Applications Engineer

Kurt J. Lesker Company; Rockleigh (NJ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical & Dental

401(k)

Paid vacations

Sick time

Job summary

KDF Technologies, LLC is seeking an Application Engineer to identify and develop critical thin film processes, lead R&D in deposition, and present results at industry conferences. You will work with customers to solve PVD process issues and help drive new practices for improved efficiency and material usage.

Ideal candidates have a BS in Materials Science or Engineering (PhD a plus) and 2+ years of experience with vacuum/PVD techniques, metrology tools, and data analysis.

Qualifications

• BS in Material Science or Engineering; PhD a plus.
• 2+ years of experience in relevant field.
• Knowledge of Vacuum Technology and PVD techniques (sputtering).
• In-house metrology tools (profilometer, ellipsometer, reflectometer, RGA, etc.).
• Strong ability to run experiments, analyze data, and generate test reports.
• Excellent problem solving, communication, and project management skills.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs unassisted and 60 lbs with assistance.

Responsibilities

• Strategically identify and develop critical thin film processes and new applications.
• Lead R&D efforts in thin film deposition and develop white papers.
• Present results at conferences (SVC, MRS, AVS).
• Develop and implement new practices to improve deposition efficiency and material use.
• Resolve customer process problems and provide technical support.
• Collaborate with customers and KDF personnel to solve PVD issues.
• Support customers during Source Inspection and Factory Acceptance tests.
• Use characterization equipment to understand film uniformity and performance.
• Maintain in-house demo tools and metrology equipment; document results.

Skills

PVD troubleshooting

Experimental design

Data analysis

Technical communication

MS Office

Travel availability

Safety awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Material Science or Engineering

PhD beneficial

Tools

Vacuum equipment operation

Sputtering systems

Profilometer

Ellipsometer

Reflectometer

RGA

Job description

KDF Technologies is a leading manufacturer of PVD (physical vapor deposition) capital equipment to the microelectronics, medical, thin film circuits, and semiconductor markets. Located in Northern NJ, we serve a variety of industries and companies from startups to Fortune 500 organizations. If this sounds exciting to you, apply to be an Application Engineer to be part of something special!

Summary

Your role will be to strategically identify and develop critical thin film processes and new applications to strengthen KDF's leading position as a PVD expert and solution provider. You will lead our Research and Development efforts in thin film deposition, develop white papers, and present your results at conferences such as SVC, MRS, and AVS.

How you will make a difference

• Designing and conducting complex experiments to develop innovative processes
• Developing white papers on key technologies and processes
• Presenting at conferences such as SVC, MRS, and AVS
• Developing and driving the implementation of new practices or methodologies to improve deposition recipe efficiency and target material usage
• Resolving product support and customer process problems as necessary
• Interacting and working effectively with customers and KDF personnel to solve PVD process issues
• Supporting customers during Source Inspection and Factory Acceptance tests
• Using characterization equipment to understand film uniformity and performance and collaborating with Test & Engineering groups to drive process and tool design improvements
• Utilizing and maintaining in‑house demo tools and metrology equipment
• Keeping detailed notes on experiments and tests and saving the test results digitally
• Following company policies and procedures
• Other duties as assigned
• Motivated and self‑directed (90% of the time)

Qualifications

• At least a B.S. degree in Material Science or Engineering; Ph.D. would be a plus
• At least 2 years of experience
• Working knowledge of Vacuum Technology and Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) techniques like sputtering
• Working knowledge of in‑house thin film metrology tools (profilometer, ellipsometer, reflectometer, RGA, etc.)
• Proficient in running experiments, analyzing data, and generating test reports
• Strong problem‑solving, communication, interpersonal, and project management skills
• Ability to work in an organized and efficient manner
• Ability to work safely around high voltage equipment
• English language skills
• Proficient with MS Office suite
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally
• Ability to bend, stoop, squat, twist, and lift up to and including 30 lbs unassisted. Assistance must be used for any items over this weight. Assistance is always required for anything weighing over 60 lbs

Benefits we offer to enhance your lifestyle

• Company‑paid medical and dental insurance
• 401k plan
• Paid vacations
• Sick time
• Salary is dependent on experience

KDF Technologies, LLC is a limited liability company. KDF Technologies, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within this range, individual pay is influenced by various factors, including job‑related skills, experience, qualifications, work location, etc. The compensation range for this role is $70,000 to $130,000 per year.