Principal Materials & Process Engineer (Onsite)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Three weeks of vacation

401(k) with employer matching

Job summary

Collins Aerospace seeks a Materials & Process Engineer to lead photolithography, resist processing, and critical patterning in a fast-paced semiconductor environment. You will drive materials characterization, process control, and equipment capability improvements to boost yield and throughput.

The role emphasizes collaboration with Manufacturing, Process, Quality, and Design teams, advancing photolithography specifications and new material integration while ensuring regulatory and safety

Qualifications

• 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

Responsibilities

• 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

Skills

Photolithography

Process control

Root-cause analysis

Statistical analysis

DOE

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree

Tools

SEM

CD-SEM

Optical microscopy

Metrology

Job description

Location

US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-121 ~ 350 Collins Rd NE ~ BLDG 121

Date Posted

2026-09-22

Country

United States of America

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.

Collins Aerospace is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Materials & Process Engineer to provide technical leadership for wafer fabrication processes focused on photolithography, resist processing, and critical patterning technologies. Operating in a fast‑paced semiconductor manufacturing environment, this role is responsible for driving innovation in materials characterization, photolithography process control, and equipment capability improvements that enhance yield, quality, and throughput.

If you thrive in a collaborative environment and are driven to deliver operational excellence,

This is an onsite role in Cedar Rapids, IA and is eligible for relocation.

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

Some of our competitive benefits package includes:

• 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 illnessinsurance, 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 visitsBright Horizons, child and elder care services
• Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program
• And more!

The next chapter of our future as an aerospace company is here, and we are excited about what this means for our employees and customers! Get onboard the Collins Aerospace Operations team and play a part in managing our innovative products from inception to delivery. The Operations team continues to grow and aims to strengthen the connection of Manufacturing Operations, Supply Chain and Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) across Collins Aerospace. In this dynamic environment, you will have the opportunity to network across our businesses and functions, all while improving the productivity, quality and efficiency of our operations worldwide.

• Please ensure the role type (defined below) is appropriate for your needs before applying to this role.

Onsite

Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.

At Collins, the paths we pave together lead to limitless possibility. And the bonds we form – with our customers and with each other -- propel us all higher, again and again.

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

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.

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. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.

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 anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

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.