Senior Research Engineer - Front-End Semiconductor Equipment Engineering

A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research; Singapore; On-site; SGD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

A*STAR in Singapore is seeking a Senior Research Engineer with broad experience in front-end semiconductor equipment to develop advanced components and manufacturing technologies supporting next-generation wafer fabrication.

The role involves hands-on equipment development, collaboration with industry partners, and leadership of technical work packages, with opportunities to translate research into industrial applications.

Qualifications

• 3–8 years of relevant experience in front-end semiconductor industry.
• Solid engineering fundamentals and hands-on problem-solving skills.
• Strong collaboration and communication abilities to work with industry partners.

Responsibilities

• Develop equipment components and subsystems for next-generation wafer fabrication.
• Design, test, and qualify advanced semiconductor equipment parts.
• Collaborate with industry partners to translate research into practical innovations.
• Lead or support industry-linked projects and document findings.

Skills

3–8 years experience

Front-end semiconductor

Hands-on problem solving

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in engineering

Tools

SEMI standards

Job description

About The Role

We are seeking a motivated Senior Research Engineer with solid experience in the front-end semiconductor industry to develop advanced semiconductor equipment, critical components, and manufacturing technologies that support next-generation wafer fabrication processes.

The successful candidate will contribute hands-on to equipment and component development, manufacturing process innovation, industry collaboration, and technology translation — helping to strengthen semiconductor manufacturing capabilities and industrial competitiveness. This role also offers the opportunity to lead or support industry-linked and exploratory projects that generate impactful outcomes for the semiconductor sector and for Singapore.

This is a strong opportunity for an engineer with a solid technical foundation and some industry experience to grow into more senior technical and project leadership roles within a mission-driven research environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Equipment and Component Development and Manufacturing Innovation
• Design, develop, and test advanced semiconductor equipment component, sub-modules and process modules to support next-generation wafer fabrication processes.
• Support equipment development from concept, design, prototyping, integration, and qualification through to industry deployment.
• Investigate and apply novel materials, process techniques, or engineering approaches to address manufacturing challenges.
• Conduct experiments, collect and analyse data, and document findings to support process development and continuous improvement.
• Industry Collaboration & Technology Translation
• Work closely with industry partners (foundries, Integrated Device Manufacturers (IDMs), equipment/materials suppliers) to understand real manufacturing requirements and translate them into practical equipment or process innovations.
• Support technology transfer activities, helping to move research outcomes from lab/pilot scale toward industrial adoption.
• Participate in technical discussions and project meetings with industry collaborators, contributing engineering insight and problem-solving support.
• Project Contribution & Leadership
• Lead or support well-scoped industry-linked and exploratory projects, taking ownership of technical work packages and delivering results against agreed timelines.
• Contribute to technical proposals, reports, and documentation to support project funding, review, and stakeholder communication.
• Collaborate with senior engineers and scientists to align project work with broader technology roadmaps and strategic priorities.
• As experience grows, take on increasing responsibility for guiding junior engineers or interns on assigned tasks.
• Technical Development & Best Practices
• Stay abreast of emerging trends and developments in semiconductor equipment, components, and manufacturing technology relevant to front-end wafer fabrication.
• Apply sound engineering practices, including design reviews, root-cause analysis, and structured problem-solving, to ensure quality and reliability of technical outcomes.
• Contribute to building internal technical capability, including documentation of best practices, lessons learned, and reusable engineering knowledge.

Eligibility Criteria - Education

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Mechatronics or a closely related engineering discipline.

Eligibility Criteria - Experience

• Some relevant working experience in the front-end semiconductor industry (e.g., wafer fabrication, semiconductor equipment/toolmaking, or process/component development); candidates with around 3–8 years of relevant experience are encouraged to apply, though candidates with different levels of relevant experience will also be considered.
• Practical exposure to one or more of the following areas is highly desirable:
  • Semiconductor equipment or critical component design and development
  • Wafer fabrication process technology (e.g., deposition, etch, lithography, cleaning, metrology)
  • Manufacturing process development, optimisation, or yield improvement
  • Equipment integration, testing, and qualification
• Experience working on projects involving industry collaborators or cross-functional technical teams is an advantage.
• Exposure to technology transfer or translation of research outcomes into practical/industrial applications is a plus.

Eligibility Criteria - Skills & Attributes

• Solid engineering fundamentals with strong hands-on problem-solving skills.
• Good analytical skills, with the ability to design experiments, interpret data, and draw sound engineering conclusions.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary project team.
• Good communication skills, with the ability to document and present technical work clearly.
• Proactive, curious, and eager to learn, with a strong interest in advancing semiconductor manufacturing technology.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced R&D environment with evolving priorities and industry-driven timelines.

Eligibility Criteria - Preferred (not Mandatory)

• Prior internship, attachment, or working experience with a semiconductor equipment supplier, foundry, IDM, or research institute.
• Familiarity with relevant industry standards (e.g., SEMI standards) or equipment safety/compliance requirements.
• Any relevant publications, patents, or project contributions related to semiconductor equipment or manufacturing technology.

The above eligibility criteria are indicative; additional selection criteria may be applied in line with prevailing recruitment policies. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.