Lead Scientist, CMP/pCMP

Job Title:

Job Description:

The Role: 

• Entegris is seeking a Lead Scientist with deep chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) and post-CMP cleaning (pCMP) experience to lead the development of advanced slurry and cleaning solutions for semiconductor applications.

• In this role, you will apply broad technical expertise and in-depth knowledge of CMP and pCMP mechanisms to solve complex customer and product-development challenges. You will lead critical technical workstreams, define experimental strategies, and translate structure-performance relationships into differentiated products and process solutions.

• The Lead Scientist will work across global R&D, Applications, Analytical, Manufacturing, Quality, Product Management, Marketing, and customer-facing teams. This position is an experienced technical leadership role and does not require direct people-management responsibility.

In this role you will: 

• Technical Innovation & Product Development

  •LeadtheformulationandprocessdevelopmentofCMPslurriesandpCMPcleaningchemistriesforadvancedsemiconductorapplications.
  •Definetechnicalstrategy,testplans,decisioncriteria,anddevelopmentpathwaysforcomplexprojectswithsignificanttechnicalambiguity.
  •Establishstructure-property-performancerelationshipsinvolvingabrasiveparticles,oxidizers,inhibitors,complexingagents,polymers,surfactants,dispersants,andcleaningadditives.
  •Developmechanisticunderstandingofmaterialremoval,selectivity,defectivity,corrosion,residueremoval,particlecontamination,surfacecondition,andformulationstability.
  •Designanddirectstatisticallyrobustexperiments,includingDOEandmultivariateanalysis,andintegratewafer,coupon,analytical,andformulationdatatoguidedevelopmentdecisions.
  •Leadtroubleshootingandroot-causeanalysisforcomplexslurry,cleaning,process,equipment,scale-up,andcustomer-performanceissues.

• Product Commercialization & Customer Success

  •PartnerwithApplicationsteamstodesignandexecuteCMPandpCMPevaluationsonrelevantfilms,substrates,testwafers,andpatternedwafers.
  •Translatecustomerrequirementsanddevice/processtrendsintoproductspecifications,technicalmilestones,anddifferentiatedvaluepropositions.
  •Leadtechnicalreviewsandcommunicateconclusions,risks,andrecommendationstoseniorR&Dleaders,cross-functionalstakeholders,andcustomers.
  •Supportraw-materialselection,formulationrobustness,scale-up,technologytransfer,productqualification,andNewProductIntroduction.
  •Driveintellectualpropertycreationthroughinventiondisclosures,patentsupport,technicaldocumentation,andprotectionofproprietaryknow-how.

• Technical Leadership & Operational Excellence

  •Providetechnicalmentorshiptoscientists,engineers,andtechniciansandhelpestablishbestpracticesforexperimentalrigor,dataquality,andlaboratoryexecution.
  •Buildproductiveglobalnetworksandinfluencetechnicaldirectionacrossteamswithoutrelyingondirectauthority.
  •MaintainexemplaryEHS,chemical-handling,quality,anddocumentationpracticesandactivelystrengthenasafety-firstculture.
  •Travelupto30%,includingcustomersitesandglobaltechnologyormanufacturinglocations,basedonbusinessneeds.

Traits we believe make a strong candidate: 

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, Surface Science, or a related field with a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience; OR a Master’s degree with a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience; OR a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience; equivalent education and experience may be considered.

• Demonstrated hands-on experience in CMP slurry development, pCMP cleaning development, CMP process development, or closely related semiconductor surface-processing technology.

• Deep understanding of CMP and pCMP fundamentals, including surface chemistry, colloid and interface science, particle behavior, chemical-mechanical interactions, corrosion control, residue removal, and defect mechanisms.

• Proven ability to independently solve complex, multi-variable technical problems and to determine appropriate methods, experiments, and decision criteria.

• Strong record of designing and analyzing statistically rigorous experiments and converting complex datasets into clear technical conclusions and next steps.

• Experience connecting formulation composition and process conditions to removal rate, selectivity, defects, surface quality, cleaning efficiency, and product robustness.

• Experience with semiconductor materials such as metals, dielectrics, barrier or liner films, and advanced interconnect materials is preferred.

• Experience supporting customer engagements, product qualification, scale-up, technology transfer, or commercialization is strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated technical leadership, influence, mentoring capability, and effective collaboration across global and cross-functional organizations.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present technically complex information in English to global teams and customers.

• Strong commitment to laboratory safety, data integrity, intellectual property protection, and disciplined technical documentation.

Your success will be measured by: 

• Technical leadership: Establishes credible technical direction and resolves high-impact CMP and pCMP challenges through sound scientific judgment.

• Innovation and differentiation: Creates protectable formulations, mechanisms, methods, or product concepts that deliver meaningful customer value.

• Project impact: Delivers critical technical milestones, manages uncertainty and risk, and enables timely project decisions.

• Customer relevance: Connects customer process requirements to practical, robust, and differentiated material solutions.

• Collaboration and influence: Builds effective global partnerships and aligns cross-functional teams around evidence-based recommendations.

• Talent development: Raises team capability through mentoring, technical reviews, knowledge sharing, and rigorous experimental standards.

• Safety and quality: Demonstrates visible leadership in EHS, data integrity, documentation, and product-development discipline.