Principal Equipment Engineer, Etch & CVD

Looking for a career path in the high-tech industry? Become part of a team focused on delivering the most exciting semiconductor technology in the world! If you enjoy working with others in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and are looking for an opportunity to grow your career in this exciting industry, then Tower Semiconductor is the place to be!

Tower Semiconductor, the leading foundry of high-value analog semiconductor solutions, provides technology, development, and process platforms for analog integrated circuits to more than 300 customers worldwide across growing markets such as communications, mobile, infrastructure, consumer, industrial, automotive, medical, and aerospace and defense, among others.

Join Tower and become part of a dynamic organization with exceptionally talented and dedicated team members who work collaboratively to provide best-in-class technological solutions to our clients.

We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Equipment Engineer to join Tower Semiconductor. In this senior role, you will be the primary technical authority for our RF-cluster toolsets, providing advanced engineering support for both Etch and CVD platforms. You will lead complex troubleshooting efforts, drive long-term equipment reliability projects, and mentor junior engineering staff. This position is ideal for a seasoned equipment expert who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about optimizing tool performance in a semiconductor manufacturing setting.

Key Responsibilities:

• Technical Leadership: Serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for high-frequency RF-cluster tools, specifically within our Etch and CVD areas.
• Performance Optimization: Lead diagnostic efforts for systemic tool failures. Utilize data-driven methodologies (SPC, FMEA, DOE) to improve Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) and reduce Mean Time To Repair (MTTR).
• RF/Cluster Expertise: Oversee the maintenance and calibration of RF generators, matching networks, mass flow controllers (MFCs), and vacuum systems. Ensure cluster tool throughput meets aggressive fab capacity requirements.
• Project Management: Drive equipment upgrades, hardware modifications, and major overhauls. Lead cross-functional teams to implement process improvements that enhance wafer yield and tool uptime.
• Mentorship: Provide technical training and guidance to Equipment Engineers and Technicians. Develop and document best-known methods (BKMs) and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Collaboration: Partner closely with Process Engineering and Operations to align equipment performance with process requirements for 200mm production nodes.

• You are "hands on" and electronically and/or mechanically inclined
• You always strive for the root cause of technical problems
• You are passionate about fixing and improving electrical/electronic or mechanical systems
• If you are creative and you think outside of the box
• If you are self-motivated and a self-starter

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field; Advanced degree preferred.
• Experience: 10+ years of direct experience in semiconductor equipment engineering, with a strong focus on Etch and/or CVD platforms. Experience on AMAT Centura, Novellus, TEL is preferred. Experience on LAM 9600, 9400, 4500, 2300 toolsets. Experience in Wet Etch areas of the fab including subassemblies on Akrion Gamma, FSI Mercury, SEZ 203 and Bulk chemical Delivery Systems.
• Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of RF power delivery, vacuum technology, and plasma physics. Proficiency in troubleshooting complex cluster tool architectures.
• Industry Knowledge: Proven ability to manage and maintain tools from major OEMs (e.g., Applied Materials, Lam Research, Tokyo Electron).
• Analytical Skills: Expert-level capability in statistical analysis (JMP, SAS, or similar) to solve complex equipment/process issues.
• Leadership: Experience leading high-impact engineering projects and mentoring engineering teams

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