Etch Process Engineer

Company Overview

SPTS is a division of KLA that designs, manufactures, and markets wafer processing solutions for the global semiconductor and related industries. SPTS provides industry‑leading etch and deposition process technologies on a range of single‑wafer handling platforms. End‑market applications include micro‑electromechanical systems (MEMS), advanced packaging, LED, high‑speed RF device ICs, and power semiconductors. As part of KLA Corporation, SPTS offers advanced process control and enabling solutions for manufacturing wafers, reticles, integrated circuits, packaging, printed circuit boards, and flat‑panel displays, working in close collaboration with leading customers worldwide.

SPTS wafer processing solutions cover market‑leading silicon etch, dielectric etch, dry‑release etch, PVD, PECVD, and molecular vapor deposition (MVD®). Products are available with various wafer‑handling options for R&D, pilot production, or volume production environments. The division is headquartered in Newport, UK, with manufacturing in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and operates across 19 countries in Europe, North America, and Asia‑Pacific.

Working with the Etch Samples team, the primary responsibility is to develop plasma etch processes and process customer wafers using demonstration equipment. The role requires documenting and reporting all work completed after sample processing activities. It includes developing new process recipes across a range of technologies, contributing to hardware testing, providing technical support to customers, writing technical reports, generating intellectual property submissions, and supporting other business units.

The position may involve international travel and occasional shift work.

• Demonstrate plasma etch processes in line with agreed specifications.
• Evaluate process results using analytical equipment and relevant software tools.
• Perform problem‑solving and troubleshooting activities.
• Provide regular progress updates to the Product Marketing team.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with customers.
• Summarise and communicate results through technical reports, presentations, and customer updates.

• Develop plasma etch processes aligned with SPTS product capabilities and customer requirements.
• Plan and execute work safely, efficiently, and within agreed timescales.
• Utilise a range of endpoint detection techniques to optimise process control.
• Conduct marathon and reliability testing for new processes and equipment.
• Contribute to cross‑functional project teams developing new products and process technologies.
• Prepare technical documentation to support patent applications, publications, and conference presentations.

• Develop and optimise SPTS processes at customer sites to meet agreed performance specifications.
• Establish, develop, and maintain strong customer relationships.
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting assistance to customers as required.

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with experience using metrology techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).
• Knowledge of endpoint detection techniques; hands‑on experience is desirable.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across teams.
• The ability to work independently with minimal supervision, while also contributing effectively within a collaborative team environment.

Annual leave starting at 25 days (plus bank holidays), share scheme, contributory pension scheme, cash health plan, cycle‑to‑work scheme, global bonus plan, rewards scheme, and life assurance.

BSc/BEng in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.

KLA is proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer, providing a diverse and inclusive workplace that meets the needs of its employees.