Defect Technologist

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:

$124,000.00 - $171,000.00

Location:

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 Process Engineer, you'll play a crucial role in designing and optimizing manufacturing processes for display and semiconductor manufacturing technologies. You will collect and analyze data, perform hardware characterization, and troubleshoot engineering issues. You'll also measure film properties, generate technical documentation, and engage with customers to resolve concerns. Process Engineers collaborate with vendors and suppliers, and become familiar with implementing new technologies and products. You will experiment, learn, and collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the semiconductor and display industries, partnering with our globally recognized R&D teams on state-of-the-art research and development projects.  

Defect Data Collection and Analysis for DefectRx:

• Work with subject matter experts (SME’s) to design DefectRx data collection plans & failure analysis (FA) strategies based on program goals and objectives.
• Review data analysis done by field engineers (Manufacturing Process Engineers (MPE’s), Customer Engineers (CE’s)). Validate data collected and verify DES auto-classification for errors.
• Work with field engineers to source defect causes through DefectExpert System (DES).
• If no DES knowledge exists, collaborate with other SME’s including BU, Defect CoE, PSE, to source defect causes and solutions through other knowledge sources. Feedback learning into Zero Defect knowledge base and DES.
• Work with cross-functional teams comprised of FabVantage DES & DefectRx teams, Defect CoE & AE Knowledge Capture team, BU, MPE’s, Technical Support Engineers (TSE), and the Field Service Organization (FSO) to expand DES scope to additional products and processes, including legacy tools.

Defect Troubleshooting and Defect Baseline Reduction for the Field:

• Develop and assist development of troubleshooting trees by equipment type, including the partitioning structure and detailed steps for defect troubleshooting.
• Collaborate with FSO to understand fab defect troubleshooting methodologies, requirements, and high value problems by equipment type. Perform gap analysis to current capabilities and knowledge.
• Interact with field and business units to collect data from defect incidents for both legacy and NPI tools. Capture data into DES and the Zero Defect knowledge bases. Validate defect root cause and solution.
• Build and maintain knowledge bases for multiple equipment types, including review of field and defect incidents and escalations, case studies, and other sources. Curate defect signatures by symptoms and causes, including partition data, wafer map, particle image, and elemental compositions.
• Collaborate with Service Business Units (SBU’s) and Business Units (BU’s) to create roadmaps for products and services that address defect troubleshooting and defect reduction.
• Data analysis of equipment installed base and chamber configurations, in addition to service case history, to ensure that the knowledge bases cover Applied’s installed base.

Collateral and Training Content Development:

• Contribute to training and communication documents for the field deployment of DES.
• Write case studies, Technical Bulletins, and Lessons Learned for defect reduction and defect troubleshooting.
• Contribute to building a customer value proposition for DES to incentivize customers to share defect data.

Thought Leadership:

• Be an active member of Applied’s defect community through contribution to workshops, seminars, symposia, and the like.

• Participate in Defect CoE cross-organizational learning forums including monthly Defect CoP meetings, weekly Defect CoE staff meetings and project reviews, monthly CoE-BU project reviews and annual Defect Technology Conference.

Requirements:

• Semiconductor industry experience with knowledge of at least one type of equipment in Dielectric Deposition, Etch, or Metal Deposition.
• Experience in defect troubleshooting methodologies for semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
• Experience in leading memory or logic fab, and/or in semiconductor equipment hardware or process engineering development.
• Prefer experience with surface, gas species and material analysis technologies and instruments including, but not limited to, SEM/FIB/TEM/AFM, EDX/XPS/Auger, XRD/XRF/Raman/FTIR, RGA/OES.

• Prefer experience with particulate mechanics and transport (electrophoresis, thermophoresis, photophoresis), aerosols, basic understanding of plasma and vacuum technology.

• Highly organized and detailed-oriented.
• Ability to build and maintain positive and productive inter-departmental working relationships.
• Ability to work in a cross-functional organization and multitask on multiple projects.
• Drive Subject Matter Experts to deliver programs on time and on budget.

• Excellent oral and written communication, organizational, analytical, and interpersonal skills.

Education:

MS in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics or Chemistry.

Additional Information

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Type:

Assignee / Regular

Travel:

Yes, 10% of the Time

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.