Process Engineer

Kokusai Semiconductor Equipment Corporation; Hillsboro (OR); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Travel opportunities

Job summary

Kokusai Electric is expanding its US Development Center in Hillsboro, Oregon, seeking a Process Engineer to develop next-generation deposition and treatment processes and to work closely with customers and engineering teams to advance technology solutions.

The role emphasizes hands-on process development, equipment evaluation, technology transfer, and support activities in a fast-paced semiconductor R&D environment.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in a technical discipline related to semiconductor manufacturing.
• 4+ years hands-on with Kokusai equipment or 6+ years with 300 mm tools from another OEM.
• Experience developing and optimizing LPCVD, ALD/PEALD, ALE/PEALE, or thermal/plasma treatments.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and qualify semiconductor processes to meet customer and business objectives.
• Define process and equipment requirements for new technology development and product enhancements.
• Design, execute, and analyze experiments to evaluate process performance and identify improvement opportunities.
• Coordinate process development activities with engineering, integration, and equipment teams to ensure compatibility between process requirements and hardware capabilities.
• Gather, assess, and communicate process development strategies to support future customer technology requirements.
• Provide hands-on troubleshooting and root cause analysis for process, hardware, and defectivity challenges.

Skills

Process development

DOE

Statistical analysis

Troubleshooting

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

BS or MS in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Semiconductor Manufacturing

Tools

JMP

Job description

Kokusai Electric is a global leader in the design, manufacture, installation, and support of advanced vertical diffusion furnaces used in semiconductor fabrication facilities worldwide. As part of our continued growth and investment in innovation, we are expanding our capabilities at the United States Development Center (USDC) in Hillsboro, Oregon.

We are seeking a highly motivated Process Engineer to join our growing team. This role provides a unique opportunity to develop next-generation semiconductor processes, enable new equipment capabilities, and work directly with customers and engineering teams to advance innovative technology solutions.

Position Summary

The Process Engineer will be responsible for developing, optimizing, and supporting semiconductor deposition and treatment processes while serving as a technical interface between customers, field teams, and Kokusai engineering organizations. This position requires strong process integration knowledge, hands‑on equipment experience, and the ability to analyze complex process interactions to drive performance improvements and technology development.

The successful candidate will play a key role in process development, equipment evaluation, technology transfer, and customer support activities within a fast-paced semiconductor R&D environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and qualify new and existing semiconductor processes to meet customer and business objectives.
• Define process and equipment requirements for new technology development and product enhancements.
• Design, execute, and analyze experiments to evaluate process performance and identify improvement opportunities.
• Review and evaluate manufacturing and development techniques used in the fabrication and characterization of semiconductor devices.
• Coordinate process development activities with engineering, integration, and equipment teams to ensure compatibility between process requirements and hardware capabilities.
• Analyze experimental data and establish process windows, specifications, and control limits.
• Support the development and implementation of new equipment capabilities, automation strategies, and process technologies.
• Gather, assess, and communicate process development strategies to support future customer technology requirements.
• Provide technical leadership and support for process demonstrations and development activities at customer sites.
• Represent Kokusai in customer meetings to resolve equipment and process-related issues.
• Provide hands‑on troubleshooting and root cause analysis for process, hardware, and defectivity challenges.
• Review technical documentation and recommend improvements to operating procedures, specifications, and development plans.

Required Qualifications

Education

• BS or MS in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Semiconductor Manufacturing, or a related technical discipline.

Experience

• Minimum 4 years of hands‑on experience with Kokusai semiconductor equipment platforms, or
• Minimum 6 years of hands‑on experience with 300 mm semiconductor process equipment from another OEM.
• At least 3 years of experience developing and optimizing one or more of the following technologies:
• LPCVD
• ALD / PEALD
• ALE / PEALE
• Thermal or plasma treatment processes
• Proven ability to independently lead technical discussions with customers and cross‑functional engineering teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage process development activities with minimal supervision.

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of semiconductor process development, metrology, and defectivity analysis.
• Ability to create, modify, optimize, and troubleshoot advanced process recipes.
• Understanding of semiconductor material systems and their application to both process and hardware development, with an emphasis on CIP and new product opportunities.
• Experience analyzing data from commonly used metrology techniques for evaluating thin‑film physical, structural, and electrical properties.
• Ability to identify and troubleshoot process‑property relationships and hardware‑induced process variation.
• Experience investigating and resolving particle, contamination, and defectivity issues.
• Proficiency in statistical methods, Design of Experiments (DOE), and data analysis software such as JMP.
• Strong technical writing, reporting, and presentation skills.
• Experience performing preventive maintenance, installations, repairs, retrofits, upgrades, or tool conversions.
• Strong understanding of semiconductor process equipment operation and troubleshooting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in chemistry (precursor synthesis experience not required).
• Experience collaborating with material suppliers to evaluate and develop new process chemistries.
• Experience supporting advanced technology development in a customer‑facing environment.

Personal Attributes

• Self‑starter with strong ownership and accountability.
• Excellent problem‑solving and analytical skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Customer‑focused, collaborative, and results‑driven.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic R&D and technology development environment.

Additional Information

• Location: Hillsboro, OR (Onsite)
• Travel: Up to 10%
• Relocation Assistance: Available
• Salary Range: $130,000 - $160,000 annually

Compensation will be based on experience, qualifications, and job‑related skills. Kokusai Electric offers a competitive compensation package, comprehensive benefits, and additional incentive opportunities where applicable.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Kokusai Electric is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status under applicable law.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a process development engineer with deep semiconductor equipment experience who can bridge process technology, hardware capability, and customer requirements. They are comfortable leading technical discussions, developing new deposition and treatment processes, troubleshooting complex issues, and driving technology roadmaps that support both customer and business growth.