Process Engineering Director

Lam Research; Fremont (CA); Hybrid; USD 168,000 - 350,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site Flex

Virtual Flex

Hybrid work model

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Lam Research in the CA SF Bay Area seeks a senior process engineer to advance etch and deposition processes for capital equipment. You will employ simulation tools and data analysis to optimize performance, yield, and efficiency, coordinating with engineering and customer teams.

You will lead cross-functional collaborations, present demos, and contribute to technology roadmaps while traveling as needed. This role is hybrid with on-site and remote work options.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD with extensive experience in semiconductor processing.
• Strong background in materials science or chemical engineering related to etch/deposition.
• Experience analyzing process data and presenting technical results.

Responsibilities

• Perform process research, development, and evaluation for semiconductor equipment.
• Lead cross-functional reviews to ensure processing method compatibility and optimization.
• Plan projects introducing new concepts and tech roadmaps for etch processes.
• Analyze test data to define process limits and variables for specs.

Skills

Process engineering

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Presentation skills

Education

Master's degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or Physics

PhD with 10+ years' experience

Tools

Sem3D (MAPD)

JMP

Minitab

Job description

The group you'll be a part of

In the Global Products Group, we are dedicated to excellence in the design and engineering of Lam's etch and deposition products. We drive innovation to ensure our cutting-edge solutions are helping to solve the biggest challenges in the semiconductor industry.

The impact you'll make

Develops new or modified process formulations, defines processing or handling equipment requirements and specifications, and reviews processing techniques and methods applied in the manufacture, fabrication, and evaluation of products. Involvement may begin at any step from pilot plant to full-scale manufacturing. Coordinates design requirement review with appropriate engineering/scientific personnel to ensure compatibility of processing methods. Compiles and evaluates test data to determine appropriate limits and variables for process or material specifications. May conceive and plan projects involving definition and selection of new concepts, equipment automation technology, and approaches in the processing or development of new or improved processes.

What you'll do

• Responsible for performing professional process engineering research, development, and evaluation in support of the company's complex semiconductor capital equipment and systems.
• Reviews processing techniques and methods applied in the manufacture, fabrication and evaluation of products. Involvement may begin at any step from pilot plant to full-scale manufacturing.
• May conceive and plan projects involving definition and selection of new concepts and approaches in the processing or development of new processes.
• Compiles and evaluates test data to determine appropriate limits and variables for process specifications.
• Supports customer technology managers in the planning, data collection, analysis, and reporting of customer demos to defend existing process applications.
• Works with customer and senior engineers cross functionally to understand roadmaps, process flow, inflection points, requirements and business issues/ challenges.
• Utilize simulation tools like Sem3D (MAPD) & AI/ML based tools to drive process development strategies in optimizing the etch processes.
• Analyze data and provide insights to improve process performance, yield and efficiency. Utilize JMP and other tools to generate process sensitivities and trade-offs
• Work closely with C&F (concept & feasibility) teams to drive and adopt new process innovations and technology roadmaps. Great presentation skills to clearly articulate demo status, complex etch strategies
• Actively addresses any potential process or productivity issues at the customer site and provide alternative solution.
• Works with customer to demonstrate and introduce new technologies at customer sites through demos, on site evaluations, and new tool qualifications.
• Acts as single point of contact accountable for process, hardware, software, etc. related requests from customer and work with cross-functional teams within BU in the planning, data collection, analysis, and reporting of customer demos to defend existing process applications.

Who we're looking for

• Master's degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or Physics or related field with 12+ years of experience; or a PhD with 10+ years' experience; or equivalent experience.

• Leadership responsibilities

  • Lead a team of Junior & Senior process engineers to enable successful penetration & defense of key etch applications directly impacting Lam revenue
  • Responsible for managing multiple customer accounts in driving Lam Etch Tool Strategy, enabling successful tool evaluations at the customer site & driving new business opportunities.
  • Acts as a hands‑on technical manager & leader for colleagues with less experience, coach them, and ensure successful engagement of the team in driving Lam Etch objectives.
  • Responsible for creating & presenting technical review material for key technical projects on frequent basis for high level TRMs at customer site.
  • Will be subject matter expert & key technologist with etch experience in process development in advanced technology nodes, will be responsible in coming up with solutions & implementing learnings from global scientific community in new approaches for some of grand etch challenges.
  • Works with cross-functional teams to get information and results as needed to enable successful tool demo and business wins/defenses.

• Customer Relation

  • Professionally represent the company to the customer. Utilize knowledge of company's product lines and services to keep existing/ potential customers informed when new/ additional needs are identified.

• Other Job Responsibilities

  • Comfortable with travelling 10-20% of the time after training for on‑site customer support.

Preferred qualifications

• In depth understanding of Plasma Physics, Reactive Ion Etching (RIE), Atomic Layer Etching (ALE), Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP), Capacitively Coupled Plasma (CCP).
• Familiarity with working in a laboratory and on semiconductor equipment with experience in surface preparation and analytical techniques.
• Experience in surface preparation and analytical techniques.
• Interest in advanced technology and an on‑going desire to learn.
• In‑depth understanding and working knowledge of Statistical Process Control (SPC) and/or Design of Experiments (DOE); experience with statistical tools (JMP, Minitab, etc.)
• Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and ability to react to shifting priorities to meet business needs and deadlines.
• Excellent people skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively and efficiently with diverse teams, semiconductor customers, internal and external partners.
• Experience working in a collaborative and matrixed environment
• Handling development projects and supporting semiconductor customers

Our commitment

We believe it is important for every person to feel valued, included, and empowered to achieve their full potential. By bringing unique individuals and viewpoints together, we achieve extraordinary results.

Lam Research ("Lam" or the "Company") is an equal opportunity employer. Lam is committed to and reaffirms support of equal opportunity in employment and non-discrimination in employment policies, practices and procedures on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, or military and veteran status or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. It is the Company's intention to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Company policy prohibits unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees.

Lam offers a variety of work location models based on the needs of each role. Our hybrid roles combine the benefits of on-site collaboration with colleagues and the flexibility to work remotely and fall into two categories - On-site Flex and Virtual Flex. 'On-site Flex' you'll work 3+ days per week on-site at a Lam or customer/supplier location, with the opportunity to work remotely for the balance of the week. 'Virtual Flex' you'll work 1-2 days per week on-site at a Lam or customer/supplier location, and remotely the rest of the time.

Salary

CA San Francisco Bay Area Salary Range for this position: $168,000.00 -$350,000.00.

The above salary range for this position is relevant to applicants that reside or work onsite in the California, San Francisco Bay Area only. Salary offers will depend on factors that include the location you work from, your level, education, training, specific skills, years of experience and comparison to other employees already in this role. Actual salary may vary from salary offered due to numerous factors including but not limited to unpaid time off, unpaid leave, company mandated shutdown, and other relevant factors.

Our Perks and Benefits

At Lam, our people make amazing things possible. That's why we invest in you throughout the phases of your life with a comprehensive set of outstanding benefits.