Principal Materials & Process Engineer (Onsite)

Prattwhitney; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Vacation and paid time off

401(k) with company match

Job summary

RTX’s Collins Aerospace division is seeking an experienced Photolithography Lead to provide technical leadership and optimize lithography processes. You will establish critical parameters, partner with engineering and operations, and drive root-cause analyses to reduce defects and improve yield.

The role requires strong DOE, SPC, and metrology skills and a track record in high‑precision lithography environments.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a STEM degree with significant experience in lithography processes.
• Advanced degree plus experience in semiconductor lithography is preferred.
• Strong ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive process improvements in lithography.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for photolithography processes.
• Establish and maintain critical process parameters and calibration methods.
• Support troubleshooting of CD variation, resist adhesion, and overlay accuracy issues.
• Lead root-cause analysis for lithography-related yield losses and production issues.
• Develop and standardize photolithography workflows to improve yield and cycle time.

Skills

Photolithography

Process optimization

Root-cause analysis

Yield improvement

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree

Tools

DOE

SPC

Metrology tools

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-09-22 Country: United States of America Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-121 ~ 350 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 121 Position Role Type: Onsite U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract. Security Clearance Type: None/Not Required Security Clearance Status: Not Required

At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world‑class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world. Collins Aerospace is a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine the aerospace and defense industry. With a comprehensive portfolio and deep technical expertise, we help customers meet the demands of the global market. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

What You Will Do

• Provide technical leadership for photolithography processes
• Establish and maintain critical process parameters, equipment calibration methods, SPC limits, acceptance criteria, and advanced monitoring strategies for lithography systems.
• Support troubleshooting of issues involving CD variation, resist adhesion, profile defects, contamination, overlay accuracy, pattern collapse, and environmental sensitivities.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering, Process Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Design to investigate nonconformances, yield excursions, and process variation using structured root‑cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Develop, optimize, qualify, and standardize photolithography and wafer process flows to improve yield, cycle time, equipment utilization, and cost.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives targeting defect reduction, overlay accuracy, CD uniformity, and reduction of rework and process variability.
• Develop and maintain photolithography specifications, work instructions, process controls, and best‑practice guidelines.
• Support qualification and integration of new photoresists, mask sets, exposure tools, metrology systems, and wafer materials.
• Lead root‑cause analysis and corrective actions for lithography‑related yield losses and production issues.
• Support new product introduction, process validation, PFMEA, control plans, mask review, and production readiness.
• Ensure all processes comply with customer, regulatory, environmental, safety, and industry requirements.

Qualifications You Must Have

Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of experience. Experience supporting lithography processes.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, Microelectronics, or a related field
• Direct experience with semiconductor photolithography processes: resist material, mask alignment, exposure, developing, and metrology.
• Experience with wafer‑level chemical processes and surface preparation.
• Hands‑on experience with lithography materials characterization (SEM, CD‑SEM, optical microscopy, overlay metrology, particle analysis).
• Practical experience troubleshooting lithography defects and process excursions.
• Experience in a semiconductor, microelectronics, MEMS, or other highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with industry process control and quality systems.
• Experience supporting low‑to‑high‑volume or high‑mix production environments.
• Understanding of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or related process improvement methodologies.
• Experience with DOE, SPC, statistical analysis, or advanced process‑control strategies.

What We Offer

The salary range for this role is 107,500 USD - 204,500 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees
• Generous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Student Loan Repayment Program
• Life insurance and disability coverage
• Optional coverages you can buy pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection
• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
• Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning
• Adoption Assistance
• Autism Benefit
• Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions
• Healthy You Incentives, wellness rewards program
• Doctor on Demand, virtual doctor visits
• Bright Horizons, child and elder care services
• Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program
• And more!
• Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays.
• Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective‑bargaining agreement.
• Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short‑term and/or long‑term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective‑bargaining agreement.

This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.