Wafer Photolithography Process Development Technician - Day Shift (Monday-Friday)

Wafer Photolithography Process Development Technician - Day Shift (Monday-Friday) Full-time Job Type (exemption status): Non-Exempt position - Please see related compensation & benefits details below Salary Range: 81,000.00-108,000.00 Business Function: Engineering Support Work Location: Fremont Office–LOC_WDT_USCA13 Summary The Wafer Photolithography Process Development Technician will support HAMR Photolithography Process Development. This role ensures high‑quality wafer processing through precise execution of lithography steps, equipment troubleshooting, and strict adherence to cleanroom protocols. The technician works closely with development engineering, process, and maintenance teams to develop photo process for advanced HAMR products. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Operate photolithography tools such as coaters, developers, aligners, and steppers/scanners in a Class 1–100 cleanroom environment. Perform wafer coating, soft bake, alignment, exposure, post‑exposure bake, and development steps according to process specifications and engineering instructions. Inspect wafers using microscopes and metrology tools (e.g., CD‑SEM, profilometers, ellipsometers) to verify pattern quality and critical dimensions. Monitor equipment performance, identify abnormalities, and elevate issues to engineering or maintenance teams. Follow detailed standard operating procedures and maintain accurate production logs and documentation. Handle photoresists, developers, solvents, and other chemicals safely while following all EHS protocols. Support process improvement initiatives by providing data, observations, and feedback to engineers. Maintain cleanroom discipline, including gowning, contamination control, and proper material handling. Assist with root‑cause analysis for yield excursions or equipment faults. Track and manage wafer lot identification, routing, and inventory throughout the photolithography process flow. Participate in process characterization activities and design of experiments (DOE) to support process development and optimization. Support equipment qualification and validation activities, including baseline data collection and performance verification. Collaborate with process engineers and cross‑functional teams to troubleshoot process deviations and implement corrective actions. Maintain detailed equipment logs, including tool performance metrics, maintenance records, and process parameter documentation. Required High school diploma or equivalent; technical certificate or associate degree in chemistry, electronics, manufacturing, or related field preferred. Experience working in a wafer fab, cleanroom, or other high‑precision manufacturing environment. Familiarity with photolithography processes, including resist coating, alignment, exposure, and development. Ability to read and follow detailed SOPs, work instructions, and process documentation. Strong attention to detail and ability to perform repetitive tasks with high accuracy. Basic understanding of mechanical, electrical, or chemical systems. Comfortable working with chemicals and wearing full cleanroom PPE for extended periods. Ability to work 12‑hour shifts, nights, weekends, or rotating schedules as required. Preferred Hands‑on experience with tools from ASML, Nikon, Canon, TEL, SUSS, or similar equipment vendors. Knowledge of photoresists, developers, and lithography chemistry. Experience with metrology tools such as CD‑SEM, AFM, or optical inspection systems. Basic data analysis skills (Excel, SPC charts, yield tracking). Strong troubleshooting skills and ability to identify process or equipment deviations. Prior experience in high‑volume manufacturing (HVM) or advanced node lithography. Compensation & Benefits Details An employee’s pay position within the salary range may be based on several factors including but not limited to (1) relevant education; qualifications; certifications; and experience; (2) skills, ability, knowledge of the job; (3) performance, contribution and results; (4) geographic location; (5) shift; (6) internal and external equity; and (7) business and organizational needs. Thesalaryrange is what we believe to be the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and this range is only applicable for jobs to be performed in California, Colorado, New Yorkor remote jobs that can be performed in California, Colorado and New York. This range may be modified in the future. If your position is non‑exempt, you are eligible for overtime pay pursuant to company policy and applicable laws. You may also be eligible for shift differential pay, depending on the shift to which you are assigned. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid vacation time; paid sick leave; medical/dental/vision insurance; life, accident and disability insurance; tax‑advantaged flexible spending and health savings accounts; employee assistance program; other voluntary benefit programs such as supplemental life and AD&DD, legal plan, pet insurance, critical illness, accident and hospital indemnity; tuition reimbursement; transit; the Applause Program; employee stock purchase plan; and the WD Savings 401(k) Plan. Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company’s sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law. 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