Plasma Technologist
Listed on 2026-07-01
-
Engineering
Process Engineer, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer
Plasma Technologist
Title:
Plasma Technologist
Reports To:
CTO
Position Type:
Regular, Full-Time, Exempt, On-Site/In-Person
Location:
San Jose, CA
The Plasma Technologist will be responsible for the full lifecycle of plasma-enhanced film deposition products—from R&D, process and hardware integration, HVM readiness, and customer adoption. This is a high-visibility role requiring strong leadership across cross-functional teams including engineering, product marketing, and customer interface. A key expectation is to take ownership of productivity and reliability issues, ensuring all are addressed before product release to HVM.
Major Responsibilities:
- Lead the design and development of PEALD and PECVD thin film deposition processes that meet stringent customer requirements for advanced semiconductor applications
- Drive product development with a strong focus on plasma physics, chamber architecture, software-hardware integration, and tool productivity.
- Lead platform integration and collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet performance, reliability, and cost targets.
- Ensure product maturity by owning and resolving all throughput, yield, and process control for HVM release.
- Employ process development methods such as DOE and systematic experimental design, and statistical data analysis skills to plan, analyze and summarize data.
- Prepare and present data summaries to executive management and be capable of recommending and driving the appropriate technical direction.
- Generate novel ALD and CVD process technology IP that gives the company a competitive edge.
- Act as the single point of contact for internal stakeholders and external customers for plasma product performance and readiness.
- Stay abreast of state-of-the-art academic research and industry technological advances. Initiate and foster collaborations with academia and consortia.
- Provide technical leadership and guidance to less experienced engineers.
- Support internal product development as well as external customer work.
- Collaborate closely with Marketing, Business Development, and Account Teams to support product positioning and customer engagements.
- Support Alpha, Beta, and demo system readiness, including site qualifications and customer feedback incorporation.
- Drive Plasma & EM simulation projects with other PCTC members
Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or related field with 5+ years of experience; or M.S. with 7+ years of relevant industry experience.
- Deep expertise in PEALD, PECVD, and related plasma processes (e.g., ICP, RIE).
- Proven success delivering semiconductor capital equipment from development through HVM qualification.
- Strong understanding of the relationship between process and hardware in tool design and performance.
- Experience with thin film metrology, statistical analysis (DOE, JMP, etc.), and fab process integration.
- Experience with using plasma simulation software.
- Demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and manage complex development programs.
- Strong problem-solving mindset and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
- Must possess solid communication skills and be able to present to executive staff.
- Must possess a positive, can-do attitude and demonstrate creative problem-solving skills.
- Up to 10% travel.
The salary offered to a selected candidate will be based on several factors including location and level and will vary depending on confirmed job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as pre-public stock award program, as applicable.
(If this job is in fact in your jurisdiction, then you may be using a Proxy or VPN to access this site, and to progress further, you should change your connectivity to another mobile device or PC).