Job Details
Posted 29 October, 2026
Job Id: 632108
Process Technician
Job Description
Process Technician
Location: Menlo Park, CA (100% onsite)
Duration: 6-month contract with extension/possible conversion
Schedule: Swing shift with weekend flexibility
Position Overview
Seeking a hands-on Process Technician to support thin-film deposition, sample preparation, metrology, and equipment maintenance within an advanced materials R&D environment. This individual will be responsible for operating deposition equipment, performing wafer and coupon preparation, supporting characterization activities, maintaining tool qualification, and ensuring accurate documentation of all laboratory activities.
Key Responsibilities
Thin-Film Deposition Operations
- Execute deposition processes according to established SOPs.
- Operate vacuum-based thin-film deposition equipment.
- Load and unload substrates and wafers.
- Verify process conditions, chamber state, and recipe parameters.
- Review run performance and document results accurately.
Sample Preparation
- Dice and cleave coupons from wafers.
- Prepare samples for cross-sectioning and imaging.
- Perform substrate cleaning and preparation activities.
- Execute wet cleaning, oxide strip, dehydration bake, and conditioning procedures.
- Handle delicate materials without introducing contamination or artifacts.
Characterization & Metrology
- Operate material characterization and metrology equipment.
- Collect structural, optical, electrical, and film property data.
- Review test results for anomalies and identify potential equipment issues.
- Escalate tool-related concerns appropriately.
- Maintain accurate records of measurements and observations.
Equipment Maintenance & Qualification
- Perform preventative maintenance activities on deposition and characterization equipment.
- Complete chamber cleans, consumable changes, leak checks, calibration verification, and routine service activities.
- Maintain equipment qualification and monitor process performance.
- Track deposition rate, film thickness, and process uniformity.
- Support vendor service visits and maintain maintenance documentation.
Experimental Support
- Assist process engineers with experimental and non-standard process development activities.
- Support parameter sweeps, new material evaluations, and custom substrate configurations.
- Document process changes and experimental outcomes.
Documentation & Data Integrity
- Maintain detailed electronic and written records.
- Document actual process conditions, deviations, corrective actions, and results.
- Ensure compliance with lab data collection and traceability requirements.
- Support integration of data into laboratory tracking systems.
Safety & Laboratory Operations
- Follow cleanroom, chemical handling, contamination control, and safety protocols.
- Support hazardous waste management and chemical inventory activities.
- Perform lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures when required.
- Maintain laboratory organization, cleanliness, and inventory levels.
Required Qualifications
- 3+ years of hands-on experience operating:
- Thin-film deposition equipment
- Semiconductor process tools
- Metrology or characterization systems
- Strong understanding of vacuum-based deposition processes.
- Experience with wafer and coupon preparation, including:
- Dicing
- Cleaving
- Mounting
- Cross-section preparation
- Cleaning procedures
- Ability to interpret metrology data and identify process or equipment issues.
- Mechanical aptitude with experience performing equipment maintenance and troubleshooting.
- Experience working in cleanroom environments.
- Strong documentation and record-keeping skills.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
Preferred Qualifications
- Associate Degree, Technical Certificate, military technical training, or equivalent industry experience.
- Experience in semiconductor R&D or high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environments.
- Experience with:
- Vacuum system troubleshooting
- RF matching
- Plasma tuning
- Mass flow controller calibration
- Pressure control systems
- Familiarity with:
- LIMS
- MES
- Sample tracking systems
- Wafer-level metrology experience including:
- Thickness mapping
- Resistivity measurements
- Film stress analysis
- Wafer warpage characterization
- Experience with in-situ process monitoring systems.
- Prior work in university nanofabrication facilities or shared cleanroom environments.
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, sex, gender identity or expression, disability, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations. It is our policy not to discriminate against any applicant or employee, and we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful work environment across all locations in which we operate. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to our mission and enhance our ability to serve clients globally. If you have a disability or require any reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process, please inform your recruiter or contact us directly so that we can explore the appropriate arrangements.
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