Applications Engineer – Semiconductor Metrology (Atomic Force Microscopy)
Based at customer site in Hillsboro, OR
Base Salary - $130,000 - $150,000
This company is a global leader in Atomic Force Microscopy technology, providing advanced nanoscale metrology solutions to the semiconductor industry. Its industry-leading AFM platforms are used by leading semiconductor manufacturers, research institutes, and advanced packaging facilities for critical process development, failure analysis, yield improvement, and next-generation device characterisation.
As semiconductor device geometries continue to shrink and advanced packaging technologies become increasingly complex, demand for high-resolution, non-destructive metrology solutions continues to grow. This company are seeking an Applications Engineer to support customers in developing and implementing advanced AFM-based measurement techniques for semiconductor manufacturing and process development environments.
The Role
As an Applications Engineer, you will work directly with semiconductor customers to develop, optimize, and support AFM measurement solutions used throughout the semiconductor manufacturing process. You will act as a technical expert, helping customers solve complex metrology challenges while developing new characterisation methods and measurement recipes for advanced semiconductor applications.
This position combines hands-on experimentation, recipe development, customer collaboration, technical consultation, and application development, making it ideal for someone who enjoys working at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and customer success.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, optimise, and validate AFM measurement recipes for semiconductor process monitoring, process development, and failure analysis applications.
- Collaborate with semiconductor customers to establish best practices for sample preparation, measurement workflows, and data interpretation.
- Provide technical support and application expertise for advanced AFM techniques used in semiconductor manufacturing environments.
- Conduct feasibility studies and proof-of-concept evaluations to demonstrate AFM capabilities for customer-specific applications.
- Support customers with process characterisation challenges involving advanced logic, memory, compound semiconductor, and packaging technologies.
- Develop new methodologies for nanoscale surface characterisation, defect analysis, and dimensional metrology.
- Perform detailed data analysis and provide recommendations to customers regarding process optimisation and yield improvement.
- Deliver customer training, technical presentations, and application-focused workshops.
- Generate technical reports, application notes, and documentation to support both customers and internal teams.
- Work closely with Sales, Field Service, and R&D teams to support new product introductions and identify emerging customer requirements.
Typical Applications You will support applications including
- Surface roughness and topography measurements
- Critical dimension and profile metrology
- Advanced packaging inspection
- Through-silicon via (TSV) characterisation
- Wafer defect inspection and analysis
- CMP process monitoring and optimization
- Thin-film characterization
- EUV-related process development
- Gate, fin, and transistor structure characterisation
- High-bandwidth memory (HBM) and advanced packaging technologies
- Failure analysis and process troubleshooting
- Semiconductor materials characterization
Required Background
- Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Physics, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Nanotechnology, Semiconductor Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Hands-on experience with AFM, Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM), or other high-resolution semiconductor metrology techniques.
- Strong understanding of semiconductor manufacturing processes and device fabrication.
- Experience developing measurement methods, characterisation procedures, or metrology recipes within a semiconductor environment.
- Ability to troubleshoot complex technical challenges and communicate findings effectively to customers.
- Excellent presentation and customer-facing communication skills.
- Experience working within semiconductor fabs, process development laboratories, failure analysis groups, or semiconductor equipment companies is highly desirable.
Preferred Experience
Experience with one or more of the following would be advantageous:
- Semiconductor process integration
- Advanced packaging technologies
- Yield engineering
- Failure analysis
- Metrology and inspection equipment
- Surface science and thin-film characterization
- Electrical property characterisation
- Semiconductor R&D environments
- Wafer fabrication processes including lithography, etch, deposition, CMP, and packaging
Why Join?
- Join the global technology leader in Atomic Force Microscopy.
- Work with many of the world's leading semiconductor manufacturers and technology innovators.
- Support cutting-edge developments in AI, advanced packaging, memory, and next-generation semiconductor devices.
- Influence the development of new metrology techniques and future product capabilities.
- Enjoy a highly technical, customer-facing role with significant opportunities for professional growth and international collaboration.
If you are passionate about semiconductor technology, nanoscale metrology, and solving complex manufacturing challenges, this is an opportunity to work at the forefront of semiconductor innovation.
