Manufacturing Process Engineer II, Etch

Job Description

Job Description

For more than 50 years, Photronics has been a global leader in photomask technology — enabling the innovation behind smartphones, computers, automotive electronics, and countless other devices used every day. Our success is driven by advanced technology, strong customer partnerships, and most importantly, our people.

Join Photronics and be part of a collaborative, high-tech manufacturing environment where learning, engineering excellence, and continuous improvement are core to everything we do.

The Equipment Engineer for Etch Tools is responsible for the performance, reliability, and continuous improvement of etch equipment within a photomask fabrication facility. This role owns tool uptime, process stability, and defect contribution, ensuring that etch systems consistently meet production, quality, and yield targets. Working closely with Process Engineering, Manufacturing, and Facilities teams, the engineer drives preventive maintenance strategies, leads troubleshooting and root cause analysis, and supports equipment installation, qualification, and optimization. This position plays a critical role in maintaining pattern fidelity, defect control, and overall manufacturing performance.

Location: Photronics – Boise, ID (US). This is an on-site position, and we are not open to remote candidates at this time.

Responsibilities

• Own etch tool performance, including uptime, reliability, and process stability.
• Monitor equipment health, alarms, and performance metrics; respond to and resolve tool excursions.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for equipment-related failures and process deviations.
• Develop and optimize preventive maintenance (PM) and calibration strategies to improve MTBF and reduce MTTR.
• Support installation, qualification, and acceptance testing of new etch equipment, upgrades, and process changes.
• Collaborate with Process Engineers to improve etch uniformity, profile control, CD performance, reduce defects.
• Analyze tool and process data (SPC, fault detection, trend analysis) to identify improvement opportunities.
• Partner with vendors and internal teams to troubleshoot complex equipment issues and drive long-term fixes.
• Develop and maintain equipment documentation, SOPs, and maintenance procedures.
• Ensure compliance with cleanroom protocols, safety standards, and EHS requirements, particularly for plasma systems and hazardous gases/chemicals.
• Support audits, continuous improvement initiatives, and training of technicians.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Semiconductor manufacturing flow and cleanroom operations.
• Etch technology proficiency – plasma,/dry etch, gas delivery systems, RF power systems.
• Equipment performance metrics (uptime, MTBF, MTTR, defectivity).
• SPC, data analysis, and statistical problem-solving methods.
• Project management for tool installs, upgrades, and qualifications.
• Effective cross-functional collaboration (process, manufacturing, facilities, vendors).

Experience

• 5-7 years of hands-on experience in semiconductor manufacturing, photolithography, photomask engineering.
• 3+ years of experience in semiconductor, photomask, or advanced microfabrication manufacturing, with direct experience in photolithography or patterning processes.
• Hands-on experience with etch systems (plasma, dry etch, or wet etch preferred).
• Background in supporting tool installation, qualification, and upgrades.
• Familiarity with troubleshooting methodologies and equipment optimization between PM cycles.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Chemical Engineering, or related field.

Travel : Less than 5%.

Why Photronics

• Be part of a global technology leader driving innovation for the world’s biggest tech companies.
• Enjoy stability, challenge, and opportunity at a company with more than 50 years of proven success.
• Work in a collaborative, growth-focused environment where your expertise will have a real impact.
• Competitive salary and annual bonus program.
• Equity compensation eligibility.
• Full suite of health and welfare benefits.
• 401k with company match.

Equal Opportunity Statement: We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation for team members’ disabilities and religious beliefs or practices.

Agency Notice: Photronics does not accept unsolicited resumes or outreach from search firms or employment agencies. Please, no phone calls or emails to any employee regarding this opening. Resumes submitted outside of our approved agency engagement process will be considered the sole property of Photronics, and no fees will be paid if such candidates are hired. Only agencies with a valid agreement in place with Photronics and assigned to this role may submit candidates.