Principal Technology Development Engineer

polarsemi; BLOOMINGTON (MN); On-site; USD 125,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision insurance

401(k) plan with company match

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Annual bonus

Job summary

Polar Semiconductor in Bloomington, MN is seeking a MEMS/process engineer to advance development, transfer, optimization, and documentation of MEMS and optoelectronics fabrication flows. You will characterize devices and reliability to meet performance goals while collaborating with process and device engineers in a on-site role.

Typical requirements include a Master’s in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or Physics, with MS 5–7 years or PhD 5+ years experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or Physics is typically required.
• MS with 5–7 years of experience or PhD with 5+ years experience preferred.
• Experience with MEMS fabrication and DRIE processes is advantageous.
• Strong documentation, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and perform experiments to determine process sequences and parameters; use simulations and test lots as starting points.
• Analyze electrical/in-process data from test lots to identify parameters needing optimization.
• Collaborate with Process Engineering to develop and optimize process modules.
• Support initial test chip processing and transfer to production, targeting first-pass success.
• Write documentation to transfer the new process to production.
• Provide inputs to Device Engineers to develop layout rules from experimental data.
• Suggest test structures and contribute to test-chip mask set design for process-dependency evaluation.
• Create project schedules with mitigation plans to ensure on-time completion.
• Provide development updates to external customers on various cadences.
• Support quality, safety, CQI, 5S, yield management, and cost containment.

Skills

Device physics

Process integration

MEMS fabrication

Device characterization

Layout/mask knowledge

DOE design

Statistical analysis

Documentation

UNIX

Education

Master's in Electrical Engineering / Materials Science / Physics

PhD in Engineering/Physics

Tools

UNIX

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

• Contribute to the development/transfer, optimization, and documentation of the overall process flow and macro modules required to fabricate reliable, manufacturable MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) and optoelectronics devices which meet parametric and performance goals.
• Characterize, evaluate, and document integrated semiconductor devices and reliability of circuit and process elements to ensure performance to quality standards.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Design and perform experiments and analyze the results to determine the process sequences and parameters which will yield the target device parameters, by using the results of the process simulations or initial test lots as a starting point.
2. Analyze data (electrical, in-process measurement or visual inspection) from the fabrication of test lots to determine which parameters require additional optimization.
3. Work with Process Engineering to develop, characterize, and optimize process modules.
4. Support the processing of the initial test chip and transfer lots fabricated with the new process to identify and correct any problem areas and work to achieve first-pass success.
5. Write the documentation required to permit the new process to be transferred to production.
6. Provide inputs to and work with Device Engineers to develop layout rules for the process being developed, using equipment specifications and experimental data.
7. Recommend test structures for and contribute to the layout of test chip mask sets to aid in developing the new process and evaluating specific process-dependencies of device parameters.
8. Create and maintain schedules for assigned projects to include mitigation plans where needed to ensure projects are completed on time.
9. Provide weekly, monthly, quarterly development updates to external customers.
10. Support company initiatives, such as; quality, safety and environmental management, CQI, 5S, yield management, and cost containment
11. Perform other duties as required.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge of several of the following, as needed to perform exact duties:

• Knowledge of semiconductor device physics and process integration
• Semiconductor fabrication processes
• MEMS fabrication with a focus on DRIE - etching, VHF/BOE release - etch, Front- and back-side processing
• Device characterization techniques
• Device layout design
• Device reliability testing
• Computer skills, including working knowledge of UNIX.
• Skills in DOE design, statistical data analysis, problem solving, writing, and communication.

Typically requires a minimum of Masters in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or Physics. MS with 5-7yrs or PhD with 5+ years experience preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS

Exposure to hazardous chemicals, high voltages and high equipment temperatures.

This is an On-Site position.

Please note that this position may require U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency status in the future depending on federal requirements.

What We Offer

• Salary : $125,000-$165,000 per year (good-faith estimate)
• Benefits & Other Eligible Compensation : Includes health, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, 401(k) plan with company match, paid time off, annual bonus, and tuition reimbursement.

Polar Semiconductor is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.

About Us

At Polar Semiconductor, we're on a mission to fulfill our future as the U.S. based manufacturing partner of choice for differentiated power and sensor technologies. With a $525M investment from the CHIPs Act, the state of Minnesota, and private equity, we are looking for the best in the industry to help Polar transform from a captive fab to a pure-play foundry. We are doubling our manufacturing capacity and investing in advanced BCD and Wide Bandgap technology such as GaN. Polar has a long history in manufacturing automotive grade semiconductors and we are expanding in strategic markets such as national defense and AI data centers. We pride ourselves on state-of-the-art semiconductor manufacturing, a collaborative culture, and a commitment to helping our customers succeed.