Recent Graduate-Process Engineer - Semiconductor Wafer Fabrication

Develop and sustain custom, cutting-edge, micro and nano-fabrication technologies. The focus of this position is process development, manufacturing sustainability, and R&D support for new product introductions, with specialization in wafer fabrication processes.

• Drive process control and stability through statistical process control (SPC), root cause analysis, and corrective actions using statistical tools (e.g., JMP)

• Work closely with other process, integration, product, and circuit design engineers to define process and performance targets

• Defining process flows, develop new processes and drive continuous process improvement (CPI) efforts to maximize product yield

• Develop and maintain high yields; report process metrics, root cause investigations, and process change implementations at the department level

• Ensure successful process hand off to manufacturing partners

• Work with Operations to implement robust process control and support production processes; diagnose and resolve process problems with urgency

• Champion and lead capital equipment acquisition projects that include tool evaluation, characterization, process development, and qualification

• Propose Desing of Experiment (DOE) plans, conducting experiments, and implementing process changes in a controlled fashion.

• Collaborate with equipment engineering on tool performance optimization, preventive maintenance strategies, throughput enhancements

• Meet accelerated project schedules; communicate and manage risks

Depending on the candidate's expertise, responsibilities may include one or more of the following domains:

• Wafer fabrication: PECVD/CVD, dry etch, PVD/sputtering, ashing, or similar vacuum-based processes, electroplating, Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP), solvent strip, surface cleaning and preparation.

• Metrology: profilometry, ellipsometry, SEM, XRF, optical microscopy, automatic inspection.

• Broader experience in upstream and downstream processes and the ability to understand process interactions is valued.

M.S. or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or relevant fields coupled with applicable experience training and interest in semiconductor fabrication processes.

B.S. graduates with relevant experimental research experience/internships will also be considered.

Qualified candidates must be a recent graduate in 2026 or degree completed by June 2027.

Candidates must be local or willing to relocate to Santa Rosa, CA

We are seeking a recent graduate with expertise/academic training or internship experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Cleanroom or related experimental research

• Proven experience in process development and data-driven process optimization

• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills for controlling process variation

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, written and presentation communication skills. The successful candidate must be able to communicate complex technical information in a clear, concise, and direct manner, present data effectively to both small and large audiences, and collaborate productively across cross-functional teams.

• Strong accountability, self-initiative and proactive attitude are required for success.

The following qualifications are desired but not required:

• Industrial semiconductor process experience

• Familiarity with vacuum systems, RF power delivery, gas flow control, and chamber hardware configurations

• III-V compound semiconductors and/or silicon technologies

• Thermal, mechanical and electrical reliability

• Project lifecycle