Senior / Research Engineer (Equipment Engineering), IME

Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR); Singapore; On-site; SGD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research agency in Singapore is seeking an experienced Equipment Engineer to manage and troubleshoot Semiconductor processing equipment. The ideal candidate should possess over 10 years of relevant industry experience with a strong background in mechanical, electrical, or chemical engineering. Responsibilities include providing technical leadership, managing toolsets, and driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and throughput. Collaboration with cross-functional teams and strong interpersonal skills are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of Semiconductor Industry experience in Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering.
• Experience in Semiconductor Wafer Handling, RF Power, High Vacuum, and Toxic Gas Delivery systems.
• Experience with Automated Fault Detection and structured problem-solving.

Responsibilities

• Manage all assigned toolsets and troubleshoot difficult problems.
• Provide technical leadership for Semiconductor processing equipment.
• Drive root-cause corrective actions and implement permanent solutions.

Skills

Troubleshooting mechanical problems

Knowledge of Semiconductor processes

Automated Fault Detection and Classification

Strong interpersonal skills

Using SPC

Education

Degree / Diploma in relevant engineering discipline

Tools

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 10+ years of relevant Semiconductor Industry Experience in Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or another relevant Engineering discipline.
• 6+ years of experience within the respective areas of expertise. Experience should include one or more: Semiconductor Wafer Handling, RF Power, High Vacuum, Toxic Gas Delivery systems, Precision Optics, and Wet Chemistry.
• Demonstrated experience with the application of structured problem‑solving methodology.
• Positive interpersonal skills, highly energetic 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.