Technical Service Engineer – Laser Metrology Systems

Optimus Search; Jena; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Optimus Search seeks a Technical Service Engineer to join a specialist team developing, manufacturing and supporting advanced laser-based metrology and inspection systems for the semiconductor industry in Germany. The role blends hands-on field service with deep system understanding of lasers, optics, photodetectors, electronics and motion systems.

You will diagnose complex failures, work across hardware and software, and travel internationally as needed to resolve issues.

Qualifications

• Open to candidates from a range of technical backgrounds including photonics, optical metrology, semiconductor equipment, automation, machine vision and technical field service.
• Experience with optical alignment, laser-based measurement systems, polarization, detectors or metrology/inspection systems is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose complex equipment failures and identify root causes.
• Troubleshoot across optical, laser, electronic, mechanical, software and automation systems.
• Analyse system logs and diagnostic information.
• Investigate measurement and performance issues and support real-time troubleshooting.
• Perform and support optical alignment and system re-alignment.
• Troubleshoot wafer handling and robotic systems and support motion-control and automation.
• Provide technical support to local and international service teams and on-site/remote assistance.
• Travel internationally when required to resolve complex issues.
• Document technical findings and corrective actions, feeding insights back to engineering.

Skills

Problem-solving

Hands-on engineering

Field service experience

Systematic troubleshooting

Job description

Industry: Semiconductor Technology | Laser Metrology | Optical Inspection

Focus Areas: Optics | Lasers | Metrology | Automation | Troubleshooting | Field Service

The Role

We are looking for a Technical Service Engineer to join a specialist technology team developing, manufacturing and supporting advanced laser-based metrology and inspection systems for the semiconductor industry.

This is a technically demanding role that goes well beyond conventional equipment servicing. You will work with complex automated systems combining lasers, optics, photodetectors, electronics, motion systems, robotics, software and precision measurement technologies.

Many of the problems you will encounter will not have an obvious cause. You will therefore need to approach failures systematically, understand how different parts of the system interact, develop and test hypotheses, and identify the true root cause.

The ideal candidate combines the mindset of a problem-solving engineer or researcher with the practical, hands-on approach of an experienced service engineer.

About the Technology

The systems are used for semiconductor wafer inspection and metrology, particularly in applications associated with advanced wafer processing.

The technology uses optical measurement techniques to characterise wafer materials and identify properties such as stress, birefringence and material defects.

The equipment is highly automated and incorporates:

• Laser sources and optical systems
• Polarisation-based measurement technology
• Photodetectors and signal electronics
• Precision motion systems
• Automated wafer handling
• Robotic systems
• Machine control and automation
• Measurement and analysis software

Potential applications include inspection and characterisation of advanced semiconductor materials, including silicon and compound semiconductor materials.

Key Responsibilities

As a Technical Service Engineer, you will be responsible for supporting the operation, troubleshooting and technical escalation of complex laser metrology systems.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Diagnosing complex equipment failures and identifying root causes
• Troubleshooting across optical, laser, electronic, mechanical, software and automation systems
• Analysing system logs and diagnostic information
• Investigating measurement and performance issues
• Performing and supporting optical alignment and system re-alignment
• Troubleshooting wafer handling and robotic systems
• Supporting motion-control and automated machine functions
• Providing technical support to local and international service teams
• Providing remote and onsite technical support
• Travelling internationally when required to resolve complex technical issues
• Working hands-on with equipment during onboarding, training and technical escalation
• Documenting technical findings and corrective actions
• Feeding field experience and technical findings back into engineering and development teams
• Supporting continuous improvement of system reliability, serviceability and performance

You will work closely with colleagues across Service, Software, Applications, Production and R&D.

The Technical Challenge

This position is particularly suited to someone who enjoys solving problems where the answer is not immediately obvious.

When a system fails, you may need to determine whether the underlying cause is:

• Optical alignment
• Laser performance
• Polarisation behaviour
• Photodetector or signal-chain performance
• Electronics
• Software
• Motion systems
• Mechanical positioning
• Measurement algorithms
• System integration

Your Background

We are open to candidates from a range of technical backgrounds, including:

• Photonics
• Optical metrology
• Semiconductor equipment
• Semiconductor inspection
• Scientific instrumentation
• Machine vision
• Precision measurement
• Automation
• Mechatronics
• Technical field service

You may have experience with some of the following:

• Optical systems and optical alignment
• Laser-based measurement systems
• Polarisation, birefringence or depolarisation
• Photodiodes and photodetectors
• Signal electronics and amplifiers
• Automated machinery
• Robotics and wafer handling
• Motion control
• Log-file and diagnostic analysis
• Software-based troubleshooting
• Semiconductor manufacturing equipment
• Metrology or inspection systems
• Complex laboratory or scientific equipment

You do not need to have experience in every area. What matters most is your ability to understand complex systems and solve technical problems systematically.