Senior Process Development Engineer

About Syenta Syenta is pioneering a new era in semiconductor manufacturing with our groundbreaking Localised Electrochemical Manufacturing (LEM) technology. Our platform enables advanced packaging by combining patterning and metallisation into a single tool. We achieve high-speed, high-resolution metallisation at lower costs and energy use, while minimizing emissions and waste. Founded in Australia, we are building a world-class team of engineers and scientists tackling some of the toughest challenges in semiconductor manufacturing. Our collaborative, people-first culture empowers individuals to take ownership, innovate, and deliver breakthrough results. About The Role We are seeking a Senior Process Development Scientist / Engineer to work on the development of Syenta’s core Localized Electrochemical Metallization (LEM) technology. This is a senior, hands-on laboratory role focused on solving complex process development challenges in advanced manufacturing. You will work directly with Syenta’s prototype semiconductor manufacturing hardware to develop, optimise, and understand processes that sit at the heart of Syenta’s technology. The role will involve defining process windows, designing experiments, analysing process outputs, understanding defects, and translating experimental data into clear technical decisions. This role is well suited to someone with strong experience in semiconductor process development, advanced manufacturing, deposition processes, electrochemical systems, or related fields. Electrochemistry or electroplating experience is valuable, but the core requirement is the ability to develop complex processes through rigorous experimentation, data analysis, and root-cause problem solving. In this role, you will provide senior technical input through hands-on work, supporting team members where needed and shaping process development priorities through data-driven insight. Your experience will help identify technical risks, knowledge gaps, and opportunities for innovation within the LEM process stack. About You You are an experienced process development scientist or engineer who enjoys solving difficult, multi-variable technical problems. You are comfortable working with complex systems where hardware, materials, process parameters, metrology, and environment can all influence outcomes. You are confident designing structured experiments, interpreting complex or noisy data, and forming clear, defensible conclusions. When results are unexpected, you are systematic in identifying root causes rather than jumping to assumptions. You can distinguish between process effects, measurement artefacts, hardware issues, material variation, and operator/setup variability. You enjoy working hands-on in the lab and are comfortable spending much of your time running experiments, inspecting samples, analysing data, and improving processes. You value good documentation, clear communication, and rigorous experimental practice. You are collaborative by nature and comfortable working closely with hardware engineers, microfabrication engineers, technicians, and scientists. You enjoy mentoring others through technical challenges without needing formal management responsibility. Roles And Responsibilities Process Development & Optimisation Develop, optimise, and refine Syenta’s LEM process using prototype semiconductor manufacturing hardware Define and improve process windows across key operating parameters Design and execute structured experiments and DOEs to understand multi-variable process behaviour Improve process repeatability, uniformity, yield, and robustness Translate experimental results into actionable process changes and technical recommendations Defect Analysis & Root Cause Understanding Investigate process defects such as non-uniformity, roughness, voiding, adhesion issues, stress, contamination, and other failure modes Use metrology, inspection, and process data to identify likely root causes Correlate process conditions with material quality, feature quality, and device-level outcomes Develop practical hypotheses and validation experiments to confirm or eliminate failure mechanisms Metrology, Data Analysis & Reporting Analyse process outputs using appropriate metrology and characterisation techniques Interpret spatial maps, microscopy data, thickness data, defect data, and other process measurements Present results, conclusions, and recommendations clearly to internal stakeholders Maintain high-quality experimental records, reports, and internal documentation Cross-Functional Development Work closely with hardware, microfabrication, systems, and materials teams to align process development with tool design Provide practical feedback to improve prototype hardware, process workflows, and experimental methods Support internal knowledge transfer and development of best practices Requirements Required PhD in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent senior industry experience Strong hands-on experience in process development, preferably in semiconductor, microfabrication, advanced manufacturing, deposition, or precision materials processing Demonstrated ability to solve complex, multi-variable technical problems Experience designing experiments and analysing multi-variable data setsExperience using metrology and inspection data to understand process performance and defectsClear technical communication skills, both written and verbal Why Choose Syenta? We’re passionate about building a diverse, people-first company. Our culture of collaboration and mutual respect fuels innovation capable of redefining an industry. At Syenta, you’ll have the opportunity to take ownership, lead high-impact teams, and shape the future of semiconductor manufacturing. What We Offer Salary Range: $130-150k (negotiable) Early-stage equity opportunities12% superannuation contributionsFlexible leave policies and a strong work-life balanceProfessional growth in a high-impact, fast-growing deep-tech startupTeam events and collaborative culture, including company-wide gatherings in Australia