Sr. Principal Lithography Engineer - Livermore, CA, United States
$136,200 - $178,815 USD yearly
Originally posted 21 July 2026 by the employer.
About the role
The Sr. Principal Lithography Engineer (MEMS R&D) is a technical authority responsible for the strategy, development, and execution of photolithography technologies across MEMS product development and manufacturing. This role focuses on lithographic processes, photoresist materials, optics, and microfabrication techniques for advanced probe card applications.
What you'll do
- Develop and execute technology roadmaps for advanced MEMS photolithography processes and capabilities. - Lead the research, development, characterization, and implementation of lithographic technologies, including evaluating techniques such as Two-Photon Polymerization (2PP), Direct Laser Writing (DLW), Nanoimprint Lithography (NIL), and maskless lithography. - Lead complex Design of Experiments (DOE) initiatives to develop scalable processes for high-resolution MEMS features, critical dimension control, and overlay optimization across multiple substrate platforms. - Establish process windows, process control methodologies, metrology requirements, and manufacturing-ready solutions for vertical probe technologies. - Lead root cause investigations for complex lithography, patterning, and integration challenges using optical microscopy, SEM, and FIB cross-sections. - Partner cross-functionally with R&D, product design, process integration, manufacturing, equipment engineering, and quality teams to ensure lithography requirements are incorporated into product development.
What you'll need
- Deep technical expertise in semiconductor lithography processes, photoresist materials, optics, and microfabrication techniques. - Experience leading Design of Experiments (DOE), process characterization, statistical analysis, and establishing process capability and control methodologies. - Hands-on experience with advanced characterization and failure analysis techniques including optical microscopy, SEM, and FIB cross-sections. - Technical background in photolithography equipment, laser lithography, and semiconductor fabrication. - Minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 6 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 3 years experience; or equivalent experience.
Skills: photolithography technologies, MEMS product development, microfabrication techniques, process development, critical dimension control
This role has been open 90 days — well above the 65-day median for Process Engineering roles.
Process Engineering · Lithography Systems
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Open roles in category
46
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Median days open
65 d
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Median salary
—
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See the full market breakdown ▾Category comparison, skills in demand, and who else is hiring
| Metric | FormFactor | All employers we track in this specialty (46 roles · 12 employers) |
|---|---|---|
| Open roles in this specialty | 1 | 46 |
| Open roles in the wider Process, Fab & Equipment family | 116 | 9979 · 109 employers |
| Median days open | 90 d | 65 d (+25 d vs this employer) |
| Median salary (USD postings) | — | — |
Skills observed across this category: photolithography technologies, MEMS product development, microfabrication techniques, process development, critical dimension control
Who's hiring in this category
- Micron Technology · 26 open roles · median 76 d
- GlobalFoundries · 5 open roles · median 41 d
- Coherent Corp · 2 open roles · median 69 d
- SkyWater Technology · 2 open roles · median 56 d
- Skyworks · 2 open roles · median 165 d
- STMicroelectronics · 2 open roles · median 40 d
How we counted: 46 open Process Engineering (Lithography Systems) roles from 12 employers tracked in the SemiconductorJobs index, counted 19 Oct 2026. Specialty figures count only roles carrying this exact specialty label, so an employer's related work in neighbouring specialties is not included there — it is counted in the wider Process, Fab & Equipment family row. Figures refresh nightly.