Photomask Resist Strip/Cleans Semiconductor Engineer

Toppan Photomasks Round Rock; Round Rock (TX); On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Toppan Photomasks Round Rock is seeking a Semiconductor Engineer with 3+ years in semiconductor cleanrooms to drive process execution, optimization, and yield improvements for photomask fabrication. You will lead contamination investigations, develop cleaning chemistries, and own SPC and process documentation across multiple toolsets.

The role requires hands-on experience with core fab processes, strong analytical skills, and the ability to mentor junior engineers in a fast-paced manufacturing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics.
• At least 3 years of experience in a semiconductor cleanroom or wafer fab.
• Hands-on experience with core fab process areas (cleans, lithography, etch, deposition, CMP, diffusion, or metrology).
• Experience using SPC and statistical analysis to troubleshoot process performance.
• Ability to develop and maintain process documentation and operating procedures.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and sustain photomask cleaning processes to meet customer specs and manufacturing quality.
• Own and improve post-process cleaning operations including resist strip, wet cleaning, megasonic cleaning, UV/Ozone cleaning, and contamination removal.
• Monitor and improve key process metrics including defect density, particle performance, yield, cycle time, and tool utilization.
• Perform process characterization, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis to improve yield and reliability.
• Lead root cause investigations for contamination events, particle excursions, haze formation, cleaning defects, and yield losses.
• Establish and maintain SPC systems and process control plans for stable manufacturing performance.
• Define, qualify, and release new cleaning chemistries, process recipes, and operating parameters.
• Lead qualification and acceptance for new cleaning equipment, upgrades, and process modifications.
• Develop and maintain process documentation including specifications, FMEAs, SOPs, work instructions, and control plans.
• Train and mentor technicians, operators, and junior engineers on cleaning processes and troubleshooting techniques.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Project management

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics

Tools

JMP

Excel

Python

SQL

Job description

Job Summary

We are seeking a Semiconductor Engineer with at least 3 years of hands-on experience in semiconductor fabrication environments. This role focuses on process execution, optimization, and yield improvement within a cleanroom setting, supporting the manufacture of advanced semiconductor photomasks. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, proactive, safety-conscious, and experienced working with complex equipment and tightly controlled processes. They possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, a passion for continuous improvement, and the ability to lead process optimization, tool qualifications, and technology transfer activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and sustain photomask cleaning processes to ensure compliance with customer specifications and manufacturing quality standards.
• Own and continuously improve post-process cleaning operations, including resist strip, wet cleaning, megasonic cleaning, UV/Ozone cleaning, and contamination removal processes.
• Monitor and improve key process metrics including defect density, particle performance, yield, cycle time, and tool utilization.
• Perform process characterization, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis to improve yield and reliability
• Lead root cause investigations for contamination events, particle excursions, haze formation, cleaning defects, and yield losses.
• Establish and maintain Statistical Process Control (SPC) systems and process control plans to ensure stable manufacturing performance.
• Define, qualify, and release new cleaning chemistries, process recipes, and operating parameters.
• Lead qualification and acceptance activities for new cleaning equipment, upgrades, and process modifications.
• Develop and maintain process documentation including specifications, FMEAs, SOPs, work instructions, and control plans.
• Train and mentor technicians, operators, and junior engineers on cleaning processes, troubleshooting techniques, and best practices.
• Participate in on-call support and rapid response activities for critical process or equipment excursions.
• Ensure compliance with safety, EHS, and cleanroom protocols

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related field preferred
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a semiconductor cleanroom or wafer fab environment preferred
• Hands-on experience with at least one major fab process area (cleans, lithography, etch, deposition, CMP, diffusion, or metrology)
• Strong understanding of semiconductor manufacturing flows and cleanroom best practices
• Experience analyzing process performance using Statistical Process Control (SPC) and statistical analysis techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot yield, defectivity, and equipment-related issues using structured problem‑solving methodologies.
• Experience developing and maintaining process documentation, work instructions, and operating procedures.
• Strong project management, organizational, and technical communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in photomask manufacturing, mask shop operations, or related advanced semiconductor fabrication.
• Knowledge of photomask cleaning technologies, including chemical cleaning, megasonic cleaning, UV/Ozone cleaning, plasma cleaning, and contamination removal techniques.
• Experience with Design of Experiments (DOE), FMEA, 8D, Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, and Model-Based Problem Solving methodologies.
• Knowledge of factory automation systems, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), and recipe management systems.
• Knowledge of yield enhancement and defect reduction methodologies
• Proficient in data analysis using tools such as JMP and Excel, with basic scripting or coding skills (VBA, JSL, Python, SQL).
• Experienced in tool qualification process.
• Experience with change management systems, engineering change control, and quality management processes.
• Experience leading cross-functional improvement projects and mentoring technicians or junior engineers.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to work extended periods in a cleanroom environment
• Willingness to wear full cleanroom gowning (bunny suit)
• Ability to work flexible hours or on-call support as needed for production schedules