Wafer Fab Process Engineer

Teledyne FLIR · Goleta, CA

Level: Engineer
Team: Process
Base pay: $91k–$121k
Degree: Required (or equivalent experience)
Experience asked: 5+ years
Industry: Aerospace & defense
Posted: 30+ days ago

The role in 30 seconds

An engineer-level process role at Teledyne FLIR (aerospace & defense) in Goleta, CA. As part of the uncooled detector (focal plane array) research and development team, the successful candidate will have responsibility for engineering wafer fab processes including plasma etch, thin film deposition, lithography, and wet cleans for next.

They ask for: 5+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
Tools it names: Lean, Six Sigma, Root cause, SPC, DOE, Automation
Base pay: $91k–$121k
Day to day: some off-shift / weekend coverage

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

It asks for 5+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone on the team first.

At a glance

Off-shift / weekend coverage

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

Your game plan for this job

Most people just hit Apply. Do these first and you show up with someone on the inside.

1
Find 2–3 people on the Process team at this site
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply most.
2
Send a short, curious note
Ask about the work, not for a referral. We write it for you.
3
Have a 15-minute chat
Good questions for this role:
- 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 does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
4
Apply, ideally with a referral
Ask if they'd refer you or introduce you to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link and tell them the day you apply.
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.

About the role

Job Summary

As part of the uncooled detector (focal plane array) research and development team, the successful candidate will have responsibility for engineering wafer fab processes including plasma etch, thin film deposition, lithography, and wet cleans for next generation infrared detector designs. Candidate will design and implement new processes and automate or improve existing ones to support aggressive technology development goals. They will also own different tools and associated modules in the area. Candidate will characterize wafers and devices using SEM and or FIB/SEM. As part of process development, hands-on wafer fabrication and characterization of pilot lots is required. This is the right place for a self-directed, goal-oriented, collaborative engineer. The work is varied and challenging where creative problem-solving opportunities are many. Our culture is collaborative, supportive, and fun. The work environment is mixed general office and clean room/lab.

Responsibilities

◆Innovate new processes to enable the technology roadmap
◆Design and execute experiments, analyze data, draw conclusions, document, and communicate results
◆Own tools and process modules in the area
◆Establish feasibility of new processes through hands‑on processing of pilot lots on production equipment
◆Characterize results using quantitative metrology tools
◆Automate or improve established processes
◆Document methods and workflows in MES‑ready format
◆Plan for statistical process control (SPC) practices as appropriate
◆Evaluate production yield challenges and recommend improvements

Job

Qualifications

✓Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in related technical discipline required
✓0-5 years of related experience desired
✓Proficient computer skills – Word, Excel & Outlook
✓Ability to communicate clearly in written and spoken English
✓Strong data analysis skills (fluency in Excel, MatLAB JMP, Python, SQL, or equivalent is helpful)
✓Ability to use inspection equipment (microscopes, FIB/SEM, interferometers), semiconductor fabrication equipment, and wet bench chemistry
✓Direct experience with one or more key wafer fabrication processes
✓Familiarity and/or strong desire to learn microelectronic/semiconductor and MEMS fabrication techniques
✓Applicants must be either a U.S. citizen or Perm Resident

Show full description ↓

Be visionary

Teledyne Technologies Incorporated provides enabling technologies for industrial growth markets that require advanced technology and high reliability. These markets include aerospace and defense, factory automation, air and water quality environmental monitoring, electronics design and development, oceanographic research, deepwater oil and gas exploration and production, medical imaging and pharmaceutical research.

We are looking for individuals who thrive on making an impact and want the excitement of being on a team that wins.

Job Description

About the job

We are looking for individuals who thrive on making an impact and want the excitement of being on a team that wins.

Desired Background

+Wafer processing tools for semiconductor or MEMS fabrication
+Infrared detector technology
+Statistical Process Control and Design of Experiments familiarity desired
+Lean Six Sigma or other problem solving/decision making methods (8D, Kepner-Tregoe, or equivalent)

What We Offer

•Competitive Salary & Benefits Package
•Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance starting Day 1
•Paid Vacation, Sick Time, and Holidays
•401(k) with Company Match
•Employee Stock Purchase Plan
•Tuition Reimbursement for Education
•Fun Employee Events throughout the year