Wet Etch Process Engineer
Coherent · Sherman, TX
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Process
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 10+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level process role at Coherent (industrial) in Sherman, TX. A ccountability – Own the Process and the Outcome.
- They ask for
- 10+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- SPC, DOE, Automation, EHS / safety
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Process Engineer roles in Texas: typical posted base $95k–$145k.
Median of the low and high ends of 19 live postings that list pay, out of 116 process engineer openings in Texas, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Texas plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 115 other live process postings in Texas.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- More than usual (10+ vs 4+)
Typical $95k–$145k, from 19 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 4+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ SPC 43%
- Root cause 41%
- Cost reduction 22%
- ✓ Automation 22%
- New product launch 21%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Process team at Coherent
We found 1 person at this company and state: 1 in this kind of role. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Anthony → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Coherent in Sherman
19 other open roles at this site · 1 person we found in process roles at Coherent.
- Equipment Engineering Technician: B / D-Shift · Manufacturing
- Equipment Engineering Technician: Night Shift · Manufacturing
- Director of Process Engineering · Process · Director+
- AVI Process Engineer · Process
- Photolithography Process Engineer · Process
- Senior Metrology Process Engineer · Quality · Senior
Full description from CoherentAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Develop and optimize wet etch processes for VCSELs, photodiodes, and edge-emitting lasers on GaAs and InP substrates.
- ◆Define and control etch chemistry, etch rate, isotropic vs. anisotropic etching, selectivity, and undercut management to meet stringent device performance criteria.
- ◆Utilize metrology tools such as AFM, SEM, ellipsometry, profilometry, XPS, XRD, and optical interferometry for process characterization and defect analysis.
- ◆Troubleshoot etch process deviations, material compatibility issues, and surface roughness effects, implementing corrective actions to ensure high device yield and process stability.
- ◆Work closely with device engineers and integration teams to integrate wet etch processes into the overall semiconductor fabrication flow.
- ◆Establish and maintain SPC methodologies for process monitoring and continuous improvement.
- ◆Evaluate and qualify new wet etch chemistries, process automation techniques, and etch equipment to enhance process capabilities.
- ◆Develop and document etch process recipes, SOPs, failure analysis reports, and best practices for knowledge sharing and training.
- ◆Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership in wet etch process development for optoelectronic applications.
Education & Experience
- ✓Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
- ✓10+ years of hands-on experience in semiconductor wet etch process development, particularly for GaAs and InP-based optoelectronic devices.
- ✓Strong expertise in wet etch chemistry, selectivity optimization, surface roughness control, and etch stop layers.
- ✓Hands-on experience with metrology techniques such as SEM, AFM, ellipsometry, profilometry, XPS, and XRD for process verification and defect analysis.
- ✓Deep understanding of etching challenges for VCSELs, photodiodes, and EMLs, including precise mesa formation, sidewall passivation, and optical performance impact.
- ✓Proficiency in SPC, DOE, and data-driven process optimization.
- ✓Ability to work in a cleanroom environment and collaborate with cross-functional teams, including device engineers, production teams, and R&D groups.
Requirements
- ✓Work in a class 100/1000 clean room for extended periods
- ✓Wear full cleanroom attire (smock, mask, etc.)
- ✓Work with and/or around chemicals (such as solids and acids)
- ✓Stand for up to 4 hours at a time
- ✓Lift up to 16-30 Pounds
- ✓Push/Pull up to 16-30 pounds
- ✓Sit for up to 4 hours at a time
Safety
Requirements
All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.
Quality and Environmental
Responsibilities
Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and
responsibilities
within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.
Culture Commitment
Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:
I ntegrity – Create an Environment of Trust
C ollaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
A ccountability – Own the Process and the Outcome
R espect – Recognize the Value in Everyone
E nthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work
Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!
Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.
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Skills
- •Experience in high-volume semiconductor manufacturing or advanced R&D prototyping for optoelectronic devices.
- •Familiarity with chemical safety, fume hood operations, and waste disposal protocols for semiconductor wet etch processing.
- •Familiarity with automation (SECS/GEM), scripting, or AI-driven process control, including FDC and APC.
- •Demonstrated leadership in technical project management, process transfers, and mentoring junior engineers.
Working Conditions
- •Will be exposed to areas where hand tools and power tools are being operated
- •Will be exposed to areas where hazardous chemicals or gases are stored
- •Ability to work in a cleanroom environment per semi-conductor protocol/requirements
Physical
