Senior Lithography Engineer

Tenure:

Term

Duration: 2 years

Language Requirements: English

Work arrangements:Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position will require full-time physical presence at the NRC work location identified.

The role

We are looking for a Senior Lithography Engineer to support our Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre (CPFC) Research Centre. The incumbent would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.

Working with clients and partners, the National Research Council Canada provides strategic research, innovation support, scientific, and technical services to develop and deploy solutions to meet Canada's current and future industrial and societal needs. The CPFC offers our clients and partners access to cutting-edge photonics fabrication services providing simulation, design, fabrication, testing, characterization, and prototyping to help move innovative photonic and electronic devices to market. It plays a key role in NRC’s Advanced Photonic Components program.

This position will focus on activities related to process systems located in the Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre (CPFC) and will lead process development and sustaining activities for ASML steppers and mask aligner lithography systems during the evening shift.

The key activities of the Senior Lithography Engineer are:

• Develop and optimize photolithography processes.
• Lead projects with product engineers to develop and optimize new processes and resolve process marginalities.
• Establish validation and verification criteria for new processes and products to address new client/project needs and identify opportunities for process improvements.
• Work with clients, partners and CAD engineers to define design rules, fab metrology structures, parametric test structures and product mask sets.
• Create and revise technical documentation, provide reports to clients, and support maintenance activities related to patterning equipment and manufacturing processes.

Screening criteria

Applicants must demonstrate within the content of their application that they meet the following screening criteria in order to be given further consideration as candidates:

Education

Bachelor’s degree in the Physical, Chemical or Materials Sciences or other engineering disciplines.

A PhD in one of these disciplines will be considered an asset.

For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see Degree equivalency

Experience

• Extensive** and recent hands-on experience in semiconductor manufacturing/production environments, including lithography process development/improvement, troubleshooting, and leading/managing client technical and/or research projects.
  
  
• Extensive** and recent hands-on experience with semiconductor lithography tools, including ASML steppers, mask aligners, and track systems, with demonstrated ownership of process development, optimization, and tool sustainment.
  
  
• Significant* experience with III-V semiconductor platforms (, InP), including cleanroom processing and device fabrication flows, and process integration, for opto-electronic devices.
  
  
• Significant* experience in SPC, DoE, and MES, applied to process control, monitoring, and yield improvement.
  
  
• Significant* experience managing technical partnerships, client relationships, contracts, or project deliverables.
  
  
• Significant* experience leading the transfer, qualification, and release of lithography processes to production, including documentation, process control definition, and ensuring readiness for stable manufacturing.

*Significant experience is defined as experience of three (3) to five (5) years.

**Extensive experience is defined as experience of eight (8) years or more.

Condition of employment

Reliability Status

For a Reliability Status, verification of background information over a period of 5 years is required.

Must qualify to work in a controlled Goods Zone, Training will be provided.

Language requirements

English

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Assessment criteria

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

Technical competencies

• Advanced knowledge in photolithography processes (coating, exposure, development), and process troubleshooting in a production environment.
  
  
• Advanced knowledge in qualification, operation, and sustainment of lithography equipment, including ASML steppers, coat/develop tracks, and mask aligners.
  
  
• Demonstrated ability to integrate lithography within semiconductor fabrication flows, including interaction with etch, deposition, and metrology processes.
  
  
• Advanced knowledge of SPC and DoE, and ability to apply them to process optimization, variability reduction, and yield improvement.
  
  
• Solid knowledge of process improvement, sustaining engineering, and management of technical or research projects to support stable manufacturing performance and client/project objectives.
  
  
• Solid knowledge and application of cleanroom safety practices and safe handling of chemicals, gases, and fabrication equipment.

Behavioural competencies

• Research - Communication (Level 3)
• Research - Creative thinking (Level 3)
• Research - Partnering (Level 2)
• Research - Results orientation (Level 2)
• Research - Teamwork (Level 2)

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile(s): Research

View all competency profiles

Compensation

The intent of this hiring action is to staff this position at the RCO-4 level with a salary range of $143,127 to $168,192.

NOTE: Please note that the full RO/RCO salary scale has five levels. Salary determination will be based on a review of the candidate’s expertise, outcomes and impacts of their previous work experience relative to the requirements of the level. As such, the initial salary could be within another level of the RO/RCO salary scale (or below the intended level for this position).

NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including a robust pension plan, comprehensive health and dental coverage, disability and life insurance, office closure at the end of December, and additional supports to enhance your well-being throughout your career and beyond.

Discover the possible

Anything is possible at the NRC, named in 2025 one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, Top Employer in the National Capital Region and Forbes Canada’s Best Employers!

As Canada’s largest research and innovation organization, our world-renowned research pushes the boundaries of science and engineering to make the impossible, possible. Every day we explore new ideas through innovative research and help companies discover possibilities that impact Canada’s future and the world.

At the NRC, you’ll also discover new possibilities. Our supportive workplace fosters a culture of creativity, welcoming fresh perspectives and innovation at all levels. We value teamwork. You’ll collaborate across multiple fields and with the brightest minds to find creative solutions. Most importantly, you’ll discover what’s possible within you as you grow, make valuable contributions and progress in your professional journey. From ground-breaking discoveries to a life-changing career, discover your possible at the NRC.