Sr. Process Engineer - CMP

Tower Semiconductor; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Tower Semiconductor in San Antonio, TX seeks an experienced CMP process engineer to lead development, transfer and improvement in a high-volume fab. The role requires hands-on CMP tool experience, deep process know-how, and strong experimental skills.

You will own projects, drive technology transfers, improve SPC/yield metrics, and lead technicians toward cost, quality and productivity gains in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• PhD in engineering, physics, chemistry, or materials science with 2+ years in CMP.
• Strong skills in statistics, SPC, DOE, and data analysis.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Hands-on experience with CMP tools and processes.
• Knowledge of device physics and device architecture.
• Discipline, organization, and multitasking ability.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the area and lead improvements and operations.
• Collaborate with process, integration, and yield engineers to improve SPC, yield, and defects, and to achieve first-pass tech transfers.
• Define projects for process development and improvement.
• Lead process technicians in projects and sustaining activities.
• Ensure matching of new equipment to support production ramp.
• Work with equipment engineering to improve uptime and tool utilization.
• Implement advanced process control to improve CpK at critical levels.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and drive reductions.
• Define and execute projects to improve cost, quality and productivity.
• Develop and optimize processes to support new product introductions.

Skills

Statistics

SPC

DOE

Data analysis

Hands-on CMP

Process optimization

Team leadership

Communication skills

Education

PhD in engineering/physics/chemistry/materials science

Tools

CMP tools

Job description

About Tower Semiconductor

Tower Semiconductor is a global specialty foundry leader specializing in manufacturing analog integrated circuits for more than 300 customers worldwide in growing markets such as automotive, medical, industrial, consumer, and aerospace and defense.

Job Description

The position is for an experienced CMP process engineer to lead the area for process development, transfer, and improvement in a high-volume manufacturing fab located in San Antonio, TX. The Tower fab in San Antonio is a growing manufacturing site, delivering specialty electronic devices for a wide range of applications with high quality, low cost and good cycle times. A qualified candidate will have excellent process and equipment hands‑on experience and strong experimental skills.

This Job Is For You If

• Take ownership of the area and lead by establishing the direction for improvements, sustaining and overall operation.
• Work closely with process, integration, and yield enhancement engineers to improve process metrics such as SPC, yield, parametrics and defects, as well as to achieve first‑pass success of technology transfers.
• Recognize the need and define projects for process development and improvement.
• Lead a group of process technicians in projects and daily sustaining activities.
• Ensure matching of newly installed equipment to support production ramp.
• Work with equipment engineering to improve uptime and tool utilization.
• Implement advanced process control to improve Cpk at critical levels.
• Identify cost‑saving opportunities and drive projects to reduce overall costs.
• Define projects and execute them to completion in order to improve cost, quality and productivity.
• Develop and optimize processes to support new product introduction and demonstrate manufacturability.

Working Environment

• The position requires the ability to multitask, react fast to changing conditions, and recognize problems, limitations, and opportunities.
• The level of responsibility includes making decisions with strong technical implications.
• Good verbal and written communication skills are needed due to the existing collaboration between teams.

Job Requirements

• PhD in engineering, physics, chemistry, or materials science with more than 2 years of experience in CMP.
• Proven strong skills in statistics, SPC, DOE, and data analysis techniques.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Hands‑on experience with CMP tools and processes.
• Some knowledge of device physics and device architecture.
• High degree of discipline and organization with the ability to multitask and successfully drive multiple projects simultaneously.
• Understanding of cycle time, process flows, and material management.
• The ability to analyze problems and lead the area toward the development of effective solutions.