Process engineering technician | Thin Film PVD

Role : process engineering technician / Thin Film PVD

Location: Ottawa, Ontario

Manufacturing / Engineering Lab / Cleanroom

Position Summary

The Process Engineering Technician supports the Process Engineering team in developing, qualifying, and improving roll-to-roll physical vapor deposition (PVD) coatings of polymeric film.

This role is responsible for executing process experiments, operating equipment, collecting process data, preparing substrates, and supporting tool qualification and reliability testing. The technician works closely with process engineers, equipment engineers, and manufacturing teams to ensure processes meet performance, yield, and reliability requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Process Development Support

• Assist process engineers in running process experiments and development tests.
• Prepare polymeric films and rolls for process development runs.
• Execute process recipes and experimental test plans.
• Collect and record process data for engineering analysis.

Tool Operation & Monitoring

• Operate magnetron sputtering and electron beam evaporation sources and related semiconductor processing equipment.
• Monitor process parameters such as:
• Temperature
• Pressure
• Gas flow
• Vacuum levels
• Coating deposition rate
• Ensure stable tool operation during development and qualification runs.

Process Qualification & Validation

• Support process qualification for new tools and new processes.
• Assist with customer process validation and acceptance testing.
• Execute process repeatability and reliability tests.

Data Collection & Documentation

• Record process results, run conditions, and observations.
• Maintain process logs and test reports.
• Assist engineers in organizing process data and experiment results.

Troubleshooting Support

• Assist process engineers in identifying process deviations or abnormalities.
• Help troubleshooting issues related to:
• Film uniformity
• Deposition thickness
• Process stability
• Tool performance

Polymeric Film Rolls Handling & Metrology Support

• Handle polymeric film rolls and substrates using cleanroom protocols.
• Assist with basic metrology measurements such as:
• Film thickness
• Uniformity
• Process repeatability
• Prepare samples for external or internal analysis.

Continuous Improvement

• Support process improvement initiatives to enhance:
• Process stability
• Tool throughput
• Film quality
• Yield

Safety & Cleanroom Compliance

• Follow cleanroom procedures and safety protocols.
• Handle chemicals and gases according to safety regulations.
• Maintain proper ESD and contamination control practices.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Associate degree or Technical Diploma in:
• Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology
• Chemical Engineering Technology
• Materials Science
• Mechanical or Electrical Engineering Technology
• Related technical field

(Equivalent hands-on experience may substitute.)

Experience

• 1–5 years' experience in:
• Semiconductor process lab or optical coating lab
• Semiconductor equipment environment
• Thin film deposition or materials processing

Preferred experience:

• PVD processes, specifically magnetron sputtering, e-beam evaporation, thermal evaporation coating deposition processes
• Cleanroom manufacturing
• Semiconductor vacuumr processing

Technical Skills

• Semiconductor materials handling
• Basic thin film process understanding
• Operation of deposition equipment
• Process data collection and documentation
• Basic metrology tools
• Understanding of vacuum and gas systems

Preferred skills:

• SEMI cleanroom protocols
• SPC data collection
• DOE experiment support

Key Competencies

• Attention to detail
• Strong documentation practices
• Ability to follow experimental procedures
• Team collaboration with engineers
• Problem-solving and troubleshooting mindset
• Ability to work in cleanroom environments

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee occasionally will work near moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is moderate. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.

• Ability to work in a cleanroom environment
• Ability to stand for extended periods
• Ability to handle wafers and lab materials
• Ability to lift up to 30–40 lbs. when required