MEMS Semiconductor & Assembly Process

Seek Thermal, Inc; Goleta (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Seek Thermal, Inc. is seeking a MEMS Semiconductor and Assembly Process Engineer to oversee MEMS sensor die from wafer fabrication through wafer-level packaging and testing.

The role spans front-end processes and back-end assembly, coordinating with external suppliers to sustain yield and qualify new processes for production. The candidate will design DOEs, apply SPC/FMEA in a production setting, and communicate findings across design, test, reliability, and quality teams.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or related field; MS preferred.
• 5+ years of hands-on process engineering in MEMS or semiconductor wafer fab; 2+ years in assembly/packaging.
• Experience with thin-film deposition, lithography, etch, and packaging interactions.
• Ability to read metrology and failure-analysis data and act on it.
• Clear written and verbal communication with suppliers, vendors, and cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Own and sustain MEMS fabrication processes to yield, Cpk, and cost targets.
• Develop and qualify assembly and packaging processes: wafer-to-wafer bonding, vacuum sealing, die attach, and wire bonding.
• Characterize bond interfaces and hermeticity using SAM, IR microscopy, SEM/FIB, and vacuum monitoring.
• Design and run DOEs; use SPC and statistical analysis to identify yield drivers and drive actions.
• Manage outsourced process steps at external suppliers; define specs and review data.
• Perform root-cause failure analysis; drive fixes through MRB/CCB.
• Collaborate with design, test, reliability, quality, and manufacturing for NPI and DFM.

Skills

DOE

SPC

FMEA

Cleanroom

Metrology interpretation

Supplier communication

Python scripting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

Python

LabVIEW

JMP

Job description

SUMMARY

Under the direct supervision of the Wafer Management Director, the MEMS Semiconductor and Assembly Process Engineer is responsible for the MEMS sensor die from wafer fabrication through wafer-level packaged and tested die. This fab-less role involves working with multiple external suppliers and spans front-end MEMS processes (thin-film deposition, lithography, metallization, etch, and release) and back-end assembly (wafer-level hermetic vacuum sealing/bonding, wafer probing, dicing, die attach, and wire bonding). Working with suppliers, the engineer will sustain and improve yield on production processes, develop new processes and tools, and qualify them for production manufacturing. The position operates in both cleanroom and non-cleanroom manufacturing environments, supporting Production and Engineering.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own and sustain MEMS fabrication processes (PECVD/sputter deposition, photolithography, DRIE and wet etch, sacrificial release) to yield, Cpk, and cost targets.
• Develop and qualify assembly and packaging processes: wafer-to-wafer bonding, getter activation and vacuum sealing, dicing, die attach, and wire bonding.
• Characterize bond interfaces and package hermeticity using SAM, IR microscopy, SEM/FIB cross-sections, and long-term vacuum-integrity monitoring.
• Design and run DOEs; use SPC and statistical analysis (JMP, Python) to identify drivers of yield loss and drive corrective and preventive actions.
• Manage outsourced process steps at external suppliers: define specifications, review vendor data, run qualification lots, and disposition non-conforming material.
• Perform root-cause failure analysis; drive containment and permanent fixes through the MRB/CCB process.
• Partner with device design, test, reliability, quality, and engineering functions on new-product introduction and design-for-manufacturability reviews.

Requirements

• BS in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or related field; MS preferred.
• 5+ years of hands-on process engineering in MEMS or semiconductor wafer fab, with at least 2 years covering assembly/packaging (wafer bonding, die attach, wire bond, or hermetic sealing).
• Working knowledge of thin-film and etch processes and their interaction with downstream packaging (stress, outgassing, surface preparation for bonding).
• Demonstrated use of DOE, SPC, and FMEA in a production environment.
• Comfortable in a cleanroom (gowning required); able to read metrology and failure-analysis data and act on it.
• Clear written and verbal communication with suppliers, vendors, operators, and cross-functional engineers.
• Occasional travel to suppliers and contract manufacturers.
• U.S. Person status as defined by ITAR (if required by product line).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with microbolometers or other vacuum-packaged MEMS infrared sensors.
• Wafer-level packaging experience.
• Knowledge of and experience with anti-reflective coatings.
• Wafer defect identification and corrective action to improve yield.
• Familiarity with MEMS reliability test methods.
• Experience managing external foundry and supplier relationships.
• Python or LabVIEW scripting for data handling; ISO 9001 quality-system experience.

PM18