R&D Process Engineer - Plasma Systems

Overview

The High Frequency Technology Center (HFTC) is seeking an R&D Process Engineer to develop, maintain and optimize manufacturing processes to fabricate passive interposer substrates for Keysight’s Heterogeneous Integration technology. This position is onsite at Keysight Headquarters in Santa Rosa, CA. Live in beautiful Sonoma County amongst vineyards, redwood forests, rivers, lakes and coastline while working on state-of-the-art advanced packaging technologies.

The Process Engineer will own process development and process control to meet quality and production metrics. Responsibilities include a combination of R&D and manufacturing in partnership with Design, Integration, Test, Operations, Maintenance, Product and Failure Analysis teams. The Process Engineer is accountable for yield, cycle time, throughput, and quality of their process. This role involves technical depth in semiconductor processing, strong hands‑on aptitude, as well as effective communication and teamwork to meet department‑level objectives.

Process Development Engineers at HFTC are responsible for process development and sustaining of custom, cutting‑edge, micro and nano‑fabrication technologies.

The focus of this position is process development, manufacturing sustainability, and R&D support for new product introductions, with specialization in wafer fab processes.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Deep knowledge and expertise with wafer process development in one or more of the following areas:
  Dryetch, PVD/sputtering, CVD/PECVD, ashing, or similar vacuum processes
• Own and advance plasma process performance across etch, CVD, PVD, and/or ashing tools by driving film quality, profiles, uniformity, selectivity, chamber health, defect reduction, and overall process robustness through structured DOEs
• Collaborate with equipment engineering on tool performance optimization, preventive‑maintenance strategies, throughput enhancements, and new tool installs or upgrades
• Drive process control and stability through SPC charting, daily reviews, root‑cause analysis, and corrective actions using statistical tools (e.g., JMP)
• Work closely with other process, integration, product, and circuit design engineers to define process and performance targets
• Define process flows, develop new processes and drive continuous process improvement (CPI) efforts to maximize product yield
• Report process metrics, root‑cause investigations, and process change implementations at the department level
• Ensure successful process hand off to manufacturing partners
• Work with Operations to implement robust process control and support production processes; diagnose and resolve process problems with urgency
• Lead capital equipment acquisition projects that include tool evaluation, characterization, process development, and qualification
• Have broader experience in upstream and downstream processes and the ability to understand process interactions

• Knowledge of plasma systems such as Dryetch, PVD/sputtering, CVD/PECVD, or similar vacuum processes.
• Familiarity with vacuum systems, RF power delivery, gas‑flow control, and chamber‑hardware configurations.
• Strong problem‑solving skills for measurement anomalies and tool‑drift issues.
• Experience with statistical process control (SPC) and design of experiments (DOE) is required.
• M.S. or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or related fields.
• 5+ years of professional, hands‑on experience with development and/or maintaining semiconductor processes and equipment.
• Recent graduates with extensive cleanroom and experimental background will also be considered.
• Candidates must have strong problem‑solving and analytical skills as well as excellent interpersonal and communication skills for cross‑functional interactions.
• Strong accountability, self‑initiative and proactive attitude are required for success.

Candidates must be local or willing to relocate to Santa Rosa, CA.

This position requires access to certain goods, software, technology, or technical data subject to U.S. export control laws and regulations. Under these laws and regulations, U.S. persons (which includes…