Sr Vapor Etch Process Engineer (Wet Process)

Job Description Summary 

As a Process Engineer specializing in vapor phase etch, you will be responsible for developing, optimizing, and sustaining advanced vapor etch processes used in semiconductor manufacturing. This role primarily focuses on gas-phase chemical processes (e.g., HF-based oxide removal, selective etch applications) to improve product quality, yield, and reliability. 
 
You will leverage deep understanding of vapor etch chemistry, tool hardware, and process interactions to drive defect reduction, process control, and production stability while resolving complex manufacturing challenges. 

Job Description 

At Micron-Boise, ID, we are undergoing a historic $15 billion investment in semiconductor manufacturing; construction began in early 2023, with DRAM production slated for the second half of the decade. 
 
As a leader in the semiconductor industry, we build solutions that inspire and transform technology. With plans to invest more than $150 billion globally over the next decade in leading-edge manufacturing, we are looking for passionate people to join our Boise expansion team. 
 
Unlike most semiconductor companies where vapor etch resides in dry etch, Micron integrates vapor etch within Wet Process engineering, requiring strong cross-domain expertise in both wet chemistry and gas-phase surface reactions. 

Role Overview 

As a Vapor Etch Process Engineer, you will own the development and manufacturability of vapor-phase cleaning and etch processes. This includes HF vapor etch, selective oxide removal, surface preparation, and defectivity control across advanced DRAM technologies. 
 
You will partner with equipment, integration, and yield teams to optimize process performance and enable high-volume manufacturing. 

Key Responsibilities 

- Own and optimize vapor etch process modules 
- Develop and maintain processes on single wafer vapor etch platforms 
- Drive defectivity reduction 
- Optimize process parameters including pressure, temperature, and gas flow 
- Perform root cause analysis using FMEA, 8D, SPC, and FDC 
- Lead process qualification and technology transfer 
- Collaborate with equipment engineering on hardware and stability improvements 
- Drive yield, cost, and productivity improvements 
- Complete data analysis using AI and other tools to drive decisions 

Minimum Required Qualifications 

- 2+ years of direct vapor etch process experience in semiconductor manufacturing 
- Experience as a process owner in high-volume manufacturing 
- Hands-on experience with vapor etch tools 
- BS or MS in engineering field or equivalent experience 

Preferred Qualifications 

- Deep understanding of vapor phase reaction mechanisms (HF chemistry) 
- Experience with TEL, AMAT, or Lam vapor etch platforms 
- Proven ability to solve defectivity and chamber matching issues 
- Familiarity with DRAM integration 

- SPC/FDC systems and advanced data analytics 
- Strong programming or data analysis skills