Facet Inspection Process Engineer

Coherent Corp.; Sherman (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Coherent Corp. in Texas seeks a Process Engineer for AOI in semiconductor laser facet inspection. You will monitor defect-detection performance, develop and optimize AOI recipes, and drive improvements using SPC/DOE to reduce scrap and defect escapes.

Responsibilities include correlating AOI data with microscopy and reliability tests, supporting new product introductions, and training technicians while collaborating with Operations, Equipment Engineering, Design, Quality, and Failure Analysis.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related engineering or science field with 2+ years of relevant experience in semiconductor/optics/manufacturing.
• Experience with AOI, machine vision, image acquisition, inspection thresholds, and defect classification.
• Strong statistical methods knowledge (SPC, DOE, MSA, gauge R&R) and data-driven problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Monitor AOI process performance using SPC, inspection yield, defect pareto, false-call/escape metrics, and equipment health indicators.
• Develop, optimize, and release AOI recipes for laser facet inspection including lighting, focus, regions, thresholds, and algorithms.
• Correlate AOI results with microscopy, reliability tests, and failure analysis to validate inspection effectiveness.
• Plan and execute experiments, gauge studies, and capability analyses to improve defect detection and discrimination.
• Trains technicians on AOI methods, defect classification, and change-control procedures.

Skills

AOI & machine vision

Statistical analysis

Root-cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

MS Office

SQL/Python

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Optics/Photonics, Computer Engineering or related field

Tools

JMP

SQL/Python

AOI software

Image analysis tools

Manufacturing data systems

Job description

Job Description

• Monitors AOI process performance using SPC, inspection yield, defect pareto, false-call/escape metrics, and equipment health indicators; maintains process control and responds to excursions.
• Maintains facet inspection stepwise yield and investigates defect excursions, nuisance defects, false rejects, and defect escapes; develops and implements corrective and preventive actions.
• Develops, characterizes, optimizes, and releases AOI recipes for semiconductor laser facet inspection, including lighting, focus, image acquisition, inspection regions, thresholds, algorithms, and defect classification criteria.
• Develops and maintains control plans, OCAPs, inspection specifications, defect libraries, golden samples, acceptance criteria, and recipe change-control documentation.
• Plans and executes engineering experiments, gauge studies, correlation studies, and capability analyses to improve defect detection sensitivity, repeatability, reproducibility, and discrimination between true defects and cosmetic variation.
• Correlates AOI results with manual microscope inspection, downstream electrical/optical test, reliability results, and failure analysis to validate inspection effectiveness and reduce risk of defect escapes.
• Drives continuous improvement activities to reduce scrap and reinspection, improve process capability and throughput, reduce cycle time and cost, and increase automated disposition where technically justified.
• Partners with Equipment Engineering and AOI suppliers to troubleshoot image quality, motion, optics, illumination, software, recipe, and hardware issues and to support qualification of equipment upgrades or new inspection capability.
• Supports new product introduction and process changes by defining inspection requirements, establishing baseline defect signatures, qualifying recipes, and completing process readiness documentation.
• Trains Process Technicians, Operators, and Engineers on facet inspection methods, AOI recipes, defect classification, reaction plans, and proper handling of inspected material.
• Collaborates with Operations, Equipment Engineering, Process Integration, Design, Quality, Reliability, Failure Analysis, and Supply Chain to achieve business unit and organizational objectives.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Monitors AOI process performance using SPC, inspection yield, defect pareto, false-call/escape metrics, and equipment health indicators; maintains process control and responds to excursions.
• Maintains facet inspection stepwise yield and investigates defect excursions, nuisance defects, false rejects, and defect escapes; develops and implements corrective and preventive actions.
• Develops, characterizes, optimizes, and releases AOI recipes for semiconductor laser facet inspection, including lighting, focus, image acquisition, inspection regions, thresholds, algorithms, and defect classification criteria.
• Develops and maintains control plans, OCAPs, inspection specifications, defect libraries, golden samples, acceptance criteria, and recipe change-control documentation.
• Plans and executes engineering experiments, gauge studies, correlation studies, and capability analyses to improve defect detection sensitivity, repeatability, reproducibility, and discrimination between true defects and cosmetic variation.
• Correlates AOI results with manual microscope inspection, downstream electrical/optical test, reliability results, and failure analysis to validate inspection effectiveness and reduce risk of defect escapes.
• Drives continuous improvement activities to reduce scrap and reinspection, improve process capability and throughput, reduce cycle time and cost, and increase automated disposition where technically justified.
• Partners with Equipment Engineering and AOI suppliers to troubleshoot image quality, motion, optics, illumination, software, recipe, and hardware issues and to support qualification of equipment upgrades or new inspection capability.
• Supports new product introduction and process changes by defining inspection requirements, establishing baseline defect signatures, qualifying recipes, and completing process readiness documentation.
• Trains Process Technicians, Operators, and Engineers on facet inspection methods, AOI recipes, defect classification, reaction plans, and proper handling of inspected material.
• Collaborates with Operations, Equipment Engineering, Process Integration, Design, Quality, Reliability, Failure Analysis, and Supply Chain to achieve business unit and organizational objectives.

Education & Experience

Required Minimum Education: 4 year college degree (Bachelor or Equivalent)

Expected Minimum Years of Related Experience: 2+ years

A bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Optics/Photonics, Computer Engineering, or a closely related science or engineering major and at least 2 years of relevant experience in semiconductor, optoelectronics, precision inspection, machine vision, or automated manufacturing; or a Master or PhD degree in a related field without industry experience.

Experience with semiconductor laser devices, GaAs/InP processing, optical microscopy, machine vision, or automated optical inspection is preferred.

Skills

• Working knowledge of semiconductor wafer/device processing, engineering practices, and manufacturing process control.
• Knowledge of automated optical inspection (AOI), machine vision, optical microscopy, image acquisition, lighting, focus, and defect detection concepts.
• Ability to develop and optimize inspection recipes, thresholds, regions of interest, defect classifiers, and acceptance criteria for high-volume manufacturing.
• Knowledge of engineering statistics including SPC, DOE, process capability, measurement system analysis, gauge R&R, correlation, and hypothesis testing.
• Ability to analyze inspection images and large defect datasets, build paretos and trend analyses, and distinguish true process defects from inspection artifacts or nuisance calls.
• Experience with semiconductor laser facets, cleaved/coated optical surfaces, GaAs/InP devices, or optoelectronic manufacturing is preferred.
• Strong structured problem-solving skills and ability to lead root-cause analysis and corrective actions across process, equipment, material, and inspection contributors.
• Good written and oral communication skills, including clear technical documentation and cross-functional communication.
• Fluency in MS Office suite and JMP or other statistical analysis software; experience with AOI software, image analysis tools, SQL/Python, or manufacturing data systems is a plus.

Working Conditions

• Work in a class 100/1000 clean room for extended periods as required by manufacturing support activities.
• Wear full cleanroom attire (smock, mask, gloves, etc.) and follow material-handling requirements for semiconductor devices.
• Work with and/or around manufacturing equipment, optical inspection systems, illumination sources, and chemicals used in semiconductor processing in accordance with site EHS procedures.

Physical Requirements

• Stand for up to 4 hours at a time
• Lift up to 16-30 Pounds
• Push/Pull up to 16-30 pounds
• Sit for up to 4 hours at a time

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality And Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome

Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [e-mail].

About Us

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!