Field Systems Engineer - Photomask Production Systems

Who We Are

Applied Materials is the global leader in materials science and engineering solutions that are at the foundation of virtually every new semiconductor chip and advanced display in the world. The equipment that we create and service is essential to advancing AI and accelerating the commercialization of next-generation semiconductor chips. Join us and push the boundaries of materials science and engineering in a company at the foundation of the electronics industry. The work we do together advances the world’s technology. 

What We Offer

Salary:

$120,000.00 - $165,000.00

Location:

Allen,TX, Austin,TX, Phoenix,AZ, Santa Clara,CA

You’ll benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career as you take on challenges and drive innovative solutions for our customers. We empower our team to push the boundaries of what is possible—while learning every day in a supportive leading global company. Visit our Careers website to learn more. 

At Applied Materials, we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. We’re committed to providing programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth and care for you at work, at home, or wherever you may go. Learn more about our benefits. 

As a Systems Engineer, you’ll design, integrate, and optimize complex systems that drive the semiconductor industry forward. Your expertise in systems thinking and problem-solving is essential as you collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop advanced solutions to intricate processes and writing system specifications. You’ll be responsible for analyzing requirements, defining system architectures, conducting thorough testing, and ensuring seamless integration of subsystems. Additionally, you’ll identify and mitigate risks, confirming that our systems meet the highest quality standards and exceed customer expectations.  

Role Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary Field Service Organization (FSO) technical focal point for High Value Problems (HVPs), customer escalations, and critical system recovery efforts across ALTA Photomask Laser Writer and Sigma Meltec product lines.
• Lead technical investigations and root cause analysis of complex system issues involving optical, laser, electrical, mechanical, software, process, and controls subsystems. Drive corrective actions through implementation and field validation.
• Coordinate with Business Unit (BU) Engineering, Global Product Support (GPS), Technical Support Engineering (TSE), Quality & Reliability, Manufacturing, and Service organizations to resolve field issues and improve product performance.
• Provide hands-on onsite and remote support during customer escalations, system installations, major upgrades, engineering evaluations, and reliability improvement projects.
• Support system engineering projects involving a substantial mix of electrical, mechanical, optics, laser, software, controls, process, and physics disciplines while understanding the overall system implications.
• Develop, evaluate, and implement engineering solutions that improve system reliability, maintainability, serviceability, availability, and customer productivity.
• Support Alpha and Beta site activities including installation, operation, calibration, qualification, testing, and validation of new hardware, software, and process enhancements.
• Perform and coordinate testing of new product designs, engineering changes, and field improvements. Provide detailed feedback and recommendations to engineering teams.
• Partner with Quality & Reliability teams to review recurring field issues, participate in CAPA and FMECA activities, and conduct or facilitate Failure Analysis (FA) as required.
• Develop and maintain Best Known Methods (BKMs), troubleshooting guides, Technical Product Manuals, Customer Engineering Notices (CENs), Internal Service Bulletins (ISBs), and service procedures.
• Collect, analyze, and present system performance, reliability, and qualification data to identify trends and drive continuous product and service improvements.
• Lead cross-functional projects supporting engineering changes, fleet upgrades, new product introductions, and customer-specific improvement initiatives.
• Develop training materials and deliver technical training to Customer Engineers (CEs), Process Support Engineers (PSEs), Technical Product Support (TPS), and field service personnel.
• Identify critical spare parts requirements and partner with Service Business Units and Supply Chain organizations to ensure appropriate stocking strategies are implemented.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to field personnel while promoting standardized troubleshooting methodologies and best practices across the organization.
• Support current business priorities with an initial focus of approximately 75% ALTA Laser Writer support and 25% Sigma Meltec support, transitioning as business needs evolve.
• Provide domestic and international travel support to customer sites, engineering facilities, manufacturing locations, and product development activities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Applied Sciences, Electronics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 4-7 years of experience supporting semiconductor capital equipment, photomask manufacturing equipment, lithography systems, laser systems, or related advanced manufacturing equipment.
• Experience troubleshooting complex electro-mechanical, optical, laser, software, and process systems in a customer-facing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical escalations, cross-functional problem-solving efforts, and customer-critical recovery activities.
• Strong understanding of root cause analysis, reliability improvement methodologies, and engineering change management processes.
• Excellent communication, project leadership, and customer engagement skills.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 50% of the time.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience with ALTA Photomask Laser Writer systems.
• Experience supporting Sigma Meltec products including MRC9000 Cleaners, Sigma Bake, and Sigma Developer systems.
• Knowledge of laser optics, precision motion control, imaging systems, vacuum systems, and semiconductor process equipment.
• Experience with FMECA, CAPA, ECO implementation, and new product introduction activities.
• Previous experience in Customer Engineering (CE), Global Product Support (GPS), Technical Support Engineering (TSE), Systems Engineering, or Product Engineering roles.

Additional Information

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Type:

Assignee / Regular

Travel:

Relocation Eligible:

No

The salary offered to a selected candidate will be based on multiple factors including location, hire grade, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and with consideration of internal equity of our current team members. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable.

For all sales roles, the posted salary range is the Target Total Cash (TTC) range for the role, which is the sum of base salary and target bonus amount at 100% goal achievement.

Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

In addition, Applied endeavors to make our careers site accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us via e-mail at [email protected], or by calling our HR Direct Help Line at 877-612-7547, option 1, and following the prompts to speak to an HR Advisor. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.