Dry Etch Process Development Engineer for Next-Gen HDD Heads

Headway Technologies; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 121,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

Headway Technologies in Milpitas, CA is seeking a Dry Etch Process Development Engineer to develop and implement new dry etch processes (RIE, IBE, Ashing) for next generation magnetic recording heads. You will design experiments, analyze data, and present findings to improve performance and yield while controlling scrap.

The role involves collaborating with process and product engineering, researching new tooling, and guiding technicians to ensure accurate process execution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Physics, or Electrical Engineering; Master’s degree preferred.
• 1–3 years of experience in dry etch process development in HDD/semiconductor industry.
• Experience in wafer fab manufacturing environment.
• Experience with Statistical Process Control (SPC).
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements new dry etch processes (RIE, IBE, and Ashing) for next generation magnetic recording heads.
• Implements new process control schemes ensuring product manufacturability.
• Designs experiments, analyzes data, and develops recommendations to improve performance and yield while reducing scrap.
• Adheres to timeline for introducing new processes into manufacturing.
• Reviews characterization data (FIB, SEM, TEM) to root cause and recommend corrective actions.
• Partners with other groups including process and product engineering to deliver products and programs.
• Oversees work of Process Technicians to ensure accurate process execution and wafer disposition.

Skills

SPC

Microsoft Office

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Physics, or Electrical Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

RIE

IBE

Ashing

Microsoft Office

Job description

Headway Technologies in Milpitas, CA is seeking a Dry Etch Process Development Engineer to develop and implement new dry etch processes (RIE, IBE, Ashing) for next generation magnetic recording heads. You will design experiments, analyze data, and present findings to improve performance and yield while controlling scrap.

The role involves collaborating with process and product engineering, researching new tooling, and guiding technicians to ensure accurate process execution.