Defect/Metrology Engineer

Ao Inc; Sugar Land (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Ao Inc. is seeking a semiconductor Defect/Metrology Engineer to fabricate compound semiconductor lasers on InP wafers in a cleanroom, ensuring production tools run with maximum uptime and analyzing process data with SPC charts to drive quality improvements.

The role covers tool qualification, vendor coordination, and participating in improvement projects, with hands-on metrology and defect analysis across production lines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or related discipline is required.
• Minimum 1-year experience in the laboratory environment is required.
• Robust analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Detail-oriented; committed to quality and safety.
• Self-sufficient learner, work well in the fast-paced work environment.
• Comfortable to work under cleanroom hood and PPE and handle chemicals with PPE.

Responsibilities

• Maintain production line to reduce downtime.
• Improve production process by analyzing correlations between defects and process.
• Establish or analyze SPC, process yield, and tool performance/uptime metrics.
• Generate SOPs, work orders, drawings, 5S documentation, and other production-line documents.
• Analyze equipment and production data to identify improvement opportunities.
• Analyze and compile experimental data into reports for process improvement projects.
• Maintain and calibrate production tools including microscopes, SEM, AFM, etc.
• Verify process conformance using inspection tools such as optical microscopes, profilometers, ellipsometers, SEM, AFM, wafer inspection tools.
• Perform failure analysis, defect analysis, and metrology analysis.
• Overtime might be required during ramp-up or line setup activities.
• Respond to line requests for wafer disposition, maintain workflow, and address tool issues to resume production quickly.
• Be on-call after-hours and weekends for issues affecting the production line; willing to work overtime for urgent projects.

Skills

Analysis

Problem solving

Detail oriented

Self-sufficient learner

Cleanroom work

Safety awareness

Chemical handling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics

Tools

SEM

AFM

Profilometers

Ellipsometers

Wafer inspection tools

Job description

Summary

We are seeking a semiconductor Defect/Metrology Engineer. The engineer will primarily be responsible for fabricating compound semiconductor lasers on InP wafers inside a cleanroom environment, ensuring that production line tools have maximized uptime, analyzing process data such as SPC charts, and addressing issues when necessary. At times, the engineer may also need to participate in the improvement projects and new tool qualification (vendor contact, tool evaluation, installation, Factory Acceptance Test, qualification, etc.).

Job Duties

Production

1. Maintain production line to reduce/eliminate downtime.
2. Improve production process by performing correlation between defect analysis and process.
3. Establish or analyze Statistical Process Control (SPC), process yield, and measure tool performance/uptime metrics.
4. Generate Standard Operating Procedures, work order instructions, drawings, 5S documentation, and other production-line-related documentations.
5. Analyze equipment and production data to identify improvement opportunities.
6. Analyze and compile experimental data into reports for process improvement projects.
7. Responsible for the maintenance and calibration of production tools, including microscopes, SEM, AFM, etc.
8. Verify process conformance to the controls and specifications by utilizing inspection tools, such as optical microscopes, profilometers, ellipsometers, SEM, AFM, wafer inspection tools, etc..
9. Perform required and assigned tasks, such as failure analysis, defect analysis, and metrology analysis.
10. Overtime might be required during ramp-up or line setup activities.
11. Promptly respond to the production line requests of wafer disposition, maintain work flow, handle tool issues to resume production in a timely manner.
12. Ability to be on-call after-hours and weekends for issues affecting the production line, and ability to work overtime for rush/urgent projects

Qualifications

Required

1. Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Material Science, Physics, or related discipline is required
2. Minimum 1-year experience in the laboratory environment is required
3. Robust analysis and problem-solving skills
4. Detail-oriented; committed to quality and safety
5. Self-sufficient learner, work well in the fast-paced work environment
6. Comfortable to work under cleanroom hood and without any make-up
7. Comfortable occasionally handling chemicals, including corrosive acids, bases, and solvents with Personal Protective Equipment

Preferred

1. 4+ years of experience in the compound semiconductor process is desired
2. Understanding of Lean Manufacturing and process validation concepts (Cpk, GR&R).
3. Knowledge and/or hands-on experience of Six Sigma is a plus

Physical Demands and Work Environment

1. While performing the duties of this job, the associate may need the ability to lift and carry loads up to 20 pounds, stand and or walk for 10+ hrs. daily and climb stairs.
2. Subject to noise, vibration, and odors.
3. Subject to hazards. Includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, or exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals.