Yield Enhancement Engineer

TSMC - Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited; Washington; On-site; USD 87,000 - 116,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-On Bonus

Relocation Assistance

Tuition assistance

Job summary

TSMC Washington is hiring a Yield Enhancement Defect Engineer to identify and eradicate defect sources in high-volume CMOS manufacturing. You’ll apply data analytics, metrology, and cross-functional collaboration to prevent excursions and optimize yields.

The role requires strong analysis, problem-solving, and teamwork skills, with on-site work at the Camas, WA campus. Eligible for sign-on, relocation, and tuition assistance benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in relevant STEM fields.
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• Comprehensive understanding of semiconductor physics, CMOS fabrication flows, failure analysis methodologies, and advanced statistical modeling software.

Responsibilities

• Defect Reduction and Yield Improvement through root-cause analysis and SPC.
• Metrology and inline inspection management to optimize defect detection.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration with Etch, Thin Film, Lithography, and Diffusion teams.

Skills

Root-Cause Analysis

Defect Roadmapping

Continuous Improvement

Inline defect inspection

Recipe Optimization

Statistical Process Control

Module & Integration Liaison

Customer Technical Partnership

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s/Ph.D. in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics or related STEM fields

Tools

PFA

SPC software

Inline inspection tools

Job description

Join TSMC Washington and help power the future of global technology. As the world’s leading semiconductor foundry, TSMC partners with industry pioneers to drive advancements in critical sectors, including healthcare, automotive, and renewable energy. At our Washington facility, we unite precision manufacturing with a culture of continuous innovation. We are seeking driven professionals who share our commitment to integrity, excellence, and collaboration to join us in shaping the next generation of technology.

A Yield Enhancement Defect Engineer at TSMC Washington bridges the gap between raw process data and customer satisfaction. The primary mission is to identify, analyze, and eradicate physical or electrical defect sources that limit wafer yields. Working inside a high-volume manufacturing cleanroom ecosystem, engineers use advanced metrology, data analytics, and cross-departmental collaboration to prevent production line deviations (excursions) and optimize mature CMOS process node.

Responsibilities include

• Defect Reduction & Yield Improvement
  - Root-Cause Analysis: Use physical failure analysis (PFA), statistical data monitoring, and electrical characterization to proactively uncover complex tool or loop-level defect modes.
  - Defect Roadmapping: Establish aggressive defect-reduction goals and optimize manufacturing steps alongside integration and module teams.
  - Continuous Improvement (CIP): Lead baseline yield expansion and baseline defect-density reduction tasks to drive structural manufacturing performance.

• Metrology & Inline Inspection Management
  - Tool Ownership: Act as the technical owner of inline defect inspection, review, and scan equipment (such as optical systems).
  - Recipe Optimization: Program, tune, and advance inline recipes to improve defect detection sensitivity while minimizing false counts.
  - Statistical Process Control (SPC): Utilize advanced SPC algorithms to catch tool or process deviations early before they compound into high-cost product scrap events.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Customer Support
  - Module & Integration Liaison: Collaborate directly with Etch, Thin Film, Lithography, and Diffusion module engineers to isolate tool-induced particle or defect signatures.

• Customer Technical Partnership

- Translate raw inline defect or yield metrics into actionable engineering data to support key global customer product run-rates and address specific manufacturing concerns.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or related STEM fields.
• Comprehensive understanding of semiconductor physics, CMOS fabrication flows, failure analysis methodologies, and advanced statistical modeling software.
• Team player with strong communication skills
• Detail oriented with excellent trouble shooting and problem solving skills
• Project management capability
• Familiarly with SPC concept practice and statistical data analysis
• Programming or semiconductor fabrication experience a plus
• Self-starting highly motivated individuals
• 0-2 years related experience

Responsibilities included

• Transferring new products and technologies from TSMC headquarters.
• Reviewing daily WAT and online/offline abnormal signal and implementing containment and preventative actions.
• Collaborating with FAB engineering team to improve yield and WAY stability and reduce process defects.
• Providing technical support to mixed signal customers.
• Customized structure process integration development.

Personal Attributes

• Convey complex technical concepts.
• Initiative-driven with priorities and responsibilities to support our needs.
• Excels as both a team player and a leader, encouraging collaboration.
• Motivated by achieving measurable results and improving performance.
• Maintains focus and accuracy when working on intricate tasks, ensuring accuracy while managing deadlines and pressures.

Work Location & Schedule

This position operates fully on-site at our campus in Camas, Washington. * Standard Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. * Flexibility: Candidates should have the flexibility to work additional hours as needed to meet business and project milestones. Production sustaining engineers are frequently required to adapt to a condensed 12-hour rotating shift or participate in on-duty weekend rotations.

Total Rewards & Compensation

At TSMC, your base salary is just one component of a highly competitive total rewards package designed to recognize your contributions. * Starting Salary Range: $87,000 to $106,764 per year (for new hires). * Full Position Range: $87,000 to $115,580 per year. Final compensation is determined by a variety of factors, including specialized skills, qualifications, education, experience, and internal equity. * Sign-On & Relocation: This position is eligible for both a Sign-On Bonus and Relocation Assistance, subject to candidate qualifications and eligibility. * Additional Incentives: Our total compensation package also features performance-based profit sharing, incentive bonuses, and tuition assistance.

Comprehensive Benefits

We are committed to supporting the holistic well-being of our employees and their families by offering a robust benefits package:

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, a dedicated employee wellness program, basic life insurance, and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) coverage.
• Financial Future: A 401(k) retirement plan with a competitive company match and an Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP).
• Work-Life Balance: 12 paid holidays per year and 120 hours of accrued Paid Time Off (PTO) during your first year.
• On-Site Campus Amenities: Access to a fully equipped fitness center, an interactive game room, an on-site physical therapist, and a subsidized café offering high-quality meals for as low as $6 a day.

For inquiries or further details regarding our benefits package, please contact us at [e-mail].

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)

TSMC Washington, LLC is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful work environment. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation at any stage of the application or interview process, please contact us at [e-mail]. Accommodation requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable employment laws.

TSMC Core Values

We invite talented individuals who share our vision to join us in shaping the future of technology. Our core values define our culture, drive our decisions, and guide our daily actions. We seek candidates who embody these principles:

• Integrity: We act with absolute honesty, honor our commitments, and deliver on our promises with humility.
• Commitment: We foster a mutually beneficial partnership between the company and our employees, aligning personal dedication with collective success.
• Innovation: The engine of our growth. We do not just generate ideas; we execute them to drive meaningful advancement.
• Customer Trust: We build deep, enduring partnerships, positioning ourselves as a reliable pillar of our customers’ long-term success.

To learn more ... please visit TSMC Core Values.