Etch - PECVD - Sr Equipment Engineer

Work Setting: 100% onsite semiconductor manufacturing environment in Fremont, CA

Compensation: $91,625 – $150,000 base salary

Bonus: Annual bonus opportunity up to 12%

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401(k), paid time off, employee stock programs, and comprehensive employer benefits package

Relocation: Available on a case-by-case basis

Sponsorship: Will consider H1b-transfers/TN-1 Visas

Position Summary

A global leader in photonics and semiconductor technology is seeking a Senior Equipment Engineer to support critical Etch, PECVD, and Thin Film manufacturing operations within a high-volume semiconductor wafer fabrication environment.

This is a highly visible equipment engineering role responsible for the reliability, performance, qualification, and continuous improvement of critical semiconductor manufacturing equipment. The successful candidate will serve as the primary equipment owner for Etch, PECVD, Sputter, ICP, RIE, and related process tools while partnering closely with Process Engineering, Manufacturing, Facilities, and Maintenance teams to maximize uptime, improve yield, and drive operational excellence.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on semiconductor equipment engineer who enjoys troubleshooting complex tool issues, leading equipment improvement projects, and driving long-term reliability initiatives that directly impact fab performance and production output.

What You'll Do

• Own the performance, reliability, and maintenance strategy for Etch, PECVD, and Thin Film equipment

• Lead troubleshooting efforts, root-cause investigations, and corrective actions for equipment-related issues

• Drive equipment uptime, availability, and reliability improvement initiatives

• Support equipment installation, startup, qualification, and process transfer activities

• Lead TPM, preventive maintenance, and continuous improvement programs

• Manage equipment upgrades, modifications, and capital improvement projects

• Analyze equipment performance data using JMP and other analytical tools to identify improvement opportunities

• Partner with Process Engineering to improve process stability, yield, and manufacturing performance

• Coordinate with OEMs, vendors, and service providers to resolve technical issues and improve equipment support

• Develop maintenance procedures, equipment documentation, and best practices

• Mentor technicians and junior engineers on troubleshooting methodologies and equipment ownership practices

• Support manufacturing operations in a fast-paced production environment

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline preferred

• 10+ years of semiconductor wafer fabrication equipment engineering experience

• Strong hands-on experience supporting Etch equipment

• Strong hands-on experience supporting PECVD equipment

• Experience supporting Sputter or Thin Film deposition equipment

• Proven expertise in equipment troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and reliability improvement

• Experience leading equipment qualifications, installations, and startup activities

• Strong JMP experience required

• Experience managing equipment vendors and OEM support organizations

• Strong understanding of semiconductor manufacturing operations and wafer fabrication environments

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills

• Ability to work cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Facilities, and Maintenance teams

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with ICP, RIE, or E-Beam equipment

• Reliability engineering experience

• TPM implementation experience

• Programming, automation, or data analytics experience

• OEM or Field Service Engineering background

• Experience leading capital equipment projects

• Advanced statistical analysis and equipment performance modeling experience

• Compound semiconductor, photonics, or advanced wafer fabrication experience

Why This Opportunity

• Ownership of critical semiconductor manufacturing equipment with direct impact on fab performance

• Opportunity to work with advanced Etch, PECVD, and Thin Film technologies

• Strong technical autonomy and influence within the engineering organization

• Exposure to equipment upgrades, capital projects, and advanced manufacturing initiatives

• Collaborative engineering culture with significant cross-functional interaction

• Opportunity to mentor and develop less-experienced engineers and technicians

• Career growth into Principal Engineer, Reliability Engineering, Technical Leadership, or Engineering Management

• Global technology organization with strong investment in semiconductor manufacturing and advanced photonics technologies

• High-visibility role supporting products that enable next-generation communications, networking, and AI infrastructure technologies