Etching engineer
Pubblicato il 28-08-2026 - Ephos in Milano
Ephos is building vertically integrated, advanced packaging solutions on glass panels. We transform raw glass into electronic and optically active substrates for die-to-die connectivity, manufactured entirely within our own facilities. Our systems are built for companies developing AI accelerators, including hyperscalers and top-tier chip designers.
We have already delivered products to leading global firms, and we are currently building a new fabrication facility to scale production by 100x. This expansion is backed by a $50M EU CHIPS Act grant—the first ever awarded to a startup.
The role
We are seeking an Etching Engineer specializing in glass panel manufacturing to join our Process team. In this role, your primary focus will be owning, optimizing, and scaling our glass etching processes (wet/chemical, dry, or laser). You will bridge the gap between R&D; and mass production, ensuring our glass panels meet strict optical, structural, and cosmetic standards while maximizing yield and throughput.
Your responsibilities
- Lead the development, qualification, and continuous improvement of glass etching processes to meet precise dimensional and surface specifications.
- Monitor process performance using Statistical Process Control (SPC). Identify root causes of defects (e.g., uneven etching, micro-cracks, contamination) and implement robust corrective actions.
- Partner with equipment and chemical vendors to optimize etching baths, spray systems, or plasma/laser parameters. Manage chemical concentrations, flow rates, and temperature controls.
- Characterize new glass materials and etching chemistries through rigorous DoE to improve process windows and reduce cycle times.
- Maintain strict adherence to environmental and safety protocols, particularly regarding the handling, recycling,
and disposal of hazardous etching chemicals (e.g., HF, specialized acids, or gases).
- Work closely with R&D; to transition new product designs into production.
The candidate we are looking for
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Physics, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
- 3+ years of hands‑on process engineering experience in glass panel manufacturing, display technology (LCD/OLED), solar/photovoltaic modules, or semiconductor processing.
- Demonstrated, deep experience specifically with glass etching processes (e.g., wet chemical etching, acid frosting, buffered oxide etch, or plasma/RIE dry etching). Experience in new tool validation is a plus.
- Proficiency in SPC (Statistical Process Control), data analysis software is a plus.
- Strong understanding of DoE (Design of Experiments) and FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) methodologies.
- Familiarity with metrology tools used to measure glass thickness, surface roughness, and etch depth (e.g., profilometers, ellipsometers, microscopes).
- Can commit to tempo pieno lab presence; due to the nature of the role we will not consider remote applicants.
- Ephos is a demanding environment. We operate with exceptional ambition and move fast, because the market gives us no other option. We expect excellence from you, as we do from one another. This environment offers unmatched opportunities to learn, build, and grow, but it also requires significant commitment.
What we offer
- Top of the market salary.
- Stock options; granted at this stage, they can become extremely valuable.
- An exceptional opportunity for growth.
The hiring process
- Interview with our Head of Process.
- Interview with a senior Process Engineer of our team, with a practical exercise.
- Interview with our CEO.
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