Principal Process Engineer, Etch

Job Description/Preferred Qualifications

The Principal Process Engineer is a senior technical leader responsible for the development optimization and control of advanced etch processes. This role drives innovation resolves complex technical challenges and ensures robust production performance.

Key responsibilities

• Lead development and qualification of advanced plasma process technologies.
• Drive process optimization to meet customer specifications.
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) for reliability issues.
• Mentor engineers and define best practices.
• Interface with customers for demos qualifications and issue resolution.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including hardware software NPI and manufacturing.
• Liaise with fields teams to ensure successful transfer of processes to field.
  Establish process control strategies and SPC framework.
• Lead in key PLC etch projects.
• Deliver on etch roadmap targets.
• Research published work relevant to KLAs process development
• Write invention disclosures/patent applications
• Write technical papers for publication at conferences seminars etc.
• Communicate results and ideas to management co-workers and other teams across the business.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Strong knowledge and utllisation of DOE and statistical analysis.
• Familiarity in failure analysis and defect characterization.
• Experience with semiconductor equipment hardware and process interactions.
• Data-driven mindset with experience in process modeling/simulation and optimization.
• Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving capability.

• Excellent communication across technical and executive audiences.
• Results driven with strong ownership and accountability.
• Innovative thinking
• Hands on experience on plasma etch equipment
• Excellent time-management / multi-tasking skills to deliver results within strictly defined timelines
• Good analytical skills including the ability to carry out metrology such as SEM.
• Endpoint methods/OES experience

Minimum Qualifications

• Ideally hold a MSc/PhD in Engineering Materials Science Physics or related field PhD preferred or hold equivalent level of experience.

We offer a competitive family friendly total rewards package. We design our programs to reflect our commitment to an inclusive environment while ensuring we provide benefits that meet the diverse needs of our employees.

KLA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer

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