the organization.
• Strong collaboration and problem‑solving skills to work effectively in cross‑disciplinary teams.
• Proven ability to communicate technical data and concepts to both technical and non‑technical audiences.

Benefits

We offer a total compensation package that ranks among the best in the industry. It consists of competitive pay, stock bonuses, and benefit programs which include health, retirement, and vacation.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local law, regulation, or ordinance.