The Requirements

To meet the basic qualifications for the Senior Epi Process Engineer opportunity, you must have:

• Authorization to work permanently in the United States for any employer without requiring a visa transfer or visa sponsorship (due to ITAR restrictions you must be a US Citizen or Green Card holder for this role)
• Directly relevant experience working in a manufacturing environment

To be a strong fit for the role of Senior Epi Process Engineer, you will also have:

• A master's degree in Engineering, Physics or similar field of study; a doctorate degree is preferred  Quick question for you - click here
• At least five years epi growth experience
• Strong understanding of semiconductor growth; the ideal candidate with have significant experience working in a manufacturing environment with III/V growth and characterization of compound semiconductor epitaxial layers  Quick question for you - click here
• Familiarity with vacuum science, high vacuum equipment, and electronics, including a working knowledge of temperature controllers, ion gauge controllers, ion pump power supplies, etc.
• Must have working knowledge of semiconductor characterization equipment, including the ability to interpret the data from standard equipment (e.g. PL, Hall, E-CV, Surfscan, Lehighton Rsh, X-Ray, and Hg-probe)  Quick question for you - click here
• Basic understanding of the theory of semiconductor device operation (e.g., FET, diodes, HBTs, lasers)
• Excellent data analysis skill with an emphasis on statistics
• Basic understanding of the processing of the above-mentioned devices
• Basic understanding of quantum mechanics and electromagnetic fields
• Knowledge of computers and software necessary to generate reports and run the assigned reactors (e.g. MS Office applications including Excel & Word; statistical software, etc.)
• Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt is an advantage
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to effectively interact with various levels and titles
• Diligence with strict attention to detail; accuracy

While you'll typically work Monday through Friday, we are open 24/7 and you will be expected to work the hours needed to meet demands, as well as be responsive after hours as needed.  

 

The Role

Opportunity Snapshot
Reporting to the Senior Director of Engineering, as Senior Epi Process Engineer, you will be responsible for efficient and cost-effective process implementation and day-to-day engineering supervision of all assigned MBE reactors. Your responsibilities will include process development, production, and material quality to ensure our customers receive materials that meet/exceed their requirements and expectations.

Performing Your Role
You'll join a team of including a mix of senior, mid-level and associate Process Engineers working on a range of different projects. Most engineers have specific responsibilities and you will be assigned reactors based both on demand and your individual strengths. As part of your daily responsibilities you will:

• Ensure that all assigned reactors are run in a safe/responsible manner consistent with established procedures and in a cost efficient manner that is consistent with the overall business plan.
• Establish daily growth sequence on all assigned reactors, communicating technical plans through Current Operating Procedures (COP) form, via e-mail, or verbally as appropriate.
• Ensure calibration and integrity of assigned reactors.
• Set growth parameters, write growth recipes, review and interpret growth and characterization data, and direct all process adjustments, verifying that they are appropriate and within process guidelines established by internal SOPs as well as internal and external specifications.
• Maintain relevant reactor documentation and SPC charts.
• Ensure the product grown on assigned reactors is high quality, meeting or exceeding customer specifications and expectations.
• Make judgments on issues outside of established SOPs and specifications, deciding when to escalate to Engineering / Operational Management.
• Ensure accurate disposition of all wafers grown on assigned reactors, including assignment of appropriate status codes.
• Troubleshoot material problems and assist maintenance personnel in diagnosing equipment issues so they can be repaired as efficiently as possible.
• Monitor standard operational metrics (yield, throughput, etc.) and take actions and make recommendations (within the scope of their responsibility) to continuously improve reactor performance in such areas.
• Maintain and analyze all reactor operating data and provide to management as required to ensure effective scheduling and expectations; maintain and analyze trends in data over time to improve reactor yield and efficiency.
• Maintain continuous self-improvement in epi growth, semiconductor materials science, SPC, and device physics.

Note: this description is intended to give you a general overview of the position and is not an exhaustive listing of duties and responsibilities.

Pictured: Without the compound semiconductor wafers that IQE produces, there would be no smartphones, high speed internet, satellite navigation or WiFi.

Why Join IQE

Best-of-Both-Worlds
You will enjoy the stability and resources of a global industry leader with manufacturing operations in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, alongside the tight-knit smaller company feeling of our site in Bethlehem, PA. The plant has approximately 100 employees, including a smaller Engineering Team where you will be able to stretch professionally, cross-train and enhance both your resume and level of experience.  

Growth Environment
We are a respected industry leader undergoing strong growth, both organically and through strategic acquisitions. We are the largest independent Epi Foundry in our industry and work with virtually every large semiconductor company in the world. With a strong reputation for quality and a commitment to remain on the cutting-edge, resulting in new products that are in high demand, we continue to grow and evolve. In fact, our stock reflects our advancement and has been steadily climbing.

Collaborative Team
You'll work on a collaborative team with junior to senior level members with an array of skill and experience. We work well together, respect one another and continue to learn and grow, individually and as a team. 

Technical Culture
Because of the technical nature of our business, you’ll be exposed to highly intelligent people working on cutting-edge products. This is interesting science that team members are passionate about. We think you’ll find our environment both interesting and stimulating. It will keep you on your toes.

Excellent compensation
In addition to a competitive salary and bonus opportunity, we offer an outstanding benefits package including medical, dental, vision and other insurances, a 401(k) plan with company match, paid time off and more!

Pictured: IQE supply chain for our semiconductor wafers.

Keys to Success

Attitude, Ownership, Discipline

These are the three key elements that will determine your success at IQE.

Attitude: you will maintain an upbeat, team-oriented attitude as you interact directly with other Process Engineers and team members across the site. You will also take a "can do" approach to your role, stepping up as needed to achieve optimal outcomes.

Ownership: from taking the initiative to being accountable for your efforts, ownership is an essential success factor at IQE. You will own your responsibilities, consistently providing top notch work, collaborating with teammates as appropriate, and communicating with the team and leadership. You will provide project leadership and mentorship as appropriate to drive your projects forward.

Discipline: we're not looking for someone whose goal is to replace processes and reinvent the wheel. We're looking for a skilled and disciplined engineer -- someone who will learn what's in place, understand why we do things the way we do, and then, where appropriate, enhance what we have. We have strict standards requiring strict controls.