Sr. Director, Etch

Job Summary

The Senior Director, Etch Process Engineering is a senior leadership role responsible for defining and executing the etch technology strategy, process development roadmap, and manufacturing excellence initiatives for semiconductor fabrication operations. This position leads a global team of process engineers, technical managers, and subject matter experts focused on developing, optimizing, qualifying, and sustaining advanced plasma and dry etch processes. The Senior Director partners closely with R&D, Manufacturing, Equipment Engineering, Yield Enhancement, Product Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain organizations to drive technology innovation, operational performance, and successful product commercialization.

The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in semiconductor etch processes with strong business acumen, organizational leadership, and a track record of delivering high-volume manufacturing results in advanced technology environments.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the long-term etch process technology roadmap aligned with company business objectives and product requirements.
• Provide technical and organizational leadership for advanced etch process development, technology transfer, and manufacturing support.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives focused on technology innovation, cost reduction, productivity improvement, and manufacturing scalability.
• Evaluate emerging semiconductor technologies and recommend investments to maintain competitive advantage.
• Establish departmental goals, performance metrics, and strategic priorities.

Process Development & Technology

• Direct development of advanced plasma, dry etch, dielectric, conductor, and specialty etch processes for next-generation semiconductor devices.
• Oversee process characterization, optimization, qualification, and integration activities.
• Drive continuous improvement of critical process parameters, defect reduction, CD control, profile optimization, and process capability.
• Ensure successful transfer of new process technologies from R&D into high-volume manufacturing.
• Lead root cause investigations and corrective actions for complex technical and yield-related challenges.

Manufacturing Support & Yield Improvement

• Drive improvements in yield, throughput, cycle time, equipment utilization, and overall manufacturing effectiveness.
• Partner with production and operations teams to ensure stable and repeatable manufacturing performance.
• Monitor key process indicators and implement corrective actions to meet quality and productivity targets.
• Lead yield enhancement programs utilizing statistical process control (SPC), DOE methodologies, and advanced analytics.
• Ensure robust management of process excursions and customer-facing quality issues.

Equipment & Supplier Management

• Collaborate with Equipment Engineering to define requirements for next-generation etch platforms.
• Establish strategic relationships with equipment manufacturers and material suppliers.
• Evaluate new equipment technologies and oversee tool qualification activities.
• Support capital planning and investment decisions related to etch process capabilities.
• Drive supplier performance and continuous improvement initiatives.

Organizational Leadership

• Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain high-performing engineering leaders and technical professionals.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, operational excellence, and continuous learning.
• Build organizational capability through talent development and succession planning.
• Lead geographically distributed engineering teams across multiple sites, when applicable.
• Promote collaboration across engineering, operations, and business functions.

Compliance & Quality

• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Champion engineering best practices, documentation standards, and knowledge management.
• Support internal audits, customer audits, and industry certifications as required.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives aligned with lean manufacturing and operational excellence principles.

Qualifications Education

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or related technical discipline required.
• Advanced technical training in semiconductor process technology preferred.

Experience

• 15+ years of progressive semiconductor process engineering experience.
• 8+ years of leadership experience managing managers, senior engineers, and technical organizations.
• Extensive experience in plasma etch, reactive ion etch (RIE), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), atomic layer etch (ALE), or related advanced semiconductor process technologies.
• Proven success supporting advanced-node semiconductor manufacturing and technology development.
• Experience leading technology transfer from development to high-volume manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated track record of driving yield improvement, process capability enhancement, and operational excellence.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Deep understanding of semiconductor device fabrication and process integration.
• Expertise in etch process physics, plasma chemistry, process control, and defect reduction methodologies.
• Strong knowledge of SPC, DOE, FMEA, process characterization, and yield analysis techniques.
• Experience with advanced semiconductor equipment platforms and process control systems.
• Strong financial, strategic planning, and capital management capabilities.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and executive presentation skills.
• Ability to influence senior executives, customers, suppliers, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong project management and change management capabilities.
• Ability to lead in a fast-paced, technology-driven environment.