Process Engineer, Principal

MACOM; Lowell (MA); On-site; USD 117,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Professional development

Job summary

MACOM is seeking a Process Engineer to support backend wafer fabrication at our Lowell, MA facility. You will develop, optimize, and sustain manufacturing processes for GaN, GaAs, Si, and InP technologies with a focus on quality, yield, and safety.

This role requires hands-on work with grinding, polishing, CMP, and wafer bonding. You will partner with Device and Integration Engineering and Business Units to drive continuous improvement, document procedures, train operators, and ensure robust

Qualifications

• BS in Engineering with a minimum of 8 years of semiconductor/process experience.
• Experience with data mining, statistics, SPC, DOE, Lean manufacturing and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• U.S. Citizen or permanent resident due to ITAR restrictions.

Responsibilities

• Develop, improve, and sustain wafer fabrication processes in partnership with Device/Integration Engineering and Business Unit design teams.
• Provide hands-on support for grinding, polishing, CMP, wafer bonding, mounting/demounting and related processes.
• Ensure factory indicators are met and drive improvements in quality, yield, cost, process stability, productivity, and safety.
• Take ownership of processes including equipment selection, qualification, writeups, and training; update routing documentation.
• Communicate with management and cross-functional teams; maintain thorough process documentation and specifications.

Skills

Semiconductor processing

Wafer fabrication

Process optimization

Data analysis

DOE/experimental design

Lean Six Sigma

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical communication

Education

BS in Engineering

Tools

Statistical methods

SPC/DOE

Lean manufacturing

Job description

MACOM (NASDAQ: MTSI) is a global leader in the design and manufacture of advanced semiconductor products across a diverse range of end markets, including Data Centers, Telecommunications, Industrial and Aerospace and Defense. We develop innovative, cutting‑edge technologies and products across the spectrum of radio frequency (RF), microwave, millimeter wave, photonics and high‑speed analog technologies. Our solutions support critical network infrastructure applications like artificial intelligence, high performance computing, satellite communications, radar, unmanned aerial vehicles, medical equipment, test and measurement and advanced wireless networks.

MACOM has more than 75 years of expertise in semiconductor process development, wafer fabrication, circuit design, advanced packaging, systems architecture and applications engineering. We are committed to our customers’ success. We partner with customers to help solve their most challenging problems by providing semiconductor solutions that are at the forefront of the highest power, highest frequency and/or highest data rates.

Leading technologies, innovative products and driven employees. Come be a part of MACOM and help advance the next generation of connectivity infrastructure!

Process Engineer

In this critical role, you will be responsible for supporting backend wafer fabrication processes, including grinding, polishing, glassing, wafer bonding, mounting/dismounting, and other operations within MACOM's internal wafer fabrication facility. You will also provide support across additional manufacturing areas as needed and serve as backup coverage for other operations within the upstairs fab. This position encompasses both the development of new manufacturing processes and the sustainment and continuous improvement of existing processes. The product portfolio supported by this role includes technologies based on GaN, GaAs, Si, and InP materials.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, continuously improve, and sustain processes in close partnership with Device and Integration Engineering and Business Unit design teams.
• Serve in a hands‑on capacity requiring a broad understanding of wafer fabrication equipment and processes. Responsibilities include setup, qualification, optimization, and troubleshooting of automated equipment used for Wafer Grinding, Edge Grinding, Chemical‑Mechanical Planarization (CMP), Polishing, Wafer Bonding, Mount/Demount processes, glassing.
• Sustain wafer fabrication processes to meet all factory indicators; plan and execute experiments to fully characterize processes throughout the development cycle; drive improvements in quality, reliability, cost, yield, process stability/capability, productivity, and safety/ergonomics across variables such as material, method, equipment, environment, and operating personnel.
• Provide daily process support, including equipment setup, writing new programs, adjusting/optimizing parameters, running engineering lots, troubleshooting equipment, and supporting production in identifying, responding to, and dispositioning non‑conforming material.
• Take ownership of entire processes, including equipment selection, process and equipment qualification, writing detailed setup instructions and procedures, and training operators, technicians, and other engineers on equipment operation. Update and create routing documentation as needed.
• Apply general knowledge of electronics manufacturing and maintain strong technical understanding of wafer fabrication processes.

Key Competencies Required

• Excellent judgment, familiarity with semiconductor processing, and an optimistic, proactive approach.
• Ability to develop solutions using formal education, statistical methods, and structured problem‑solving tools.
• Proven track record of solving technical problems, owning projects, meeting deadlines, and managing multiple tasks.
• Strong sense of ownership, enthusiasm, and dedication to process improvement.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross‑functional teams to enhance processes.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including technical writing for data summaries, findings, process specifications, equipment documentation, and work instructions.
• Knowledge of optical component fabrication and polishing.
• Knowledge of wafer polishing, Wafer Grinding, Edge Grinding, and CMP processes.
• Hands‑on experience in wafer fabrication processes.
• Basic project management experience and ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Strong presentation skills and ability to communicate effectively with all levels of management and across diverse departments.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS in Engineering. Minimum 8 years of relevant work experience in semiconductors / Wafer fabrication process.
• Familiarity with typical material systems used in compound semiconductors and a solid understanding of device physics and IC processing.
• Demonstrated knowledge of compound semiconductor processing in a wafer fabrication environment or similar setting.
• Experience with data mining, statistics, SPC, DOE, Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and structured problem‑solving methodologies is preferred.
• Due to ITAR restrictions, applicants must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.

EEO

MACOM is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse workforce. MACOM will not discriminate against any worker or job applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, military service, marital status, or any other category protected under applicable law.

Reasonable Accommodation

MACOM is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you have a disability and are in need of a reasonable accommodation with respect to any part of the application process, please call [phone] or email [e-mail]. Provide your name, phone number and the position title and location in which you are interested, and nature of accommodation needed, and we will get back to you. We also work with current employees who request or need reasonable accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of their jobs.

ITAR

Due to ITAR regulations, only candidates who are U.S. Persons (U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, or individuals granted asylum or refugee status) will be considered for this position.

RSU Eligible

This position is eligible to receive restricted stock unit (RSU) awards and cash bonuses, solely at MACOM’s discretion, subject to individual and company performance.

Salary Range

The Salary Range for this position is $117,000 – $171,000. Actual salary offered to candidate will depend on several factors, including but not limited to, work location, relevant candidates’ experience, education, and specific knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Employer-sponsored 401(k) plan.
• Paid time off.
• Professional development opportunities.