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Etch Process Engineer E3S

Applied Materials


Job Location:

Santa Clara County, CA - USA

Monthly Salary: $ 124000 - 171000
Posted: 26 August 2026 (12 hours ago)
Application Deadline: 23 November 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Who We Are


Applied Materials is the global leader in materials science and engineering solutions that are at the foundation of virtually every new semiconductor chip and advanced display in the world. The equipment that we create and service is essential to advancing AI and accelerating the commercialization of next-generation semiconductor chips. Join us and push the boundaries of materials science and engineering in a company at the foundation of the electronics industry. The work we do together advances the worlds technology.


What We Offer


Salary:

$124000.00 - $171000.00

Location:

Santa ClaraCA

Youll benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages you to learn develop and grow your career as you take on challenges and drive innovative solutions for our customers. We empower our team to push the boundaries of what is possiblewhile learning every day in a supportive leading global company. Visit our Careers website to learn more.

At Applied Materials we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. Were committed to providing programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth and care for you at work at home or wherever you may go. Learn more about our benefits.

Key Responsibilities

  • Design execute collect analyze and document routine to moderately complex plasma etch process experiments in compliance with safety guidelines.
  • Support investigation of etch process challenges and contribute to developing experimental plans for process improvement activities (e.g. profile control selectivity CD defectivity uniformity).
  • Perform etch chamber hardware and process characterization under the guidance of senior engineers including evaluation of hardware components such as ESCs rings liners gas delivery systems and RF subsystems.
  • Troubleshoot routine process issues perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions with guidance from experienced engineers.
  • Measure and analyze thin-film and post-etch material properties using standard metrology techniques and established methodologies.
  • Translate engineering requirements into process experiments and support development of practical process solutions.
  • Collaborate with hardware mechanical manufacturing COE and customer-facing teams to understand interactions between process conditions chamber hardware and device performance.
  • Prepare technical reports experiment summaries presentations and engineering documentation to communicate findings and recommendations.
  • Support qualification and introduction of new etch processes chamber hardware materials and recipes into development and production environments.

Required Technical Skills & Knowledge

  • Fundamental understanding of plasma etch processes including plasma chemistry surface interactions and process parameter relationships.
  • Working knowledge of etch chamber subsystems and key process controls including RF power gas delivery pressure temperature and hardware configuration.
  • Familiarity with thin-film materials and characterization techniques such as SEM XRD XPS and post-etch analysis.
  • Basic proficiency in Design of Experiments (DOE) statistical analysis and process data interpretation.
  • Ability to evaluate process data and identify relationships between hardware configuration process performance and wafer results.
  • Strong problem-solving analytical and communication skills.

Scope & Autonomy (E3s Level)

  • Works under general supervision while performing routine to moderately complex engineering assignments.
  • Executes established engineering procedures and contributes to process development activities.
  • Escalates complex technical issues appropriately and seeks guidance when required.
  • Supports project objectives and process development efforts within an assigned area of responsibility.
  • Collaborates effectively with cross-functional teams to achieve engineering and business goals.

Education & Experience

  • Masters degree (or foreign equivalent) in Materials Science Chemistry Physics Chemical Engineering Electrical Engineering or a related field plus relevant semiconductor process engineering experience.
  • Typically 2-5 years of semiconductor process engineering experience preferably in plasma etch.
  • Experience with semiconductor process development characterization or manufacturing environments is preferred.
  • Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered consistent with the AMAT Global Career Framework.

Additional Information

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Type:

Assignee / Regular

Travel:

Yes 10% of the Time

Relocation Eligible:

No

The salary offered to a selected candidate will be based on multiple factors including location hire grade job-related knowledge skills experience and with consideration of internal equity of our current team addition to a comprehensive benefits package candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program as applicable.

For all sales roles the posted salary range is the Target Total Cash (TTC) range for the role which is the sum of base salary and target bonus amount at 100% goal achievement.

Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color national origin citizenship ancestry religion creed sex sexual orientation gender identity age disability veteran or military status or any other basis prohibited by law.

In addition Applied endeavors to make our careers site accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process please contact us via e-mail at or by calling our HR Direct Help Line at option 1 and following the prompts to speak to an HR Advisor. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.


Required Experience:

IC


About Company

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Applied Materials, Inc. is the global leader in materials engineering solutions for the semiconductor, flat panel display and solar photovoltaic (PV) industries.

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