Applications Scientist

Bruker Daltonics; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

Bruker Daltonics is seeking a Software-Focused Applications Scientist to bridge advanced X-ray hardware/software systems with customer teams. You will deliver high-level software applications support, evaluate algorithms, and tailor workflows for site-specific inspection challenges.

The role requires strong Windows/Linux troubleshooting, data analytics, and collaboration with R&D and product teams. Travel up to 30% is expected in support of deployments and customer success.

Qualifications

• Education: B.Sc., Master’s or higher in Physics, Materials Science, or related field.
• Experience with data analysis, algorithm evaluation, or software scripting in a technical or semiconductor setting.
• Hands-on experience with material characterization or metrology techniques (X-ray preferred).
• Strong troubleshooting in Windows/Linux environments.
• Understanding of crystallography or thin-film electronics is a plus.
• Data literacy: statistics and reconciling results from different measurement methods.
• Excellent written and oral English technical communication; travel up to ~30% possible.
• Korean or Chinese fluency is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level applications and training support to customers.
• Offer software workflow optimization and hands-on troubleshooting.
• Analyze customer metrology needs and build tailored software setups and automation workflows.
• Collaborate with R&D, software engineering, and product management to qualify features.
• Assist in tool qualification and post-installation specialist user support.
• Act as VoC liaison to guide future software releases.
• Document technical guidelines and deployment best practices.

Skills

Data analysis

Algorithm evaluation

Software scripting

Metrology experience

Windows troubleshooting

Linux troubleshooting

Crystallography basics

Data literacy

English communication

Korean/Chinese helpful

Education

B.Sc./M.Sc. in Physics or Materials Science

Tools

XRD

HRXRD

XRDI

XRR

XRF

XCD

Job description

As one of the world's leading analytical instrumentation companies, Bruker covers a broad spectrum of advanced solutions in all fields of research and development. All our systems and instruments are designed to improve safety of products, to accelerate time-to-market, and to support industries in successfully enhancing quality of life. We have been driving innovation in analytical instrumentation for over 50 years now. Today, more than 11,000 employees distributed across 90 locations around the world continue to delight our customers with innovative solutions.

Bruker Nano, one of Bruker's four operating segments, provides customers in academic and governmental institutions, life science, materials, and applied industries with the tools to determine the characteristics of matter and visualize the structure of molecules. Divisions within BNANO include Bruker AXS, Bruker Nano Analytics, Bruker Nano Surfaces and Metrology, Fluorescence Microscopy, and Canopy.

Bruker's Semiconductor (BSEMI) Division is the leader in advanced X-ray metrology for the silicon and compound semiconductor industries. We offer a comprehensive portfolio of tools including XRD, HRXRD, XRDI, XRR, XRF, and XCD.

We are seeking a Software-Focused Applications Scientist to join our team. In this role, you will bridge the gap between our advanced X-ray hardware/software systems and our customer FA Bs. You will focus heavily on software applications support, algorithm evaluation, customer issue resolution, and feature feedback, ensuring our inspection and metrology software delivers robust, precise solutions for complex semiconductor manufacturing needs.

Responsibilities

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

• Applications Support: Provide high-level applications support , including training to customers and product demonstrations
• Software Support: Provide high-level technical and software support to customers through software workflow optimization and hands-on troubleshooting.
• Customer Problem Solving: Analyze customer process metrology requirements and build tailored software parameter setups, recipes, and automation workflows to solve site-specific inspection challenges.
• Algorithm & Software Validation: Collaborate with core R&D, software engineering, and product management teams to qualify new software features, data processing algorithms, and bug fixes before field deployment.
• Pre & Post-Sale Execution: Assist in source inspection of tools prior to shipment, configure tool/software environments, and deliver post-installation specialist user support.
• Voice of Customer ( VoC ): Act as the technical liaison between field customers and software development teams, gathering bug reports, usability feedback, and feature requests to guide future software releases.
• Best Known Methods (BKMs): Develop, document, and disseminate technical documentation, software deployment guidelines, and BKMs for sales, field engineers, and end customers.

Qualifications

EDUCATIONAL/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Education: B.Sc., Master 's, or higher in Physics, Materials Science, or related technical field.
• Software & Metrology Experience: Experience with data analysis, algorithm evaluation, or software scripting/development in a technical, scientific, or semiconductor setting.
• Hands-on experience with material characterization or metrology techniques (X-ray techniques preferred, but signal/image processing or optical metrology experience is highly relevant).
• Strong background in software troubleshooting under Windows/Linux environments.
• Domain Knowledge: Understanding of basic crystallography/crystal structures or thin-film electronic layers is an advantage.
• Data Literacy: Solid grounding in statistics, data processing, and result reconciliation between different measurement methods.
• Communication: Excellent written and oral English technical communication skills (presenting technical data, describing software issues clearly, collaborating with overseas R&D).
• Korean, Chinese fluency is a plus

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Software-Oriented Problem Solver: Strong analytical mindset with a passion for software-driven troubleshooting, debugging setups, and optimizing user workflows.
• Customer Support Mindset: Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-experts and maintain a calm, proactive approach under tight customer deadlines.
• Cross-Functional Teamwork: Comfortable serving as the bridge between software development engineers, product managers, and customer end-users.
• Self-Starter & Resourceful: Able to work independently to resolve cross-disciplinary issues and take initiative on rapid customer feasibility tests.
• Travel Flexibility: Willingness to travel domestically and internationally (up to ~30%) for on-site customer support, tool qualification, and software rollouts.

At Bruker, base salary is part of our total compensation. The estimated base salary range for this full-time position is between $79,650 and $125,500 and provides an opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base salary for the role will depend on several job-related factors, including, but not limited to, education, training, experience, the geographic location of the successful candidate, skills, competencies, job-related knowledge and travel requirements for this position. Full-time employees may also be eligible for a performance-related incentive in addition to a full range of benefits including 401(k) with company match, an employee stock purchase plan, medical and dental plans, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, employee assistance program and paid time off including vacation, sick time and holidays, and more.

Bruker is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.