Photolithography Process Engineer
Coherent · Sherman, TX
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Process
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 5+ 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
- 5+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Root cause, SPC, DOE, Minitab, Automation, MES
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 (5+ 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.
Stands out: this posting asks for Minitab, MES, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with 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
- Senior Metrology Process Engineer · Quality · Senior
- Senior PECVD Process Engineer · Process · Senior
Full description from CoherentAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Develop, optimize, and maintain photolithography processes for InP wafer fabrication.
- ◆Support production using i-line, DUV, electron beam lithography, contact aligners, and coat/develop systems.
- ◆Develop, optimize, and maintain production recipes while supporting automated recipe download, recipe verification, and process standardization.
- ◆Troubleshoot process issues and identify root causes to improve yield and product performance.
- ◆Design and execute experiments to improve lithography performance, process capability, and manufacturability.
- ◆Monitor and optimize critical process metrics, including CD, overlay performance, and tool-specific process parameters.
- ◆Monitor equipment health and process performance using SPC, fault detection, and equipment data to identify trends and prevent process excursions.
- ◆Work with cross-functional teams to ensure successful integration of lithography with etch, deposition, and other manufacturing processes.
- ◆Partner with equipment, automation, and manufacturing engineers to improve equipment reliability, recipe control, and overall process capability.
- ◆Analyze process data using SPC and statistical software to maintain stable, capable processes.
- ◆Develop process documentation, operating procedures, engineering reports, and process specifications.
- ◆Support equipment qualifications, process transfers, and new product introductions.
- ◆Mentor technicians and junior engineers as needed.
Education & Experience
- ✓Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a related technical field.
- ✓At least 5 years of semiconductor photolithography process engineering experience.
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 processing GaAs and/or InP wafers in a manufacturing environment.
- •Hands-on experience as a process owner and/or equipment owner for i-line, DUV, contact aligner, or electron beam lithography systems.
- •Strong understanding of photolithography fundamentals, including resist processing, focus and exposure optimization, alignment strategies, and process window development.
- •Experience using CD and overlay metrology to monitor and improve lithography performance.
- •Experience with MES, SECS/GEM, recipe download, or factory automation systems.
- •Experience with fault detection and classification (FDC), advanced process control (APC), or equipment health monitoring.
- •Familiarity with DOE, SPC, and process capability analysis.
- •Proficiency creating database queries, automated reports, or data analysis tools using JMP, Minitab, Excel, SQL, Python, or similar software.
- •Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- •Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills with the ability to solve complex manufacturing problems.
- •Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
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
