Senior Engineer / Scientist

2261 DuPont Electronic Materials CMP, LLC; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Qnity is seeking a Senior Engineer/Scientist to lead CMP fundamentals modeling, validation, and simulation efforts. You will develop physics-based models connecting consumable properties to polishing outcomes, validate through experiments, and guide roadmap decisions. Travel ~20% to customer and facility sites may be required.

The role emphasizes mentorship, collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, and translating scientific insights into design guidance for next-generation CMP technologies.

Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or related field.
• 5-10+ years industrial problem-solving experience using scientific/engineering principles.
• Experience in mathematical modeling of physical systems and experimental method development.
• Strong background in computational modeling, data analysis, and scientific computing.
• Proficiency with MATLAB, Python, Maple, or similar.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex CMP fundamentals investigations spanning modeling, experimentation, and validation.
• Build physics-based models linking consumable properties to polishing performance.
• Define modeling scope, validate models, and quantify uncertainty.
• Collaborate across research, product, and manufacturing to drive innovation.
• Mentor scientists and engineers and communicate findings clearly.

Skills

MATLAB

Python

Maple

FEM/CFD

Uncertainty quantification

Model Verification & Validation

Transport phenomena

Fluid mechanics

Polymer mechanics

Contact mechanics

Tribology

Surface characterization

Materials characterization

Education

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

ANSYS

Abaqus

COMSOL

High Performance Computing

Job description

Are you looking to power the next leap in the exciting world of advanced electronics? Do you want to help solve problems that drive success in the rapidly evolving technology and connectivity landscape? Then bring your problem-solving, passion, and creativity to help us power the next leap in electronics. At Qnity, we’re more than a global leader in materials and solutions for advanced electronics and high-tech industries – we’re a tight-knit team that is motivated by new possibilities, and always up for a challenge. All our dedicated teams contribute to making cutting-edge technology possible. We value forward-thinking challengers, boundary-pushers, and diverse perspectives across all our departments, because we know we play a critical role in the world enabling faster progress for all. Learn how you can start or jumpstart your career with us.

Senior Engineer / Scientist – CMP Fundamentals, Modeling & Simulation Description

The CMP Fundamentals team is seeking an experienced scientist or engineer to serve as a technical leader in the development, validation, and application of predictive modeling capabilities supporting next‑generation CMP consumables and processes. This position will combine rigorous scientific investigation, advanced characterization, experimental research, and computational modeling to build fundamental understanding of the relationships between consumable properties, process conditions, and polishing performance. A key objective of this role is to establish confidence in simulation‑driven decision making by ensuring models are physically meaningful, numerically reliable, experimentally validated, and aligned with business needs. The successful candidate will define what should be modeled, challenge assumptions, improve model fidelity, quantify uncertainty, and drive the long‑term simulation capability roadmap for CMPT. This role is intended to develop a long‑term CMP technical expert capable of owning complex technical problem statements, mentoring future scientists and engineers, and serving as a critical technical partner for product development, customer support, and innovation efforts. Approximately 20% travel may be required to customer sites, development facilities, collaborator locations, and technical review meetings. This position is ultimately intended to be based onsite in Newark, Delaware. To support recruitment of exceptional candidates, flexibility may be provided during the initial onboarding and transition period. Candidates should be willing to relocate to the Newark area and work onsite as the long‑term expectation for the role.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead complex technical investigations requiring deep understanding of CMP fundamentals, material behavior, and process interactions.
• Own and define technical problem statements supporting product development and customer needs.
• Apply rigorous science‑based methodologies to solve short‑ and long‑term technology challenges.
• Partner with research, applications, product development, manufacturing, and data science teams to accelerate innovation.
• Build complex, physics‑based simulation models from first principles.
• Optimize model architecture, meshing strategy, solver settings, and runtime efficiency to enable reliable and practical use in product development.
• Evaluate model assumptions, governing equations, constitutive relationships, material models, and boundary conditions to ensure simulations accurately represent physical behavior.
• Verify model accuracy through numerical checks, experimental validation, calibration, and uncertainty assessment.
• Define and prioritize the simulation capability roadmap, including new predictive modeling approaches that link consumable properties to polishing performance.
• Serve as the internal technical authority for simulation and predictive modeling.
• Design validation experiments in partnership with scientists and engineers.
• Develop methods for model calibration and parameter identification.
• Leverage characterization tools and experimental resources to improve understanding of polishing mechanisms.
• Serve as an internal expert in texture characterization, material behavior, and performance‑driving mechanisms.
• Correlate simulation results with laboratory observations and customer outcomes.
• Build fundamental understanding of interactions between Pad materials and structure.
• Build fundamental understanding of interactions between Solid Mechanics.
• Build fundamental understanding of interactions between Fluid mechanics.
• Build fundamental understanding of interactions between Contact mechanics.
• Build fundamental understanding of interactions between Tribology and wear.
• Build fundamental understanding of interactions between Semiconductor process operating conditions.
• Translate scientific understanding into actionable design guidance and product development recommendations.
• Demonstrate strong mentorship and train scientists, engineers, and technicians.
• Guide others actively, sharing knowledge openly, providing constructive feedback.
• Foster a collaborative environment where scientists and engineers can learn with growth mindset.
• Develop and manage collaborations with internal and external technical experts.
• Communicate findings through technical reports, presentations, customer interactions, patents, and publications.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or related discipline.
• 5-10+ years of industrial experience applying scientific and engineering principles to solve complex technical problems.
• Demonstrated experience in mathematical modeling of physical systems and experimental method development.
• Strong background in computational modeling, data analysis, and scientific computing.
• Proficiency with MATLAB, Python, Maple, or similar technical computing environments.
• Expert knowledge in at least some of the following areas: Transport phenomena, Fluid mechanics, Polymer mechanics, Contact mechanics, Fracture mechanics, Tribology, Surface characterization, Materials characterization.
• Comfortable working across theory, simulation, experimentation, and characterization.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills with multidisciplinary technical teams.

Desired Skills

• Familiarity with CMP consumables, processes, and polishing mechanisms.
• Understanding of polyurethane structure‑property‑performance relationships.
• Experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA/FEM), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Multiphysics Simulation, Model Verification & Validation (V&V), Uncertainty Quantification, Sensitivity Analysis.
• Hands‑on experience with ANSYS, Abaqus, COMSOL, High Performance Computing (HPC).
• Experience evaluating Model assumptions, governing equations, and constitutive relationships; Numerical stability, convergence behavior, and solution robustness; Mesh and time‑step independence studies; Boundary condition selection and sensitivity analyses; Model calibration, parameter estimation, and uncertainty quantification; Solver performance, computational efficiency, and runtime optimization; Verification and validation (V&V) methodologies for predictive engineering models; Correlation of simulation predictions with experimental observations and physical behavior.
• Demonstrated record of technical innovation through patents, publications, or product development contributions.

EEO & Inclusion Statement

Qnity is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability or any other protected class. If you need a reasonable accommodation to search or apply for a position, please visit our Accessibility Page for Contact Information.

Qnity offers a comprehensive pay and benefits package.

Here, your ideas spark innovation, your curiosity drives progress, and your journey powers the next leap in electronics.