Staff Process Engineer, Plasma Etch

Magic Leap; Plantation (KY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Magic Leap is seeking a Staff Process Engineer in Optical Process Engineering to advance light-field technology by developing and deploying advanced dry etch processes in a cleanroom manufacturing flow. You will collaborate across R&D, Equipment Engineering, Manufacturing, Metrology, and Quality to ensure process readiness for high-volume waveguide production.

This hands-on role focuses on process development, yield improvement, transfer, and scale-up, with heavy emphasis on DOE, SPC, and

Qualifications

• 8+ years of nanofabrication or microfabrication experience.
• Hands-on with dry etch/plasma processing equipment.
• Degree in Electrical, Chemical, Mechanical, or Materials Science Engineering or related.
• Cleanroom wafer processing experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize dry etch and plasma processes for wafer manufacturing.
• Design experiments, analyze data, improve process capability.
• Lead process transfer and scale-up to high-volume production.
• Collaborate with R&D, Manufacturing, Metrology, and Equipment teams.
• Maintain SOPs, documentation, and operating standards.

Skills

Nanofabrication

Process development

DOE / SPC

Analytical skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Chemical, Mechanical, or Materials Science Engineering

Tools

Dry etch equipment

Plasma processing

Vacuum systems

SEM/TEM metrology

Job description

A new paradigm of computing

Magic Leap is a pioneer in Augmented Reality (AR) optics, display systems, platforms, devices services, prototyping and manufacturing capabilities. We are known for our unmatched optics stack and have developed ultra-lightweight waveguides and display systems that advance what is possible in AR. With more than a decade of experience in AR innovation, we have made groundbreaking advancements in text legibility, color fidelity and rich digital content visuals while continually expanding the field of view to create engaging, immersive AR experiences.

Magic Leap could be your place if you want to be part of a united team where everyone is empowered and trusted to make an impact. At Magic Leap, you can explore innovative solutions and use your talents to solve real-world problems. Working alongside industry experts, you can grow your skills while helping make our technology available to millions of people as a partner in the AR ecosystem. We know that successful change and progress accelerates diverse perspectives. As we shape our future, everyone’s voice matters. Together, we can reimagine the world of work and, with our bold partners, make the impossible possible.

The opportunity

As a Staff Process Engineer within our Optical Process Engineering team, you will directly contribute to our light-field technology by developing and deploying advanced dry etch processes into our eyepiece manufacturing flow. You will work cross-functionally with R&D, Equipment Engineering, Manufacturing, Metrology, and Quality teams to ensure process readiness for high-volume waveguide manufacturing. This is a highly visible, hands‑on role focused on process development, yield improvement, process transfer, and manufacturing scale‑up within a cleanroom semiconductor‑style environment.

Location:

This position requires being fully onsite at our Austin, TX or Plantation, FL facilities to support hands‑on collaboration and daily operations. Relocation assistance is available for non‑local candidates.

What you’ll do

• Be part of a high-performing New Product Introduction team developing next-generation optical waveguide technologies
• Develop, optimize, and sustain dry etch and plasma processes for wafer-based manufacturing applications
• Design experiments, analyze process data, and generate reports to improve process capability and manufacturing performance
• Drive process control, yield improvement, and defect reduction using DOE, SPC, CPK analysis, and structured root cause methodologies
• Troubleshoot complex process and equipment issues in partnership with manufacturing and equipment engineering teams
• Support transfer of R&D processes into high-volume manufacturing, including process qualification and scale-up activities
• Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, manufacturing, metrology, and equipment teams to develop new processes and capabilities
• Develop and maintain SOPs, process documentation, training materials, and operational standards
• Lead PFMEA, OCAP, Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives focused on optical quality, throughput, OEE, and cost reduction
• Support implementation of process automation, advanced analytics, and data‑driven process optimization strategies
• Mentor engineers and technicians while helping scale robust, production-ready manufacturing processes

The experience you bring

• 8+ years of experience in nanofabrication, semiconductor manufacturing, or related microfabrication environments
• Hands‑on experience with dry etch/plasma processing equipment, vacuum systems, process development, recipe optimization, and yield improvement
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical, Chemical, Mechanical, or Materials Science Engineering, or a related technical field
• Hands‑on wafer processing experience in cleanroom semiconductor or optical manufacturing environments
• Strong understanding of plasma physics, plasma‑surface interactions, and etching mechanisms
• Experience with SPC, DOE, process capability analysis, and structured root cause methodologies such as Six Sigma or DMAIC
• Ability to troubleshoot complex process and equipment issues in high-volume manufacturing environments

It’s exciting if you also have

• M.S. or Ph.D. in a related engineering discipline
• Experience with JMP or other statistical analysis tools
• Metrology experience using SEM, TEM, or related characterization techniques
• Familiarity with FDC, automated data collection, or process automation systems
• Experience supporting wafer‑level optics, photonics, or advanced optical manufacturing environments

Additional Requirements

• 30-50% travel required, including trips to Plantation, FL for cross‑site collaboration

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to Equal Employment Opportunities guidelines.

Accommodations

If you need an accommodation during the application, interviewing, or hiring process, you may request an accommodation by emailing [e-mail]. Magic Leap will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities to the extent required by applicable law.

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