CMP Process Development Engineer

ChEmpower Corporation is a Venture backed Semiconductor Materials startup based in Portland, Oregon, focused on developing abrasive-free technology for chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) of advanced semiconductor devices. The CMP Process Development Engineer will be responsible for developing innovative planarization processes, characterizing consumables, and integrating customer requirements into product development initiatives.

Responsibilities:

• Develop an abrasive free planarization process for copper films-based applications
• Characterize the consumables such as polish pads and solutions
• Conduct controlled DOE experiments (design of experiments) and optimize the design variables to develop a process for commercial polish tools such as the Applied and Ebara
• Integrate customer requirements into the ChEmpower development initiative
• Formulate a best-known solution for copper CMP in collaboration with OEM partners
• Develop novel and exciting ideas for filing patents and developing trade secrets
• Strengthen the IP position of ChEmpower
• Gather new market intelligence with the changing trends and challenges in the marketplace
• Build strong relationships with sales partners and customers
• Serve the marketing function at the early stages of product development and the sales function upon product launch

Requirements:

• PhD degree with 3+ years research experience (or Master's degree with 5-8 years' experience) in chemical engineering, chemistry or material science and engineering
• Deep knowledge of metal CMP process especially copper, understanding of the different slurry chemistries and pads used and the metrology required for measurements on patterned (device) wafers
• Hands on experience working with commercial 300mm polishers, either Applied or Ebara, and associated metrology is a must
• Interest and passion to work in a start-up environment
• Strong analytical skills
• Team player who enjoys working in a cross functional team
• Collaborative work style is a must
• Willing to wear multiple hats in a start-up environment
• High integrity and ethical standards
• Must maintain trust, mutual respect and ability to work in a diverse workplace
• Demonstrate leadership with ownership of tasks
• Results oriented
• Innovative thinking with a creative mindset
• Sense of urgency and commitment to delivering on time
• Quickly transition to changing priorities
• Maintain transparency and open communications all the time
• Excellent verbal and written communications
• Strong presentation skills
• Willing to travel (30-40% time, as needed) for work
• Be flexible and be able to respond to urgent matters from time to time