Senior CMP Process engineer

Samsung Electronics; Taylor (TX); On-site; USD 106,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Life insurance + 401(k) matching

Onsite café and workout facilities

Paid parental leave

Paid time off + holidays

Wellness incentives

Job summary

Samsung Austin Semiconductor is seeking a CMP Process Engineer to drive wafer planarization, control removal rates, and optimize CMP recipes. You will work with CMP tools, analyze SPC/FDC data, and address defects to ensure high wafer yield and process stability.

The role requires hands-on experience with CMP equipment, strong problem-solving skills, and flexibility to cover shifts as needed in a fast-paced semiconductor manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• BasicCMPKnowledge: Understanding CMP fundamentals, slurry-pad conditioning, post-clean steps.
• Hands-on experience with major CMP tools: AMAT/EBara and endpoints systems.
• Proficiency in SPC, FDC, and analysis software like JMP or Spotfire.
• Root-cause analysis using FMEA, 8D, and first-principles physics approaches.
• Willingness to work off-hours and/or with CW shifts as needed.

Responsibilities

• RemovalRate control: evaluate factors to ensure thickness consistency across wafer.
• Condition optimization: determine process conditions to improve uniformity and resolve issues.
• Recipe management: develop and optimize recipe parameters to improve flatness.
• Defect and uniformity management: reduce defects and improve wafer uniformity.
• Consumable lifecycle management: monitor usage cycles to avoid spec breaches.
• Material evaluation: compare slurries and polishing pads to optimize CMP.

Skills

CMP knowledge

Equipment familiarity

SPC

FDC

Data analysis tools

Problem solving

Shift flexibility

Tools

AMAT/EBara tools

Job description

About Samsung Austin Semiconductor

Samsung is a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, founded on the belief that the pursuit of excellence creates a better world. At Samsung Austin Semiconductor, we are Innovating Today to Power the Devices of Tomorrow.

Come innovate with us!

Position Summary

A CMP (Chemical Mechanical Polishing) Process Engineer is responsible for the critical semiconductor manufacturing step of planarizing the wafer surface. This is achieved through a synergistic combination of chemical reactions and mechanical force, ensuring that subsequent layers of the chip can be built with high precision. The primary goal of a CMP engineer is to achieve a flat wafer surface by controlling the chemical reaction and mechanical force.

Role and Responsibilities

Here’s What You’ll Be Responsible For:

• RemovalRate(RR)Control:ConductingperformanceevaluationsofvariousinfluencefactorstoensurethethicknessskewbeforeandafterCMPisconsistentacrosstheentirewafer.

• ConditionOptimization:Determiningtheoptimalprocessconditionstoimproveuniformityandresolvechronicissues,suchas“centerlowRRprofiles.

• RecipeManagement:DevelopingandoptimizingRecipe(RCP)parametersandimproveflatness.

• Defect&uniformityManagement:Managingandimprovingwaferuniformityandresolvingdefectssuchasscratchesandparticles.

• ConsumableLifeCycleManagement:Monitoringtheusagecyclesofconsumables(pads,slurry)toensuretheydonotexceedspecifications,whichcouldimpactquality.

• MaterialEvaluation:EvaluatingtheperformanceofdifferentslurriesandpolishingpadstooptimizetheCMPprocess.

Skills and Qualifications

Here’s What You’ll Need:

Basicrequirement

• BasicCMPKnowledge:UnderstandingofdielectricandmetalCMPfundamentals,includingslurry-pad-conditioninginteractionsandpost-cleansteps.
• PrefertohavesomelevelofEquipmentFamiliarities:Hands-onexperiencewithmajorindustryCMPtools:AMAT/EBaraandtheirendpointsystems
• Data&Statistics:ProficiencyinStatisticalProcessControl(SPC),FaultDetectionandClassification(FDC),andanalysissoftwarelikeJMPorSpotfire.
• ProblemSolving:Abilitytodriveroot-causeanalysisusingmethodologieslikeFMEA,8D,andfirst-principlesphysicsapproaches.
• Flexibility:Asperbusinessneeds,sometimesitisrequiredtoworkduringoff-hourtimesand/orwithCWWshiftschedule.

PreferredQualifications

• FamiliarwithMetrologyTools:ExperiencewithEllipsometry,SEM,andAFMforthicknessandroughnesscheck.
• ExperienceonDefectReduction:Experienceidentifyingkillerdefectsandimprovingwaferyield.
• BasicIdeaofFabIntegration:UnderstandingofhowCMPaffectsfollowingsteps(Etch/Photo)andoverallyield.
• DOE:AbilitytorunstructuredDesignofExperimentsforprocessoptimization.

The current base salary range for this role is between $106,000 - $145,000. Individual base pay rates will depend on factors including duties, work location, education, skills, qualifications and experience. Total compensation for this position will include a competitive benefits package and may include participation in company incentive compensation programs, which are based on factors to include organizational and individual performance.

This position may include access to controlled information or technology under U.S. export control laws. Employment may be contingent on either the applicant verifying that the applicant falls under the “U.S. Person” definition (including U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and those granted U.S. asylum or refugee status) or the employer timely obtaining any necessary export license under federal law. The employer evaluates export licensing on a case-by-case basis and may decline to proceed with a job applicant in its sole discretion, as export license applications can take many weeks to process.

Total Rewards

At Samsung Austin Semiconductor, base pay is just one part of our total compensation package. The base compensation for this role will depend on education, experience, skills, and location.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance and 401(k) matching with immediate vesting
• Onsite café(s) and workout facilities
• Paid maternity and paternity leave
• Paid time off (PTO) + 2 personal holidays and 10 regular holidays
• Wellness incentives and MORE

Eligible full-time employees (salaried or hourly) may also receive MBO bonuses based on company, division, and individual performance.

All positions at Samsung Austin Semiconductor are full-time on-site.

Trade Secrets

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