Technology Development Engineer

Polar Semiconductor; BLOOMINGTON (MN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Polar Semiconductor in Bloomington, MN is seeking a seasoned engineer to lead GaN on silicon HEMT process development and transfer, aiming for reliable, manufacturable devices.

The role includes designing experiments, running simulations, analyzing results, and collaborating with Process and Device teams to ensure device performance and yield.

A Master’s or PhD in EE/Physics/Materials Science and 5+ years of relevant experience are typical prerequisites.

Qualifications

• Masters or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics or Materials Science.
• Experience with GaN devices and III-V nitrides is preferred.
• Experience in process integration and data analysis is required.

Responsibilities

• Set up and perform process and device simulations to determine initial parameters.
• Design and perform experiments to optimize new process flows.
• Analyze electrical and in-process data from test lots to guide optimization.
• Collaborate with Process and Device Engineers to develop manufacturable processes.
• Support transfer of new processes to production and identify improvement opportunities.
• Provide development updates to management and customers.

Skills

GaN on silicon HEMT

III-V nitrides

Process integration

Electrical test data

Failure analysis

Power packaging

TCAD simulations

JMP

Spotfire

Education

Master's or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics or Materials Science

Tools

TCAD Process Simulations

JMP

Spotfire

Job description

• Contribute to the development/transfer, optimization, and documentation of the overall process flow and macro modules required to fabricate reliable, manufacturable devices on GaN on Silicon (HEMT), which meet parametric and performance goals.
• Characterize, evaluate, and document semiconductor devices to ensure reliability and performance to quality standards.
• Evaluate new opportunities for development and/or transfer of new semiconductor technology and processes.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Set up and perform process and device simulations to determine initial process parameters, capabilities, and direction for optimization of new process flows.
• Design and perform experiments and analyze the results to determine the process sequences and parameters which will yield the target device parameters, by using the results of the process simulations or initial test lots as a starting point.
• Analyze data (electrical, in-process measurement or visual inspection) from the fabrication of test lots to determine which parameters require additional optimization.
• Work with Process Engineering to develop, characterize, and optimize process modules.
• Support the processing of the initial test chip and transfer lots fabricated with the new process to identify and correct any problem areas and work to achieve first-pass success.
• Provide inputs to and work with Device Engineers to develop layout rules for the process being developed, using equipment specifications and experimental data.
• Recommend test structures for and contribute to the layout of test chip mask sets to aid in developing the new process and evaluating specific process‑dependencies of device parameters.
• Provide weekly, monthly, quarterly development updates to upper management and external customers.
• Support company initiatives, such as; quality, safety and environmental management, CQI, 5S, yield management, and cost containment
• Perform other duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Strong knowledge of several of the following, as needed to perform exact duties:
• Strong process integration knowledge of GaN on silicon HEMT power devices
• Strong knowledge of semiconductor device physics, specially III-V nitrides
• Working knowledge of key process modules (Photo, Etch, Thin Films, CMP, MOCVD, etc.)
• Broad knowledge of GaN market trends and new opportunity evaluation experience preferred
• Process Integration Experience in CMOS/BCDMOS or Discrete IGBTs/MOSFETs a plus
• Experience in Process Flow Design to Achieve Manufacturability Metrics and Meet Electrical Test Targets
• Experience with and Understanding of Electrical Test Data and its Correlation to Process and Cross-sectional data
• Experience Interpreting Failure Analysis Results and Familiarity with Failure Analysis techniques
• Experience with Power Packaging including Assembly and Reliability issues
• Experience in Backend (BGBM, STM, etc.) Processes
• Experience in Development of Process, Technology and Design FMEA’s
• Skills
• DoE Design and Data Analysis Tools (JMP, Spotfire)
• TCAD Process Simulations
• Reading and Interpretation of Design Layouts
• Abilities
• Working with and Interpreting Information/Data between Design and Process Teams
• Driving for Solutions and Collaborating on Cross-functional Teams
• Technical Leadership Ability (Education, experience and communication skills)

Typically requires a Masters or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics or Material Science and 5+ years of experience in a relevant job function.