Staff Process Engineer, Plasma Etch

A new paradigm of computing

Magic Leap is a pioneer in Augmented Reality (AR) optics, display systems, platforms, devices services, prototyping and manufacturing capabilities. We are known for our unmatched optics stack and have developed ultra-lightweight waveguides and display systems that advance what is possible in AR. With more than a decade of experience in AR innovation, we have made groundbreaking advancements in text legibility, color fidelity and rich digital content visuals while continually expanding the field of view to create engaging, immersive AR experiences. 

Magic Leap could be your place if you want to be part of a united team where everyone is empowered and trusted to make an impact. At Magic Leap, you can explore innovative solutions and use your talents to solve real-world problems. Working alongside industry experts, you can grow your skills while helping make our technology available to millions of people as a partner in the AR ecosystem.  We know that successful change and progress accelerates diverse perspectives. As we shape our future, everyone's voice matters. Together, we can reimagine the world of work and, with our bold partners, make the impossible possible.

The opportunity 

As a Staff Process Engineer within our Optical Process Engineering team, you will directly contribute to our light-field technology by developing and deploying advanced dry etch processes into our eyepiece manufacturing flow. You will work cross-functionally with R&D, Equipment Engineering, Manufacturing, Metrology, and Quality teams to ensure process readiness for high-volume waveguide manufacturing. This is a highly visible, hands-on role focused on process development, yield improvement, process transfer, and manufacturing scale-up within a cleanroom semiconductor-style environment.

Location: This position requires being fully onsite at our Austin, TX facility to support hands-on collaboration and daily operations. Relocation assistance is available for non-local candidates.

What you’ll do

• Be part of a high-performing New Product Introduction team developing next-generation optical waveguide technologies
• Develop, optimize, and sustain dry etch and plasma processes for wafer-based manufacturing applications
• Design experiments, analyze process data, and generate reports to improve process capability and manufacturing performance
• Drive process control, yield improvement, and defect reduction using DOE, SPC, CPK analysis, and structured root cause methodologies
• Troubleshoot complex process and equipment issues in partnership with manufacturing and equipment engineering teams
• Support transfer of R&D processes into high-volume manufacturing, including process qualification and scale-up activities
• Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, manufacturing, metrology, and equipment teams to develop new processes and capabilities
• Develop and maintain SOPs, process documentation, training materials, and operational standards
• Lead PFMEA, OCAP, Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives focused on optical quality, throughput, OEE, and cost reduction
• Support implementation of process automation, advanced analytics, and data-driven process optimization strategies
• Mentor engineers and technicians while helping scale robust, production-ready manufacturing processes

The experience you bring

• 8+ years of experience in nanofabrication, semiconductor manufacturing, or related microfabrication environments
• Hands-on experience with dry etch/plasma processing equipment, vacuum systems, process development, recipe optimization, and yield improvement
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical, Chemical, Mechanical, or Materials Science Engineering, or a related technical field
• Hands-on wafer processing experience in cleanroom semiconductor or optical manufacturing environments
• Strong understanding of plasma physics, plasma-surface interactions, and etching mechanisms
• Experience with SPC, DOE, process capability analysis, and structured root cause methodologies such as Six Sigma or DMAIC
• Ability to troubleshoot complex process and equipment issues in high-volume manufacturing environments

It’s exciting if you also have

• M.S. or Ph.D. in a related engineering discipline
• Experience with JMP or other statistical analysis tools
• Metrology experience using SEM, TEM, or related characterization techniques
• Familiarity with FDC, automated data collection, or process automation systems
• Experience supporting wafer-level optics, photonics, or advanced optical manufacturing environments

Additional Requirements

• Occasional travel, including trips to Plantation, FL for cross-site collaboration
• Approximately 10% travel required

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to Equal Employment Opportunities guidelines.

Please note that we do not accept any application documents via (e-)mail. Furthermore, we do not accept applications from recruitment agencies for this role.

All legitimate Magic Leap email communications will end with "@magicleap.com". Please carefully review all emails you receive, to ensure you only engage with legitimate representatives of Magic Leap. For the protection of your Personal Information, do not click any links, open any attachments, or further engage with any suspicious communications. In the event you receive an unexpected or suspicious communication claiming to come from Magic Leap, please reach out directly to [email protected] for assistance.

Accommodations

If you need an accommodation during the application, interviewing, or hiring process, you may request an accommodation by emailing [email protected]. Magic Leap will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities to the extent required by applicable law.

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