Job Description

Priority may be given to the following designated employment equity groups: women, Indigenous peoples* (First Nations, Inuit and Metis), persons with disabilities and racialized persons*.

• The Employment Equity Act, which is under review, uses the terminology Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities.

Candidates are asked to self-declare when applying to this hiring process.
City: Ottawa
Organizational Unit: Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre
Classification: RCO
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 at the NRC work location identified.
Note: This position is being reposted. If you have previously applied you do not need to re-apply.
The Role
We are looking for a Semiconductor 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 support process development and sustaining activities for ASML steppers and mask aligner lithography systems during the evening shift.
The key activities of the Semiconductor Lithography Engineer are:

• Develop and optimize new photolithography processes (coat, develop, and exposure) in a semiconductor manufacturing environment.
• Collaborate with process and equipment engineers to develop and optimize new processes and find/fix 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 customers and CAD engineers to define design rules, fab metrology structures, parametric test structures and product mask sets.
• Provide detailed reports to clients where appropriate.
• Create and revise documentation detailing production processes.
• Assistance in maintenance of the patterning related equipment.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

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
Experience

• Extensive** and recent hands-on experience in a research and development (R&D) or semiconductor fabrication environment.
• Extensive** experience with semiconductor lithography tools, including process development and optimization.
• Basic* experience with an InP-based technology platform.
• Basic* experience in Statistical Process Control (SPC), Design of Experiments (DoE), and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).
• Basic* experience in process integration for semiconductor devices.
• Experience with ASML steppers, contact aligners, and e-beam lithography will be considered an asset.

*Basic experience is defined as experience of up to one (1) year.
**Extensive experience is defined as experience of at least five (5) years.
Condition of Employment
Reliability Status
For a Reliability Status, verification of background information over a period of 5 years is required.
Must be available for shift-work on evenings.
Must qualify to work in a controlled Goods Zone, Training will be provided.
Language Requirements
English
Assessment Criteria
Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:
Technical Competencies

• Solid knowledge of photolithography principles, processes (coating, exposure, development), and characterization techniques.
• Solid knowledge of qualifying and maintaining lithography tools such as resist coaters, developers, and aligners and/or steppers.
• Ability to integrate complex process steps in the fabrication of semiconductor-based devices.
• Solid knowledge of SPC and DoE methods for process development and optimization.
• Knowledge of process improvement methods to support consistent, high-quality manufacturing.
• Solid knowledge of safe practices for working with chemicals, compressed gases, liquid nitrogen, and electrical, mechanical, and vacuum systems.

Behavioural Competencies

• Research - Communication (Level 2)
• Research - Creative thinking (Level 2)
• Research - Partnering (Level 1)
• 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:
Compensation
The intent of this hiring action is to staff this position at the RCO-2/3 level with a salary range of $83,985 to $139,608.
Note: Please note that the full 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 (i.e. above or below the intended level for this position).
NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of 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 National Research Council (NRC), recently named one of Canada's 2025 Top Employers for Young People, a 2025 Top Employer in the National Capital Region and Forbes Canada's Best Employers!
As Canada's leading research and technology 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.
Notes

• Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.
• A pre-qualified list may be established for similar positions for a one year period.
• Preference will be given to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada. Please include citizenship information in your application.
• This position requires to work the evening shift.
• The incumbent must adhere to safe workplace practices at all times.
• The incumbent is expected to work in a cleanroom laboratory environment and follow the established health and safety guidelines.
• The incumbent will be expected to work with hazardous chemicals and materials.
• We thank all those who apply, however only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Please direct your questions, with the requisition number (22781) to:
E-mail:
Closing Date: 14 January 2026 - 11:59 PM Eastern Time
For more information on career tools and other resources, check out .
*If you are currently a term or continuing employee at NRC, please apply through the SuccessFactors Careers module from your NRC computer.

Skills Required