Semiconductor Process Development Technician

Semiconductor Process Development Technician

Company: NoiseFigure Research, Inc.

Location: Redmond, Washington

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Setting: On-site

Department: Process Development / Prototype Manufacturing / R&D Engineering Support

Job Description

NoiseFigure Research is seeking a Semiconductor Process Development Technician to support hands-on process development, prototype manufacturing, advanced packaging, printed electronics, flexible substrates, and semiconductor-related R&D activities. This role supports engineering teams in developing, testing, documenting, and improving manufacturing processes used for printed circuit boards, flexible electronics, RF systems, ASIC-related prototypes, and advanced microelectronics packaging.

The Semiconductor Process Development Technician will assist with experimental builds, material preparation, equipment setup, process trials, inspection, measurement, troubleshooting, root cause analysis, process optimization, and repeatability improvement. This position requires strong hands-on technical ability, attention to detail, comfort working with manufacturing and process equipment, and the ability to follow engineering direction while documenting results clearly.

NFR provides research and engineering services, integrated circuit custom solutions, RF/analog board-level system integration, prototype manufacturing, IC packaging, and CAD design/fabrication support for customers in commercial, military, government, and aerospace industries.

Key Responsibilities

• Support semiconductor process development, advanced packaging, printed electronics, flexible electronics, and prototype manufacturing activities.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to develop, test, and implement new manufacturing and process-development methods.
• Assist engineers with process trials, experimental builds, material evaluations, and proof-of-concept fabrication.
• Prepare substrates, wafers, panels, printed circuit boards, flexible materials, inks, pastes, adhesives, dielectrics, metals, and other process materials.
• Set up, operate, monitor, troubleshoot, and clean process equipment used for prototype fabrication, assembly, printing, curing, inspection, and testing.
• Support additive and subtractive manufacturing workflows for high-density interconnects, flexible substrates, multi-layer structures, and RF packaging prototypes.
• Assist with screen printing, fine-feature printing, via filling, dielectric deposition, conductor deposition, laser processing, curing, sintering, bonding, and post-processing tasks as needed.
• Support development of multi-layer packaging platforms, flexible system-in-package structures, and high-resolution interconnect prototypes.
• Use CAD software such as SolidWorks, Creo, or AutoCAD to support tooling, fixtures, layouts, process documentation, and manufacturing improvements when needed.
• Support CNC equipment, robotic systems, machining, fabrication, assembly, welding, and tooling setup as required for process-development or prototype-manufacturing activities.
• Perform in-process inspection and basic measurements using microscopes, calipers, micrometers, profilometers, optical inspection tools, multimeters, test fixtures, or other lab and manufacturing equipment.
• Inspect process outputs for alignment, feature quality, continuity, defects, contamination, adhesion, thickness, resolution, dimensional accuracy, and overall workmanship.
• Conduct root cause analysis on process deviations, defects, equipment issues, or quality concerns, and support corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Record process parameters, equipment settings, materials used, lot information, inspection results, defects, corrective actions, and engineering observations.
• Maintain technical build records, process procedures, schematics, wiring diagrams, travelers, test logs, and revision-controlled documentation.
• Support project scheduling and coordination across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and operations teams to meet development milestones.
• Assist with process improvement efforts related to repeatability, throughput, resolution, quality, manufacturability, yield, workflow efficiency, and waste reduction.
• Apply lean manufacturing practices and continuous improvement methods to support operational excellence.
• Perform basic maintenance on industrial, lab, or manufacturing equipment while following safety and quality requirements.
• Follow cleanroom, ESD, chemical handling, factory safety, ISO 9001, and controlled-environment procedures where applicable.
• Maintain clean, organized, and properly labeled work areas, tools, materials, and equipment.
• Work closely with engineers, technicians, and project teams to support internal R&D, customer programs, and low-volume prototype manufacturing.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Industrial Technology, Semiconductor Technology, Microelectronics, or a closely related technical field.
• Hands-on experience in semiconductor processing, process development, electronics manufacturing, PCB fabrication, microelectronics assembly, cleanroom operations, materials processing, machining, fabrication, or related technical manufacturing work.
• Experience working with small components, precision tools, microscopes, process equipment, manufacturing equipment, or controlled production procedures.
• Familiarity with CAD tools such as SolidWorks, Creo, AutoCAD, or similar design/documentation software.
• Ability to use precision measuring instruments such as calipers, micrometers, microscopes, and other inspection tools.
• Ability to read and follow process travelers, engineering notes, schematics, drawings, work instructions, test procedures, and technical documentation.
• Ability to document process steps, equipment settings, materials, measurements, observations, defects, and corrective actions accurately.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to support equipment setup, troubleshooting, tooling, and process improvement.
• Ability to conduct root cause analysis and support structured problem solving for process deviations or defects.
• Strong math skills for measurements, tolerances, process calculations, and basic data review.
• Strong communication skills for working with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and operations teams.
• Ability to work safely on-site with tools, equipment, chemicals, substrates, components, and electronic materials.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in semiconductor wafer processing, cleanroom work, advanced packaging, printed electronics, flexible hybrid electronics, PCB manufacturing, SMT assembly, or microfabrication.
• Experience with screen printing, inkjet printing, electrohydrodynamic printing, microdispensing, laser processing, curing, sintering, bonding, encapsulation, or via formation.
• Experience with RF electronics, ASIC packaging, flexible substrates, high-density interconnects, or multi-layer electronic structures.
• Experience with CNC programming, CAM programming, robot programming, machining, tooling design, or industrial automation.
• Experience with ISO 9001 quality standards, lean manufacturing, corrective action processes, and manufacturing documentation.
• Experience using microscopes, optical inspection systems, profilometers, multimeters, test fixtures, or basic metrology tools.
• Familiarity with process recipes, bills of materials, travelers, engineering change documentation, and quality records.
• Familiarity with ESD controls, cleanroom procedures, chemical safety, and precision handling of electronic materials.
• Experience supporting R&D prototype builds, low-volume manufacturing, or high-mix quick-turn engineering projects.

Required Skills and Knowledge

• Semiconductor process support
• Process development and optimization
• Prototype fabrication
• Advanced packaging support
• Printed electronics and flexible substrate processing
• Material preparation and handling
• Equipment setup, operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance
• CAD/CAM support
• Tooling, fixture, and process layout support
• CNC, machining, robotics, or fabrication support
• Process documentation and technical records
• Root cause analysis and corrective actions
• Microscope inspection and precision measurement
• Basic metrology and defect identification
• Cleanroom or controlled-environment discipline
• ESD-safe practices
• Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement
• ISO 9001 quality awareness
• Engineering build support
• Safe handling of tools, chemicals, and electronic materials
• Clear communication with engineering and manufacturing teams

Work Environment

This position is performed on-site in a hands-on R&D, laboratory, prototype manufacturing, and process development environment. The role may involve work with cleanroom procedures, ESD-controlled areas, chemicals, small components, substrates, printed circuit boards, flexible materials, process equipment, inspection tools, machining or fabrication equipment, and engineering documentation.

NFR’s advanced packaging and flexible electronics work includes developing processes for flexible system-in-package platforms, high-density multi-layer interconnects, fine-feature printed conductors, dielectric printing, via printing, and prototype structures for commercial and mil/aero applications.

Benefits

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance