Process Support Engineer - Inline 3D X-ray

Who We Are

Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting-edge equipment that helps our customers manufacture display and semiconductor chips – the brains of devices we use every day. As the foundation of the global electronics industry, Applied enables the exciting technologies that literally connect our world – like AI and IoT. If you want to push the boundaries of materials science and engineering to create next generation technology, join us to deliver material innovation that changes the world. 

What We Offer

Location:

Shanghai,CHN

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 Support Engineer (PSE), you'll play a critical role in guiding products through their entire lifecycle, from initial concept to final qualification. You will provide high-visibility customer support through on-site installations, system diagnoses, and the service and repair of complex systems and equipment. PSEs work closely with customers and R&D teams to develop leading-edge processes used to manufacture advanced semiconductor chips, and create hypothesis experiments and design of experiments (DOEs). You'll analyze data with statistics and compile reports with high-level conclusions on technically challenging process engineering experiments. Additionally, you will troubleshoot complex problems, perform root cause analyses, and resolve difficult process engineering and customer product issues. Process Support Engineers work across technologies such as: Chemical Vapor Deposition, Atomic Layer Deposition, Plasma Reactive Ion Etch, Physical Vapor Deposition, Anneal and Implant.

Role Responsibilities:

• Provide high-visibility customer support through on-site installations, system diagnoses, and the service and repair of complex systems and equipment 

• Work closely with the customer to develop leading-edge processes used to manufacture the most advanced semiconductor chips, many of which are inside everyday electronic devices 

• Create hypothesis experiments and design of experiments (DOE); analyze data with statistics; and compile reports with high-level conclusions on technically challenging process engineering experiments 

• Troubleshoot complex problems; perform multiple root cause analysis; and resolve a variety of difficult process engineering and customer product issues  

• Communicate with both internal stakeholders and the customer to achieve goals with a focus on building relationships and establishing trust 

• Apply your growing knowledge of the company’s processes and customers to help solve a range of problems and analyze possible solutions 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry/ physics, materials engineering, electrical engineering, optoelectronics or related field 

• 2–4 years of experience in the semiconductor fab or equipment industry  

• Communication proficiency in English language

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or PhD in a related field  

About the Role

This is an exceptional growth opportunity for a hands-on engineer or R&D technician ready to step into a high-impact, customer-facing role in the semiconductor industry. You will interface with the top tier semiconductor customers at their facilities as an extension of our engineering and service teams, supporting a cutting-edge inline 3D X-ray process tool used in Advanced Packaging inspection. With mentorship from experienced X-ray scientists, you will grow from front-line applications and technical support, and for the right person, this position has a clear path toward marketing or systems engineering positions.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Travel to different customer sites to provide on-site technical support for our inline 3D X-ray inspection tool at customer fabs, with guidance from senior X-ray scientists

• Troubleshoot and diagnose hardware, software, and computer system issues methodically

• Investigate complex tool performance issues and help develop and deploy new features in real time

• Develop and optimize process parameters for Advanced Packaging inspection applications, including tool sign-off negotiations with customers

• Support hardware qualification tests and tool bring-up with new hardware configurations

• Develop new inspection workflows and help customers maximize the value they get from the tool

• Drive process integration solutions and improve existing processes, including troubleshooting of excursions on qualified processes

• Support process specification negotiations and participate in product and project presentations in coordination with sales and management

• Identify customer high-value problems and surface inflections, threats, and opportunities for share and TAM growth

• Provide input to the Business Unit for modification of existing product design based on field observations

• Collaborate closely with our remote engineering and service teams, serving as the eyes and ears on the ground

• Adhere to all health and safety requirements at customer sites; other duties as assigned

Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work methodically through complex hardware and software issues

• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively; comfortable managing relationships with internal teams and customer stakeholders

• Excellent customer service skills and internal/external networking ability

• Ability to work under pressure and manage moderately complex projects from planning through execution

• High motivation with a strong work ethic and financial awareness

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both Mandarin and English

• Comfort working in both Linux and Windows operating environments

• Familiarity with Python for scientific data acquisition and instrument control is a plus

• Experience with EPICS (Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System) or a similar distributed motion control and data acquisition platform is a plus

• Willingness to travel to company headquarters in California and additional customer sites as needed

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a technical discipline such as Physics, Applied Physics, Solid State Physics, Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Microelectronic Engineering, Nanotechnology, or a related field

• Background in X-ray technology, synchrotron instrumentation, or similar photon-based techniques is highly desirable (e.g., beamline technician, lab X-ray systems)

• Familiarity with semiconductor process tools, fab environments, or capital equipment is a strong plus

• Preferred: experience with data analysis tools such as JMP, SPC, MATLAB, or Mathematica; Design of Experiment (DOE) principles; semiconductor processes in metrology

• Recent graduates and R&D technicians with relevant instrumentation experience (e.g., synchrotron engineers or technicians) are encouraged to apply

Why Join Us

• Ground-floor opportunity to grow with a team deploying novel metrology technology at leading semiconductor fabs

• Direct mentorship from world-class X-ray scientists and engineers

• Remote-first organization with autonomy and ownership from day one

Additional Information

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Type:

Assignee / Regular

Travel:

Relocation Eligible:

No

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.