SEM Process Assistant: Wafer Inspection & Tool Excellence

Interuniversitair Micro-Electronica Centrum; Vlaams-Brabant; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Interuniversitair Micro-Electronica Centrum (imec) is seeking a Process Assistant to support SEM Operations in our state-of-the-art fab. You will work hands-on with inline SEM and XSEM tools to enable high-quality wafer inspection, process monitoring, and operational excellence across the imec Fab.

Collaborate with First Line Support, Equipment and Process Engineers to ensure tool availability, stability, and performance.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operational readiness of SEM tools within a 24/7 production environment
• Collaborate with First Line Support (FLS), Equipment, and Process Engineers to ensure tool availability, stability, and performance
• Act as a technical bridge between Operations and Engineering to enable smooth coordination and handovers
• Support cross-functional initiatives aimed at reducing cycle time and improving tool efficiency
• Escalate tool or process issues and follow up on non-conformities related to tool behaviour, inspection quality, or data integrity
• Manage incoming SEM metrology requests and verify their alignment with tool capabilities and process specifications
• Advise requesters on optimal inspection strategies, including recommending more suitable metrology techniques when appropriate
• Review and interpret inline SEM/XSEM output, as well as macro- and microscopic wafer inspections; share findings with process engineers and other stakeholders
• Support timely wafer movement by proactively screening flows and reports (e.g., hold queues, tool down/forecast reports), and contribute to reducing hold times
• Coordinate inspection reservations and align with stakeholders to minimize cycle time impact, supporting the fab’s overall KPI targets
• Review and append SEM and FIB signature/authorization requests
• Share Best Known Methods (BKMs) and documentation templates to support consistent and high-quality inspection output across the team
• Collaborate with operators, FLS, and engineers to execute daily priorities efficiently and accurately
• Support training, onboarding, and continuous learning within the team
• Contribute to knowledge transfer by sharing insights on inspection data interpretation, inspection techniques, and tool behaviour

Job description

Interuniversitair Micro-Electronica Centrum (imec) is seeking a Process Assistant to support SEM Operations in our state-of-the-art fab. You will work hands-on with inline SEM and XSEM tools to enable high-quality wafer inspection, process monitoring, and operational excellence across the imec Fab.

Collaborate with First Line Support, Equipment and Process Engineers to ensure tool availability, stability, and performance.