R&D Engineer Chemical Mechanical Polishing

R&D Engineer Chemical Mechanical Polishing

Chemical Mechanical Polishing (CMP) is a critical technology for the nanoelectronics industry. CMP uses chemical formulations containing abrasive nanoparticles to polish wafers, removing unwanted dielectric or metallic material and achieving surface planarization.

This position has a dual focus:

As an R&D Engineer CMP, you will become a recognized expert in your field, shaping solutions that impact the imec ecosystem and enabling CMP technologies for future nodes.

You will join imec’s CMP R&D team, which develops advanced process solutions enabling next-generation devices for Logic, Memory, Interconnect, 3

Di, Optical I/O, Quantum, and Life Sciences programs.

The team currently consists of ~20 people with whom you interact daily. However, you will also work in a dynamic multidisciplinary environment in close cooperation with other researchers, scientists, hardware and process engineers, device and process experts, equipment vendors, industrial assignees and operators.

As a specialist in your field, you will map, develop, optimize, maintain, and document high‑end CMP processes on state‑of‑the‑art 300mm equipment while leading data‑driven process control, mining complex datasets to identify improvement opportunities and translating insights into robust control strategies that accelerate development.

More specifically, your tasks include:

• Design, conduct, andanalyzeexperiments, integrating statistical methods and data-driven insights to validate
  
  CMP performance.
• Explore complex datasets and apply model-based process control techniques (e.g., SPC, DOE, predictive modeling) toidentifyimprovement opportunities and accelerate development.
• Verify CMP process performance and implement corrective actions based on quantitative analysis.
• Gain a fundamental understanding of design impact on CMP performance and translate findings into robust control strategies.
• Coordinate and implement developed CMP processes in our 300mmfaborganization together withfabprocess engineers and the pilot line, including smooth transfer to support and operational teams.
• Work cross-functionally with integration, process support, hardware teams, and industrial partners to align data‑driven improvements with integration needs.
• Actively contribute to research and joint development programs with external partners, driving activities for new tool sets, materials, metrology tools, and methodologies.
• Monitor industry trends and innovations, applying scientific knowledge and advanced analytics to imec research programs.
• Interface with device engineers and researchers toanticipatefuture CMP needs and data requirements.
• Report your work internally and externally, including conference and journal publications.
• Receive on-the-job coaching froma mentor/buddy, fellowcolleaguesand the CMP team lead.

We offer you the opportunity to join one of the world’s premier research centers in nanotechnology at its headquarters in Leuven, Belgium. With your talent, passion and expertise, you’ll become part of a team that makes the impossible possible. Together, we shape the technology that will determine the society of tomorrow.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and proud of our open, multicultural, and informal working environment with ample possibilities to take initiative and show responsibility. We commit to supporting and guiding you in this process; not only with words but also with tangible actions. Through imec.academy, our corporate university, we actively invest in your development to further your technical and personal growth.

We are aware that your valuable contribution makes imec a top player in its field. Your energy and commitment are therefore appreciated by means of a market appropriate salary with…