Process Engineer

Job Title

Process Engineer

Role Summary

The Process Engineer will develop, optimize, and qualify semiconductor and display manufacturing processes (deposition, etch, epitaxy, PVD and related technologies). The role partners with equipment engineering, product development, and customers to transfer processes from R&D to production and resolve process escalations.

Work involves data analysis, hardware characterization, DOE execution, customer-facing troubleshooting, and collaboration with cross-functional and supplier teams.

Experience Level

Entry-level / Early-career - minimum ~2+ years of relevant industry, research, or semiconductor process engineering experience.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include developing and qualifying processes, supporting product introductions, and working directly with customers and cross-functional teams.

• Develop, optimize, and qualify processes (deposition, etch, EPI, PVD) to meet product and customer requirements.
• Transfer and qualify processes on new tool platforms; ensure repeatability and manufacturability.
• Design, execute, and analyze Design of Experiments (DOE) to identify critical variables and optimize performance.
• Perform hardware characterization, measure film properties, and evaluate experimental results against specifications.
• Use statistical and data-analysis tools to drive process decisions and establish operating limits.
• Lead root-cause analysis for customer process escalations and implement corrective actions.
• Support customer demonstrations, process evaluations, technology benchmarking, and production ramp activities.
• Coordinate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to ensure availability of materials and process resources.
• Identify and drive continuous improvement opportunities in yield, productivity, and equipment performance.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience to perform the role effectively.

• Minimum ~2+ years of relevant semiconductor/process engineering experience (industry or research).
• Hands-on experience with deposition, etch, epitaxy (EPI), PVD, thin films, or related semiconductor process technologies.
• Experience designing and analyzing DOE and applying statistical process control; familiarity with tools such as JMP or Minitab.
• Process characterization, data analysis, and strong problem-solving/root-cause analysis skills.
• Customer-facing experience and ability to lead technical discussions and escalations.
• Ability to collaborate across global, cross-functional teams including equipment, product, manufacturing, and field groups.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally (~10–20%).

Nice-to-have:

• Experience with semiconductor capital equipment, technology transfer, customer qualifications, and new product introductions.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Semiconductor Engineering, or a related technical field.

About the Company

Company: Applied Materials

Headquarters: Santa Clara, CA, United States

Global leader in materials engineering solutions for the semiconductor and display industries, designing, manufacturing, and servicing equipment used to produce chips and advanced displays worldwide. Enables customers' production of semiconductor devices and display technologies and supports innovations like AI and IoT.