Process Engineer, Dry Etch, Terafab

About the role

• Process Engineer, Dry Etch, Terafab | Tesla (Terafab)
• Location: AUSTIN, Texas | Req ID: 267829 | Job Type: Full-time
• What to Expect

We are building Terafab, a vertically integrated semiconductor factory at an unprecedented scale. The facility houses logic, memory, packaging, test, and lithography mask production under one roof, optimized for rapid iteration and maximum compute density per square foot.

Process engineering is where Terafab technology gets built, atom by atom, and dry etch is where plasma meets precision. You will develop and own etch processes across three distinct chip families: edge-inference processors, space-hardened chips for orbital satellites, and high-bandwidth memory. You'll optimize selectivity, profile control, and critical dimension uniformity across complex material stacks; from high-k dielectrics to metal gates to through-silicon vias.

You should have deep expertise in plasma etch, but be ready to work across core process domains such as lithography, metrology, and film deposition as integration evolves. This is a highly hands-on role at one of the most ambitious fab programs in the world. We are hiring for all levels.

What You'll Do

• Develop and qualify plasma etch processes for critical layers: gate, spacer, contact, and metal interconnect
• Develop atomic layer etch processes for steps requiring angstrom-level profile and selectivity control
• Optimize etch profiles, CD control, uniformity, and selectivity using a first-principles, physics-based approach to plasma chemistry and etch mechanism understanding
• Qualify etch tools from installation through production readiness, including chamber seasoning, plasma characterization, and process window qualification
• Analyze processes from a first-principles, physics-based approach to understand and manipulate mechanisms, not just recipes
• Lead root cause analysis, establish inline metrology and SPC control strategies, and drive systematic yield improvement
• Support 24/7 manufacturing operations through rotations, on-call availability, and rapid response to critical production issues
• Drive next-generation plasma etch chemistry and process development

What You'll Bring

• Degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related technical field, or equivalent experience
• 2-10+ years of hands-on dry etch process engineering experience in a semiconductor fab, especially advanced logic, memory, or foundry environment
• Deep experience with etch tool qualification, plasma etch process development, and process of record (POR) establishment at advanced nodes
• Proficiency with etch metrology tools, defect inspection, and etch profile characterization
• Strong Design of Experiments skills and statistical analysis capability
• Ability to work closely and proactively across lithography, etch, thin films, integration, and equipment engineering teams

Benefits

Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:

• Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction
• Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
• Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both have options with a $0 paycheck contribution
• Company Paid (Health Savings Accounts) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High-Deductible medical plan with HSA
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
• Company paid Basic Life, AD&D
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions, Accrued hours for Hourly positions), and Paid Holidays
• Back-up childcare and parenting support resources
• Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
• Weight Loss and Tobacco Cessation Programs
• Tesla Babies program
• Commuter benefits
• Employee discounts and perks program
• Earned Wage Access: Real-time pay access paid daily, subject to eligibility and schedule (applicable for below Sr. Managers levels)