Staff Process Engineer - CMP

Tower Semiconductor Ltd.; San Antonio, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Tower Semiconductor is seeking an experienced CMP Process Engineer to lead development, transfer, and continuous improvement in our San Antonio, TX fab. You will own process initiatives, partner with process, integration, and yield teams, and guide technicians to deliver high-quality, cost-efficient production.

The role emphasizes deep CMP tool expertise, device physics knowledge, and the ability to drive projects from concept to completion while improving cycle times and uptime.

Qualifications

• Must have: M.S. or Ph.D. in a relevant field, or a B.S. with 5+ years of related experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly and effectively convey complex technical information to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience operating and optimizing Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) tools and processes.
• Working knowledge of device physics and device architecture.
• Strong understanding of cycle time management, process flows, and material handling.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex problems and lead the team in developing effective, sustainable solutions.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the area by setting the strategic direction for continuous improvement, sustained performance, and overall operational excellence.
• Partner with process, integration, and yield enhancement engineers to strengthen key process metrics such as SPC, yield, parametrics, and defect rates, ensuring first-pass success in technology transfers.
• Identify opportunities and define targeted projects for process development and improvement.
• Lead and guide a team of process technicians through project work and daily sustaining activities.
• Ensure newly installed equipment is properly matched and qualified to support production ramp requirements.
• Collaborate with equipment engineering to enhance uptime and maximize tool utilization.
• Implement advanced process control methods to improve Cpk at critical process steps.
• Uncover cost-saving opportunities and lead initiatives to reduce overall operational costs.
• Define and drive projects through to completion, delivering measurable improvements in cost, quality, and productivity.
• Develop and optimize processes to support new product introductions, demonstrating strong manufacturability.

Skills

Ownership

Team leadership

Process optimization

Communication skills

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

M.S./Ph.D. or B.S. + 5+ years experience

Tools

CMP tools

Job description

Looking for a career path in the high-tech industry? Become part of a team focused on delivering the most exciting semiconductor technology in the world! If you enjoy working with others in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and are looking for an opportunity to grow your career in this exciting industry, then Tower Semiconductor is the place to be!

Tower Semiconductor, the leading foundry of high-value analog semiconductor solutions, provides technology, development, and process platforms for analog integrated circuits to more than 300 customers worldwide across growing markets such as communications, mobile, infrastructure, consumer, industrial, automotive, medical, and aerospace and defense, among others.

Join Tower and become part of a dynamic organization with exceptionally talented and dedicated team members who work collaboratively to provide best-in-class technological solutions to our clients.

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced CMP Process Engineer to lead process development, transfer, and continuous improvement efforts within our high-volume manufacturing fab in San Antonio, TX. Our Tower fab in San Antonio is a growing manufacturing site dedicated to delivering specialty electronic devices across a wide range of applications, consistently upholding high quality standards, cost efficiency, and strong cycle times. The ideal candidate will bring excellent hands-on process and equipment experience, along with strong experimental and problem-solving skills.

• Take full ownership of the area by setting the strategic direction for continuous improvement, sustained performance, and overall operational excellence.
• Partner closely with process, integration, and yield enhancement engineers to strengthen key process metrics—including SPC, yield, parametrics, and defect rates—while ensuring first-pass success in technology transfers.
• Identify opportunities and define targeted projects for process development and improvement.
• Lead and guide a team of process technicians through both project work and daily sustaining activities.
• Ensure newly installed equipment is properly matched and qualified to support production ramp requirements.
• Collaborate with equipment engineering to enhance uptime and maximize tool utilization.
• Implement advanced process control methods to improve Cpk at critical process steps.
• Uncover cost-saving opportunities and lead initiatives to reduce overall operational costs.
• Define and drive projects through to completion, delivering measurable improvements in cost, quality, and productivity.
• Develop and optimize processes to support new product introductions, demonstrating strong manufacturability.

This Job Is For You If:

• Take ownership of the area, leading the direction for improvements and overall sustaining operations.
• Partner closely with process, integration, and yield enhancement engineers to improve process metrics such as SPC, yield, parametrics, and defects, and ensure first-pass success of technology transfers.
• Recognize needs and define projects for process development and improvement.
• Lead a team of process technicians in projects and daily sustaining activities.
• Ensure newly installed equipment is properly matched to support production ramp.
• Collaborate 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 and execute projects to completion to improve cost, quality, and productivity.
• Develop and optimize processes to support new product introduction and demonstrate manufacturability.
• Requires the ability to multitask, react quickly to changing conditions, and identify problems, limitations, and opportunities.
• Involves making decisions with significant technical implications.
• Requires strong verbal and written communication skills to support close collaboration between teams.

Job Requirements

Must Have:

• M.S. or Ph.D. in a relevant field, or a B.S. with 5+ years of related experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly and effectively convey complex technical information to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience operating and optimizing Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) tools and processes.
• Working knowledge of device physics and device architecture.
• Strong understanding of cycle time management, process flows, and material handling.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex problems and lead the team in developing effective, sustainable solutions.