Process Engineer 3
Lam Research · Fremont, CA
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Process
- Base pay
- $86k–$192k
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- Yesterday
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level process role at Lam Research (industrial) in Fremont, CA. The successful candidate will recommend and implement innovative metrology solutions that strengthen Lam’s technical leadership, enhance product competitiveness, and support future technology development initiatives.
- They ask for
- 5+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
- Tools it names
- Root cause, SPC, DOE
- Base pay
- $86k–$192k
- Openings
- 10 with this title at this site
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Process Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $120k–$171k. This one lists $86k–$192k.
Median of the low and high ends of 59 live postings that list pay, out of 94 process engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 93 other live process postings in California.
- Base pay
- In line with similar roles
- Experience asked
- Typical (5+ years)
Typical $120k–$171k, from 56 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Root cause 46%
- ✓ DOE 31%
- ✓ SPC 29%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 22%
- New product launch 22%
- Team leadership 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 Lam Research
We found 9 people at this company and state: 9 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 Quinton → (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: Lam Research in Fremont
18 other open roles at this site · 9 people we found in process roles at Lam Research.
- Process Engineer 5 · Process
- Process Technician 3 · Process · Technician
- Facilities Engineer 4 · Reliability
- Engineering Technician 3 · Manufacturing
- Global Product Support Engineering Manager · Manufacturing · Manager
- Process Engineer 4 · Process
Full description from Lam ResearchAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
About the role
Lam Research is seeking a highly motivated Process Engineer 3 (PE3) to join the Global Metrology Team. The successful candidate will drive the development and implementation of advanced in-situ and analytical metrology solutions to accelerate process understanding, improve on-wafer performance, and support the development of low global warming potential (GWP) process technologies with reduced carbon footprint.
The engineer will lead the application of in-situ diagnostic techniques including GP-FTIR, FTIR, Mass Spectrometry (MS), UV-Vis, Raman spectroscopy, and related technologies to establish mechanistic understanding of complex process interactions and enable next-generation process control strategies. The role will also leverage advanced analytical methods such as XPS, XRR, XRD, XRF, and FTIR to characterize process-induced surface modifications, identify root causes of defect formation, and resolve critical technical challenges in partnership with cross-functional technology teams.
The candidate will develop data-driven metrology approaches utilizing machine learning and deep learning techniques to analyze large-scale process and spectral datasets, extract actionable insights, and create predictive models linking process conditions, surface chemistry, and defectivity.
Responsibilities
include developing predictive metrology frameworks and calibrated defectivity models to support process optimization, simulation activities, and advanced defect monitoring.
This role will collaborate closely with process, product, defect inspection, and simulation teams to advance Lam’s metrology and defectivity roadmap. The engineer will evaluate and deploy emerging inspection and review technologies, including next-generation e-beam platforms, to enable high-sensitivity defect detection and predictive inspection capabilities for complex semiconductor manufacturing applications.
As a member of the Global Metrology Team, the successful candidate will recommend and implement innovative metrology solutions that strengthen Lam’s technical leadership, enhance product competitiveness, and support future technology development initiatives. The role will also be responsible for establishing and executing SPC-based monitoring and qualification methodologies to ensure critical metrology assets operate at optimal performance and meet long-term capability and reliability objectives.
Who we’re looking for
Bachelor's degree with 5+ years of experience; or a Master’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or Physics or related field with 3+ years of experience; or a PhD with no previous professional experience; or equivalent experience.
Preferred qualifications
- ✓Highly motivated candidates with a strong ability for teamwork/collaboration and customer-centric technology development style are encouraged to apply.
- ✓Experience in AI techniques (DL, CNN) and Python programming are highly preferred.
- ✓Working knowledge of statistical analysis and problem-solving methodologies.
- ✓Familiarity with working in a laboratory and on semiconductor equipment with experience in surface preparation and analytical techniques.
- ✓In-depth understanding of Statistical Process Control (SPC) and/or Design of Experiments (DOE).
- ✓Knowledge of Material synthesis and material characterization.
Our commitment
We believe it is important for every person to feel valued, included, and empowered to achieve their full potential. By bringing unique individuals and viewpoints together, we achieve extraordinary results.
Lam offers a variety of work location models based on the needs of each role. Our hybrid roles combine the benefits of on-site collaboration with colleagues and the flexibility to work remotely and fall into two categories – On-site Flex and Virtual Flex. ‘On-site Flex’ you’ll work 3+ days per week on-site at a Lam or customer/supplier location, with the opportunity to work remotely for the balance of the week. ‘Virtual Flex’ you’ll work 1-2 days per week on-site at a Lam or customer/supplier location, and remotely the rest of the time.
Salary
Our Perks and Benefits
At Lam, our people make amazing things possible. That’s why we invest in you throughout the phases of your life with a comprehensive set of outstanding benefits.
