Engineer I — Process (Poly/Nit Etch)

Job Title

Engineer I — Process (Poly/Nit Etch)

Role Summary

Entry-level process engineer responsible for the development, monitoring, and optimization of poly and nitride etch processes in a high-volume integrated circuit manufacturing environment. Work includes equipment qualification, process characterization, experiment design, data analysis, and cross-functional problem solving.

Position is based in Colorado Springs on 1st shift and supports manufacturing and continuous improvement activities for etch processes.

Experience Level

Entry-level (Engineer I). The posting does not specify required years of prior experience.

Responsibilities

Typical responsibilities include process control, experimentation, documentation, and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

• Monitor and optimize poly/nitride etch tool performance and process results.
• Correlate inline process monitors to parametric measurements and maintain monitoring data.
• Establish and document equipment and process operating specifications and develop OCAPs.
• Design, coordinate, and perform experiments to develop new processes and improve manufacturing techniques.
• Participate in team activities to solve process and device problems and reduce process variation.
• Provide technical direction and training to support personnel and mentor next-generation engineers.
• Analyze, summarize, and integrate project results; prepare and present reports to management.
• Apply structured problem-solving and risk-analysis tools (PFMEA, 8D, fault tree, fishbone, Is/Is-Not) in team settings.
• Provide dispositions for affected processes, tools, and lots when required; communicate with other functional groups.
• Plan and execute technical projects related to etch process performance and yield improvement.

Requirements

Required technical and professional skills for the role.

• Ability to read, interpret, and analyze scientific and technical literature and procedures; present findings to management and technical audiences.
• Strong applied mathematics and statistics skills (probability, distributions, analysis of variance, correlation techniques).
• Ability to define problems, collect and analyze data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills; able to lead problem-solving and quality improvement activities.
• Practical problem-solving ability with limited standardization and multiple variables; interpret formulas, graphs, and scientific data.
• General knowledge of engineering practices relevant to integrated circuit manufacturing (materials, chemistry, mechanics, electrical, and physics fundamentals).

Preferred / Nice-to-have

• Familiarity with MATLAB, Mathematica, LabVIEW, or JMP.
• Project management capability and experience mentoring technicians.
• Competency troubleshooting mechanical, vacuum, computer, and electrical systems used in semiconductor processing equipment.

Physical and travel: Travel 0–25%. Physical capability to lift/carry ~50 lbs; typical work split: sit 5%, stand 60%, walk 35%.

Education Requirements

BS degree in a related engineering discipline required. MS or PhD in a related engineering discipline will be considered. Preferred disciplines: Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or related engineering/technical fields.

About the Company

Company: Microchip

Headquarters: Chandler, Arizona, USA

Microchip is a leading semiconductor company focused on developing innovative solutions to enhance the human experience. With a commitment to empowering innovation, Microchip prioritizes the value of its employees by fostering a culture that supports their growth and contributions.