Principal Materials and Failure Analysis Engineer (SIMS)
HybridSherman, Texas, United States
Sherman, Texas, United StatesHybridFull TimeSenior LevelDoctorate Or Professional DegreeHealthcare TechLarge
Full TimeSenior LevelDoctorate Or Professional DegreeLargeHealthcare Tech
Job Summary
Establish and lead the SIMS laboratory at Coherent Sherman, defining capabilities, selecting equipment, and ensuring operational readiness for semiconductor and optoelectronic technologies. Direct the SIMS Materials Analysis workflow from sample preparation to reporting, while serving as the site Subject Matter Expert to guide manufacturing, R&D, and engineering teams. Lead complex root cause analyses and investigations using SIMS, SEM, FIB, and TEM to drive corrective actions and yield improvements. Develop new analytical methods, implement quality systems, and optimize instrumentation uptime through collaboration with Facilities and Equipment Engineering. Prepare technical reports, communicate findings to stakeholders, and mentor engineers to build organizational capability. Collaborate with global teams to standardize methodologies and support new product introductions.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree with 9 years of related experience
- Master's degree with 7 years of related experience
- PhD with 4 years of related experience
- Experience in materials characterization
- Experience in semiconductor processing
- Experience in failure analysis
- Experience in thin-film technologies
- Experience in epitaxial growth
- Experience supporting optoelectronic, photonic, or semiconductor manufacturing environments
- Advanced expertise with SIMS and/or TOF-SIMS characterization techniques
- Demonstrated experience performing dopant profiling
- Demonstrated experience performing contamination analysis
- Demonstrated experience performing depth profiling
- Demonstrated experience performing materials characterization of semiconductor and optoelectronic materials
- Experience with epitaxial growth technologies including MOCVD, MBE, sputtering, thin-film deposition, or related processes
- Strong understanding of semiconductor device physics
- Strong understanding of solid-state physics
- Strong understanding of materials science
- Strong understanding of failure mechanisms
- Experience with advanced analytical techniques such as SEM, FIB, TEM, EDX, XPS, AFM, or related methods
- Proficiency with data analysis software including JMP, Excel, and statistical analysis tools
- Experience applying Design of Experiments (DOE)
- Experience applying regression analysis
- Experience applying statistical process control
- Experience applying data-driven decision-making techniques
- Ability to develop analytical models
- Ability to interpret complex data sets
- Ability to provide actionable recommendations
- Strong communication skills
- Strong presentation skills
- Strong technical writing skills
- Strong cross-functional collaboration skills
- Ability to lead technical projects
- Ability to influence decisions across multiple organizations
- Time management skills
- Ability to safely handle and transfer liquid nitrogen
- Ability to pour liquid nitrogen into approved containers
- Ability to load samples into characterization equipment
- Manual dexterity sufficient to prepare analytical samples
- Ability to perform wafer cleaving
- Ability to mount samples
- Ability to handle small specimens
- Close visual acuity, with or without corrective lenses
- Ability to distinguish colors
- Ability to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word in English
- Ability to perceive the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels
- Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication
- Ability to make fine discriminations in sound
- Ability to review and investigate using a microscope
- Ability to bend forward at the waist or spine, up to 1 hour at a time
- Ability to walk considerable distances in the facility, up to 500 meters
- Ability to move objects up to 25lbs over short distances
- Ability to ascend and descend stairs and ladders
- Ability to kneel/crouch to reach objects below workstations
- Ability to perform precision positioning manual probes using left and right hands and arms for up to 1 hour at a time
- Ability and willingness to wear cleanroom attire for up to 4 hours at a time
- Willingness to wear ESD attire (shoes, frocks, wrist straps, etc.)
- Willingness to work in a class 10,000 clean room for extended periods
- Willingness to work in a laboratory environment maintained at approximately 60°F (15°C)
- Willingness to work with and around chemicals such as IPA, acetone, and laboratory process chemicals
- Willingness to work with cryogenic materials including liquid nitrogen
- Willingness to participate in team meetings including some outside typical work hours
- Flexibility to support a 24 hour manufacturing operation
- Ability to wear Nitrile gloves for handling IPA, acetone, wafers, die, or any other parts submitted for analysis
- Ability to wear Laser safety glasses for testing high power laser parts
- Ability to wear Safety glasses and goggles when handling Die punch tool, pouring liquid nitrogen, and cleaning with chemicals
- Ability to wear Thermal Gloves for handling liquid nitrogen
- Ability to wear Sharps gloves for handling sharp parts
- Ability to wear Face shield for handling liquid nitrogen or cleaning parts with chemicals
- Ability to wear Apron and chemical gloves for pouring chemicals
- Ability to attend scheduled training
- Ability to follow the site EHS procedures
- Ability to follow Corporate EHS standards
- Ability to use proper protective equipment (PPE) as required by the job responsibilities
- Ability to perform risk assessments
- Ability to ensure work instructions are available
- Ability to monitor compliance with safety and environmental procedures
- Ability to execute and maintain ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards
Desired Qualifications
- Experience supporting optoelectronic, photonic, or semiconductor manufacturing environments
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