Senior Manufacturing Engineer - Thin Film Engineering (PVD, PECVD, ALD & RIE)

Ensurge Micropower ASA

San Jose, CA

JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Applications Security, Chemistry, Continuous Improvement, Film, ICP, Identify Issues, Integrated Circuits (ICs), Manufacturing, Manufacturing Engineering, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Manufacturing/Industrial Processes, Microscopy, Operational Improvement, Peripheral Vascular Disease, Physics, Plasma, Plasma Chemistry, Process Control Engineering, Process Improvement, Production Schedule, Production Support, Productivity Management, Radio Frequency, Reliability Engineering, Requirements Management, Research & Development (R&D), Sales Qualification, Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Semiconductors, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Stress Engineering, Systems Reliability, Thin Film, Traceability, X-Ray Diffraction
LOCATION
San Jose, CA
POSTED
4 days ago

About Ensurge Micropower

Ensurge Micropower (OSE: ENSU) is a pioneer in solid-state microbattery technology,enabling the next generation of intelligent, connected devices. Leveraging proprietary thin-film and roll-to-roll manufacturing, Ensurge delivers safe, high-energy-density batteries forwearables, health tech, industrial sensing, and defense applications. As our technologytransitions from development to production, disciplined manufacturing execution becomes thedifferentiator.

Role OverviewEnsurge is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer (IC) to own and scale the Thin-FilmEngineering processes - deposition (PVD/Sputtering, PECVD, ALD) and etch (RIE) - frompilot through early production. This role is not just about process - it is about deliveringmanufacturing results. Responsibilities

Own daily manufacturing performance for the PVD/Sputtering, PECVD, ALD, and RIEprocess areas

Drive output, yield, uptime, and cycle time Support production directly - troubleshooting issues in real time Partner with Operations to ensure line execution meets plan

Convert R&D processes into repeatable, production-ready workflows

Define and lock critical process parameters (CPPs) - e.g., chamber pressure, Ar/processgas flow, RF/DC power, substrate bias, deposition rate, film stress and thicknessuniformity targets (PVD/PECVD); precursor/co-reactant pulse and purge times, cyclecount, growth per cycle (GPC), and substrate temperature (ALD); RF power, gaschemistry (e.g., CF4/O2/Cl2), etch rate, selectivity, sidewall profile/anisotropy, DC bias,and endpoint detection (RIE) Define and lock control limits and OCAPs Ensure processes are robust, stable, and scalableWork with Equipment Engineering to: Define tool requirements (sputter cathodes/targets, PECVD chambers, ALD reactors andprecursor delivery systems, RIE/ICP-RIE chambers and endpoint detection systems,RF/DC power supplies, vacuum, gas delivery, and abatement/scrubber systems) Improve reliability and uptime Implement process-driven upgrades Lead tool qualification and process acceptance Ensure equipment supports throughput, precision, and repeatabilityOwn flow from substrate input deposition/etch downstream handoff to assembly Reduce bottlenecks, WIP, and inefficiencies Improve line balance and production scheduling alignment Support layout and flow improvements as the system scalesPartner with Quality to implement: SPC and process control on film thickness, stress, uniformity, and conformality Film characterization (ellipsometry, profilometry, XRD, SEM/AFM, four-point probe) to validate deposition results against CPPs Traceability and data captureBuild and maintain: SOPs Process specs Control plans Ensure manufacturing is data-driven and auditable Lead structured RCA on: Yield loss Defects Downtime Use characterization data (SEM, XRD, cross-section imaging) to root-cause excursions Implement sustainable fixes - not workarounds Drive continuous improvement aligned to operational excellence principles (standard work, DMS, etc.)QualificationsRequired 7-12+ years in manufacturing engineering with thin-film deposition and etch(PVD/sputtering, PECVD, ALD, and/or RIE) in battery, semiconductor, or thin-filmindustries Proven experience owning manufacturing processes on the floor Strong track record of driving yield and throughput improvements Experience supporting or leading pilot production scale-up Hands-on mindset - comfortable working directly with equipment, technicians, andoperators Working knowledge of thin-film characterization techniques (e.g., ellipsometry,profilometry, XRD, SEM) and their use in validating and controlling deposition processesPreferred Understanding of film stress engineering, plasma physics, RF coupling, and DC self-bias Understanding of plasma etch chemistry, selectivity, anisotropy, and endpoint detection(RIE/ICP-RIE) Familiarity with ALD precursor chemistry, self-limiting surface reactions, and pulse/purge sequencing Vacuum systems and chamber conditioning experience Experience with image-based film/defect characterization (SEM, optical microscopy) andcorrelating characterization data back to process control limits Experience with MES, traceability systems, or data-driven manufacturingSalary Range:$162,000-$198,000The base salary range is specific to California. The salary of the final candidate selected for this role will be determined by a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty, and training.

About the Company

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Ensurge Micropower ASA