Application Development Engineer (Semiconductor)

Inficon Inc.; City of Syracuse (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit-sharing bonus 10%

401K match up to 8%

Relocation assistance

Job summary

INFICON Inc. is seeking a QCM Application Specialist to develop and advance QCM solutions for semiconductor and display manufacturing. You will collaborate with global field teams, customers, and R&D to validate applications, create BKMs, and drive product improvements.

You will troubleshoot complex performance issues, design experiments, and present data-backed findings. Strong communication and cross-functional skills are required for success in a fast-paced, global environment.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a technical field with 5+ years in semiconductor manufacturing process or equipment engineering.
• Ph.D. in a related field is desirable.
• Hands-on experience with semiconductor lab or fab equipment is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop product applications on semiconductor and display tools; interpret sensor data to characterize processes.
• Act as consultant to field engineers and customers on BKMs and integration solutions.
• Collaborate with Sales, Support, Product Management, and R&D to align solutions with customer needs.
• Troubleshoot hardware-level product performance issues and monitor installed base health.
• Participate in customer meetings, escalations and new opportunity discussions.

Skills

QCM technology

Semiconductor processes

Experiment design

Data analysis

Troubleshooting

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Presentation skills

Education

Master’s degree in Materials Science/Engineering/Physics

PhD desirable

Tools

QCM instrumentation

RGA / OES / RF sensing

Job description

The successful candidate will focus on developing and advancing Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) applications for semiconductor and display manufacturing processes. Working closely with major customers and INFICON field application teams globally, this individual will investigate process and equipment challenges, develop and validate QCM-based solutions, and demonstrate the value of QCM technology in real-world applications.

As the team's QCM application specialist, the successful candidate will also serve as a technical consultant to field application engineers and customers, develop application best-known methods (BKMs), troubleshoot complex application and product performance issues, and collaborate closely with Product Management and R&D to improve existing solutions and investigate new QCM sensor concepts.

Responsibilities

• Develop product applications on various semiconductor and display manufacturing equipment and process tools. Interpret sensor data to characterize, optimize and troubleshoot semiconductor equipment and processes.
• Work with field applications to create custom integration solutions for new and existing INFICON solutions. Act as a technical consultant and advise field Engineers or customers on application BKMs.
• Interact cross-functionally with local Sales & Support team, factory engineering and product management to ensure alignment with customer needs.
• Troubleshoot critical product performance issues at the hardware level and monitor health of equipment installed base via periodic audits.
• Participate in customer meetings, escalations and new opportunity discussions
• Interface internally with Product and Account Management to communicate technical requirements and recommendations as part of the solution development process where off-the-shelf solutions may not be an ideal fit
• Routinely interface with counterparts in other locations to leverage new opportunities.
• Design and execute experiments (DOEs), analyze and present data and findings, and quantify the technical and business value of INFICON solutions, including customer return on investment (ROI).
• Document laboratory work and equipment evaluations of INFICON and competitor instruments.
• Develop and present presentations to customers regarding products and applications
• Write application bulletins and technical articles to be published in conjunction with the Corporate Communications Department

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics or a related technical field with 5 or more years of experience in the area of commercial semiconductor manufacturing process or equipment engineering. Ph.D. in related technical field is desirable.
• Experience in semiconductor fabs is desired
• Ability and drive to develop a strong understanding of semiconductor processes and tools, yield improvements and have the ability to think outside the box
• Hands‑on experience in the research lab or with semiconductor process equipment in a fab, equipment supplier, or laboratory environment is strongly preferred.
• Direct experience with Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) technology is strongly preferred. Experience with thin-film deposition, chamber clean monitoring, semiconductor process monitoring, or other applications relevant to QCM technology is highly desirable.
• Experience with Residual Gas Analysis (RGA), Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES), RF sensing, and/or other semiconductor process monitoring technologies is a plus.
• Strong curiosity and technical initiative, with the ability to investigate complex process and equipment problems, develop hypotheses, design experiments, analyze data, and drive problems toward practical solutions.
• Excellent problem-solving, listening, written and verbal communication, and presentation skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective relationships with internal teams, field application engineers, and customers.
• Ability to adapt effectively to changing field and customer situations and manage multiple technical priorities.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently while remaining an active contributor to a close-knit, collaborative team.

Additional Information

The expected salary range for this position is between $90,000 and $110,00 annually. The actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law. In addition, INFICON employees are eligible for a profit-sharing bonus with a target of 10% as well as 401K match up to 8% (vesting schedule).

INFICON provides a dynamic work environment that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our employees experience ongoing green initiatives, flexible work hours, and a variety of health and wellness programs.

INFICON’s forward-thinking approach offers countless opportunities to design, support, and manufacture a diverse product portfolio that expands globally. Our Lean and Agile work environment offers competitive compensation, relocation assistance, a discretionary bonus, and generous employee benefits; major medical, dental, health, vision, 401K, vacation and sick time, tuition reimbursement, and more!

INFICON is committed to ensuring that our online application process provides an equal opportunity to all job seekers that apply without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, gender, age, protected veteran status, disability status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. A notice describing Federal equal employment opportunity laws is available here to reaffirm this commitment. Any contact that would like to request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact [e-mail] .

INFICON, Inc. strictly complies with all aspects of the Export Administration Regulations ('EAR'), including those sections dealing with deemed exports to foreign nationals.