Principal Engineer, Module Development – CMP

Job Details:

Job Description:

Manufacturing Development and Customer Engineering (MDCE) is a strategic organization within Intel Foundry Technology Manufacturing focused on improving process capability across Intel's technology portfolio-from initial product qualification through high-volume manufacturing. MDCE's mission is to make technology ramp a competitive advantage for Intel Foundry by enabling robust process development, manufacturing readiness, and continuous improvement across advanced logic technologies.
The MDCE organization is responsible for transferring new technologies into high-volume manufacturing, driving process optimization and continuous improvement, resolving complex yield and manufacturing issues, and partnering closely with technology development, factory, and customer teams to ensure predictable, high-quality silicon delivery. MDCE plays a critical role in enabling Intel's foundry customers and internal product teams by delivering scalable, manufacturable solutions across multiple technology nodes.
Intel is seeking an experienced and highly influential Principal Engineer, Module Development with deep expertise in Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) to provide module ownership, technical leadership, and development direction across Intel's advanced logic technologies. This role is responsible for leading CMP process development, cross-node alignment, and high-volume manufacturing readiness for technologies such as 18A, Intel 3, and Intel 12nm. The successful candidate will drive robust CMP solutions that support product execution and IFS/foundry customer success through collaboration with integration, device, yield, defect metrology, quality, reliability, factory, and supplier teams.
This position requires a strong combination of technical depth, strategic thinking, cross-functional leadership, and execution excellence. The Principal Engineer will serve as a key technical focal point for CMP, helping shape module strategy, resolve complex technical issues, and enable sustainable process performance across development and manufacturing environments.
Responsibilities

• Lead CMP module development strategy and execution across multiple technology nodes.
• Own technical direction for CMP process optimization, qualification, and high-volume manufacturing readiness.
• Drive defect reduction, yield improvement, and process stabilization initiatives.
• Partner with integration, device, yield, factory, and customer engineering teams to resolve complex technical and manufacturing issues.
• Develop and implement solutions that align module performance across technology development and manufacturing environments.
• Lead cross-functional problem-solving efforts related to excursions, variability reduction, and process integration.
• Evaluate, synthesize, and act on diverse technical inputs to define strategic responses and execution plans.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders, including suppliers, to co-develop and optimize CMP processes and consumables.
• Provide technical leadership in process control, metrology, and module interaction impacts on device performance and yield.
• Mentor junior engineers and act as a technical focal point for CMP within the module and program.
• Communicate technical findings, status, and recommendations clearly to leadership and stakeholders.
• Drive rapid execution while maintaining focus on safety, quality, compliance, and customer objectives.

Required Skills and Experience

• Experience in Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) process development and optimization
• Proven experience with CMP equipment and consumables, including at least one major CMP tool platform and associated materials/components.
• Demonstrated ability to perform structured, data-driven root-cause analysis.
• Working knowledge of process integration and module interactions, including CMP impacts on device performance and yield.
• Familiarity with CMP-related process control and metrology.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with advanced technology nodes, including sub-10nm logic and Gate All Around (GAA).
• Demonstrated success delivering customized solutions in technology development and high-volume manufacturing environments.
• Experience collaborating with equipment and material suppliers to co-develop or tune CMP processes.
• Cross-functional leadership experience across site teams, yield excursions, defect reduction, and technology ramp efforts.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor junior engineers or serve as a technical focal point.
• Strong ownership mindset with ability to drive topics from problem definition through deployment and documentation.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment with competing priorities.
• Previous experience in a semiconductor foundry environment.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related engineering/science field. PhD preferred
• 15+ years of relevant experience in semiconductor manufacturing, process development, or technology development.
• 10+ years of direct experience in Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) process development and optimization, including hands-on process tuning and characterization.

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Posting Statement:

Position of Trust

Benefits

We offer a total compensation package that ranks among the best in the industry. It consists of competitive pay, stock bonuses, and benefit programs which include health, retirement, and vacation. Find out more about the benefits of working at Intel.

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