Senior Equipment Engineer - Etch

SkyWater Technology; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k match

Life insurance

Stock purchase plan

On-site cafeteria

Fitness facility

Self-serve market

Job summary

SkyWater Technology in Austin, TX is seeking an experienced Senior Equipment Engineer – Etch to join our aggressive effort to expand U.S.-made semiconductor manufacturing. You will directly support fab operations, maximize tool performance, deploy predictive maintenance, and enable 24/7 high-volume production.

In this role, you will drive innovations to extend equipment lifetimes, qualify secondary-source parts, and lower ownership costs without sacrificing product quality.

Qualifications

• BS degree in a STEM-related field.
• 2-5 years of relevant engineering experience.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and root-cause problem solving abilities.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, pneumatic diagrams, and electrical schematics.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and resolve tool issues on the fab floor.
• Drive continuous improvements in tool uptime and performance.
• Develop, implement, and sustain preventative and predictive maintenance programs.
• Support 24/7 production operations with rapid response to equipment breakdowns.
• Use dashboards and data to prioritize work and identify improvement opportunities.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Analytical thinking

Reading schematics

Dashboard reporting

Education

BS in STEM

BS in Engineering

Tools

CAD (AutoCAD/SolidWorks)

Excel

JMP

Job description

Bold Thinking. World Changing. At SkyWater, our ingenuity helps improve lives around the world by manufacturing U.S. made semiconductors that are essential ingredients of modern life. Automotive safety enhancements, life-saving medical devices, consumer electronics and American security require semiconductors. Working in our Minnesota headquarters, Florida, or Texas location - employees join together to improve the world.

Explore what's possible. Joining our U.S. - based team means contributing to and learning about the commercialization of some of the most exciting technologies the world has ever seen. We are turning "science fiction" into everyday reality through technologies such as superconducting, 3D integrated circuits or computer chips, carbon nanotubes, photonic logic devices, micro electro-mechanical systems and other emerging device topologies. We manufacture products for aerospace and defense, medical, automotive, consumer and industrial markets, to name a few. Our customers include emerging leaders who rely on our intellectual property security and quality manufacturing services.

Step into the future. SkyWater's values of Integrity, Excellence, Collaboration, Empowerment and Growth Mindset guide us to cultivate an empowered, learning environment. We also invest in developing highly skilled, dedicated employees - and employees who are entering the workforce for the first time, from the military, and a variety of educational backgrounds.

Are you bold thinking? Find your place on our team and help us change the world!

Primary Objective

Senior Equipment Engineer – Etch

SkyWater Technology - Austin, TX

Be part of the future of American semiconductor manufacturing.

SkyWater Technology is the only pure play, U.S.-owned semiconductor foundry. As we expand advanced manufacturing in Austin, we're building a team of bold thinkers and problem-solvers committed to driving onshore innovation.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Equipment Engineer – Etch to join our diverse Engineering Team. In this role, you will directly support fab operations, maximize tool performance, and help enable 24/7 high-volume manufacturing. Working collaboratively with the team, you will drive innovation to extend equipment lifetimes, deploy predictive maintenance to prevent unplanned downtime, and qualify secondary-source parts to lower ownership costs without sacrificing product quality.

Major Areas of Accountability

• Work hands-on in the fab alongside Process/Equipment Technicians and Engineers to troubleshoot and resolve tool issues.
• Drive continuous improvements in tool uptime, reliability, and performance.
• Develop, implement, and sustain preventative and predictive maintenance programs.
• Support 24/7 production operations by responding quickly and effectively to equipment breakdowns, coordinating closely with Maintenance and Operations teams.
• Use dashboards and data to prioritize work, communicate status, and identify improvement opportunities.

Required Qualifications

• Education: BS degree in a STEM-related field.
• Experience: 2-5 years of relevant engineering experience.
• Skills:
  • Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and root-cause problem solving abilities.
  • Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, pneumatic diagrams, and electrical schematics.
  • Skilled at communicating priorities through dashboards and reports.
  • Proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Desired Qualifications

• Education: BS degree in Engineering.
• Experience: 5-7 years in the semiconductor industry with a focus on Etch equipment, including tools such as:
  • Mattson & Gasonics plasma strippers
  • TEL, AMAT, and LAM etchers
  • SEZ DaVinci
• Additional Skills:
  • Ability to review and create CAD drawings (AutoCAD, SolidWorks).
  • Experience with data analysis tools such as Excel and JMP.
  • Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or Black Belt).

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift a minimum of 50 lbs.
• Ability to work 8 hour shifts (Role is Monday through Friday).
• Ability to work with and around chemicals.
• Wear complete fab attire and meet all safety and cleanroom requirements.

Benefits

SkyWater offers an exciting environment where the brightest semiconductor minds come together to achieve exceptional results. We offer competitive salary and an opportunity to participate in incentive plans as well other employee financial benefits including 401k match, life insurance and opportunities to purchase SkyWater stock at a discounted rate.

Additionally, SkyWater offers a comprehensive benefits package which promotes a healthy life. This includes benefit eligibility day one, medical, dental, mental health benefits, vision, legal planning, short- and long-term disability, paid time off, paid holidays, an on-site cafeteria, fitness facility, and self-serve market.

EEO Statement

SkyWater complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities unless doing so would cause an undue hardship. Alternative methods of applying for employment are available to individuals unable to submit an application through this site because of a disability. To request reasonable accommodations, to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at 952-851-5200 or [e-mail].

EOE, including disability/vets

We will never ask applicants to pay fees, purchase equipment or gift cards, or provide financial information before a formal offer of employment has been accepted. If you receive a suspicious communication claiming to represent our company, please verify its authenticity by contacting our recruitment team at [e-mail] before responding.