Research Engineer (Equipment Engineering), IME

A*STAR RESEARCH ENTITIES; Singapore; On-site; SGD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research institution in Singapore is looking for an Equipment Engineer to take ownership of assigned toolsets in the semiconductor industry. The ideal candidate will troubleshoot complex mechanical and electronic issues, lead improvement initiatives, and manage tool installations. A degree in relevant engineering fields is essential, along with experience in semiconductor equipment operations. The role demands strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Relevant Semiconductor Industry Experience.
• Experience in semiconductor wafer handling, RF power systems, high-vacuum equipment.
• Demonstrated experience with structured problem-solving.

Responsibilities

• Own all assigned toolsets and troubleshoot mechanical and electronic problems.
• Drive root-cause corrective actions for equipment failures.
• Lead continuous improvement teams to enhance tool availability and throughput.
• Manage new tool installation and upgrades to improve fab capability.

Skills

Structured problem-solving

Interpersonal skills

Proactivity

Self-motivation

SPC utilization

Education

Degree/Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics

Tools

Automated Fault Detection and Classification Systems

Equipment Maintenance Management Software

Job description

Job Description

As an Equipment Engineer, you will own all assigned toolsets. The preferred candidate can troubleshoot difficult and poorly defined problems related to mechanics, electronics, and processes using tool knowledge/experience, SPC, schematics, and other available resources. The candidate will collaborate extensively with the area maintenance team and process engineering. Some collaboration will be with tool vendors, other area engineers/managers, procurement, and production.

Provide technical leadership and management of 200MM and 300MM Semiconductor processing equipment in Support of Main Stream Semiconductor Processes and Advanced Packaging processes. Highly desirable for a candidate to have a background in at least one of the following areas: Photolithography, PVD and CVD Thin Films, Dry Etch, Wet Etch /Wafer Clean, Diffusion, Bond, Electroplate (ECD), CMP, or Metrology (some areas may be combined).

• Work with process engineering to drive root-cause corrective actions for equipment failures, implement permanent solutions, and eliminate chronic and long-term down events.
• Lead continuous improvement teams to drive tool matching, availability, and throughput improvements and reduce risk.
• Management of new tool installation, start-up, and tool upgrades to increase fab capability and capacity, lower costs, and improve yields.
• Work with minimal supervision, balancing competing priorities, to serve the needs of the Maintenance, Production, and Development organizations.
• Participate in cross-functional teams that create efficiencies across all layers of the organization.

Job Requirement

• Degree / Diploma with relevant Semiconductor Industry Experience in Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or other relevant Engineering discipline.
• Experience in one or more relevant areas such as semiconductor wafer handling, RF power systems, high-vacuum equipment, toxic gas delivery systems, precision optics, or wet chemistry, with exposure to Wafer Fab and Facilities operations.
• Demonstrated experience with the application of structured problem-solving methodology.
• Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills and is highly energetic, proactive, and self-motivated.
• Experience with Automated Fault Detection and Classification Systems (FDC).
• Strong background with utilizing SPC.
• High level of understanding of equipment component behaviour.
• Experience Integrating Equipment Maintenance Management Software
• Demonstrated ability to meet requirements and deliver results.
• Ability to manage and execute multiple projects simultaneously and shift priorities to meet business needs.