Sr. Foundry Process Engineer Technical Lead

Blackwatch International Corporation (Blackwatch), a small business founded in 2010, is dedicated to supporting Federal government and national security objectives. Based in McLean, VA, with offices in Sacramento, CA, Blackwatch invests in innovation and quality for our customers and staff, holding corporate-level ISO 9001:2015, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, and ISO/IEC 20000-1:2018 quality certifications, as well as an appraisal at CMMI Maturity Level 3 for services and supplier management. We are a leading provider of information technology (IT) infrastructure, cybersecurity, DevSecOps, data exploitation, and engineering services, specializing in large and complex projects. Blackwatch is dedicated to growth and offers a dynamic working environment with multiple opportunities for advancement.

Position Title: Senior Foundry Process Engineer – Technical Lead

Position Location: Sacramento, CA

Position type: Regular Full Time

Years of experience: 10+

Security Clearance: Secret or ability to obtain – SECRET

US Citizenship Required: Yes

Classification: Exempt

Telecommute: Telework is not available for this position.

Role Summary

Step into a career-defining role as a Senior Foundry Process Engineer – Technical Lead at Blackwatch. Join a team building a brand-new cleanroom fabrication capability for the Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA), designing from the ground up how this next-generation foundry will operate. You’ll work with state-of-the-art equipment to enable advanced power microelectronics for critical mission profiles. From equipment strategy and vendor engagement to installation, qualification, and transfer to production, you’ll drive innovation in a low-volume, high-complexity environment. As a technical authority, you’ll lead cross-module integration and ensure facility readiness across process areas such as Epitaxy (Epi), CMP, Thin Films (PVD/CVD/ALD), Wet cleans/etch, Diffusion/Anneal, and Ion Implant—with depth in at least one and breadth across others.  This role supports a Federal R&D cleanroom/fab setting at the Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) and is customer-facing, requiring adherence to facility policies, cleanroom protocols, and safety standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and buildout of a new cleanroom fabrication capability, influencing facility layout and operational readiness.
• Drive Foundry expansion projects: interpret equipment requirements, coordinate vendor selection, and manage installation of cutting-edge semiconductor tools.
• Oversee qualification and acceptance testing; ensure documentation and seamless transfer of equipment to production.
• Collaborate across engineering, facilities, and operations to bring a visionary manufacturing capability to life.
• Lifecycle equipment ownership: author specifications, lead vendor selection, oversee factory/site acceptance (FAT/SAT), installation/start-up, qualification (PQ), and handoff to operations.
• Design & analyze DOEs; interpret device/parametric data; apply SPC and statistical methods for root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Recommend and implement process/equipment modifications to improve throughput, cost, and quality; partner with suppliers to develop enabling technologies.
• Develop forward-looking process roadmaps and stay current on industry trends to guide module strategy and capability investments.
• Provide technical leadership: mentor engineers and technicians; lead cross-functional teams; model operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Ensure operational readiness: author procedures, acceptance criteria, SPC plans, and safety documentation; align with EHS for chemical handling and cleanroom compliance.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or related STEM discipline.
• 10+ years of semiconductor process engineering experience with depth in at least one module (Epi, CMP, Thin Films, Wet, Diffusion, Implant,, Metrology, Test & Measurement,  clean room facilities) and breadth across multiple modules.
• Proven leadership in technology development → production transfer, DOE creation/analysis, and yield improvement.
• Hands-on experience specifying, installing, qualifying, and releasing semiconductor process equipment to production.
• Strong communication and mentoring skills; ability to lead complex programs to closure.
• Comfortable working in cleanroom environments with safe handling of process chemicals (acids/solvents).
• U.S. Citizenship and active or ability to obtain Secret clearance (firm requirement).

Preferred Qualifications

• MS/PhD in a relevant engineering or science field.
• Experience in foundry or lab customer engineering/NPI, technology transfers, and integration troubleshooting.
• Demonstrated leadership as a principal engineer/domain expert influencing technical direction and mentoring teams.
• Prior experience supporting Federal R&D facilities with formal safety/compliance protocols.

Work Model & Benefits

On-site role at McClellan Park / Sacramento, CA; standard day shift; relocation assistance available; no regular travel.

Competitive benefits package (details available upon request).

Equal Opportunity Employer

Blackwatch International Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to protected characteristics. Blackwatch participates in E-Verify.