Etch & Plasma Area Equipment Engineering Manager

Location: Sherman, TX

Work Setting: 100% onsite semiconductor manufacturing and cleanroom environment with 24/7 operational support responsibilities

Relocation: Relocation assistance available on a case-by-case basis

Compensation: $130,000 – $160,000 base salary

Bonus: Annual bonus target up to 16% plus potential RSU eligibility based on level and experience

Benefits: Full medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with employer match, paid time off, RSU eligibility, and comprehensive employer benefits package

Position Summary

The Etch & Plasma Area Equipment Engineering Manager is a highly technical semiconductor equipment leadership role responsible for driving equipment reliability, process stability, and operational excellence across plasma and dry etch manufacturing operations. This role supports advanced semiconductor fabrication processes tied to cutting-edge photonics, AI, and optoelectronic technologies.

While this role carries a management title, the primary focus is deep technical expertise and hands-on equipment engineering leadership. The ideal candidate will have strong experience with plasma and dry etch semiconductor equipment and the ability to lead troubleshooting, process improvements, and tool performance initiatives within a fast-paced fab environment. Candidates with senior principal-level technical expertise but limited formal management experience are also strongly considered.

This position plays a critical role in building scalable operational processes, improving equipment uptime, and supporting the expansion of advanced semiconductor manufacturing operations.

What You’ll Do

• Lead equipment engineering efforts supporting plasma and dry etch semiconductor manufacturing tools
• Drive equipment uptime, reliability improvements, and process stability initiatives across multiple toolsets including Ash, PVD, and PECVD platforms
• Partner closely with engineers and technicians to troubleshoot and resolve complex equipment issues
• Develop metrics, KPIs, and performance goals tied to tool availability, MTBF, PM compliance, and operational efficiency
• Lead daily operational reviews, issue escalation discussions, and recovery planning activities
• Establish structured preventive maintenance strategies and reliability improvement programs
• Drive corrective and preventive actions using structured problem-solving methodologies including 5Y, 8D, and FMEA
• Support process transfers, equipment installations, and manufacturing scale-up activities
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Process Engineering, Operations, Facilities, EHS, and Manufacturing leadership teams
• Evaluate opportunities for tool upgrades, automation improvements, and cost reduction initiatives
• Support capital equipment projects, vendor coordination, and installation activities
• Utilize SPC, MES, CMMS, and manufacturing data systems to improve data-driven decision-making
• Mentor and support engineers and technicians through hands-on leadership and technical guidance
• Maintain accurate maintenance records, PM documentation, and equipment history logs

What You Bring

• 10+ years of semiconductor equipment engineering experience within plasma, dry etch, or related semiconductor manufacturing environments
• Strong hands-on expertise supporting plasma and dry etch semiconductor toolsets
• Experience supporting Ash, PVD, PECVD, or similar semiconductor processing equipment
• Deep understanding of semiconductor equipment systems including mechanical, electrical, vacuum, and process interactions
• Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills within high-volume manufacturing environments
• Experience developing metrics, KPIs, and reliability improvement strategies
• Ability to lead in highly dynamic production environments while remaining hands-on technically
• Strong communication, organizational, and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Experience with SPC, MES, CMMS, and manufacturing data analysis systems
• Ability to support a 24/7 operational manufacturing environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous leadership, supervisor, or mentoring experience supporting engineering or technician teams
• Senior Principal Engineer-level technical expertise within plasma or dry etch operations
• Experience supporting semiconductor manufacturing scale-up or fab expansion initiatives
• Capital project and equipment installation experience
• Vendor management and supplier relationship experience
• Background in advanced semiconductor manufacturing, photonics, or optoelectronics
• Experience with automation, data visualization, or predictive maintenance initiatives

What You Get

• Competitive base salary with strong annual bonus and RSU potential
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) match
• Opportunity to work on advanced semiconductor technologies supporting the future of AI and photonics
• Highly visible technical leadership role with direct impact on fab performance and manufacturing scale-up
• Fast-paced, innovation-driven semiconductor manufacturing environment
• Strong technical autonomy and influence over equipment engineering strategy
• Opportunity to build processes, metrics, and operational systems from the ground up
• Exposure to advanced semiconductor manufacturing technologies and large-scale operational growth initiatives
• Long-term technical and leadership career growth opportunities within a rapidly growing semiconductor organization