Senior Defects Engineer: Process & Knowledge Base Lead

Applied Materials, Inc.; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 124,000 - 171,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Materials, Inc. is seeking a Process Engineer III, Defects Technologist in Santa Clara to lead defect analysis and troubleshooting across semiconductor and display manufacturing processes.

You will collect data, perform hardware characterization, and generate technical documentation while collaborating with customers and cross-functional teams. The role emphasizes expanding the DefectRx framework, root-cause identification, and knowledge base development with field engineers and SMEs to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a materials science, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, chemistry, or related field.
• 4–7 years of semiconductor industry experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in defect troubleshooting methodologies for semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Support AGS service product development for defects and Zero Defect CoE defect knowledge base development, with a primary focus on defect analysis, troubleshooting, and reduction methodologies.
• Design and implement defect knowledge base frameworks, including root cause identification, failure analysis, and solution development.
• Develop DefectRx data collection strategies and failure analysis plans in collaboration with SMEs, aligned with program goals and objectives.
• Review and validate defect data analysis conducted by field engineers; ensure data integrity and verify DES auto-classification accuracy.
• Partner with field engineers to identify defect root causes using the DefectExpert System; collaborate with cross-functional SMEs when knowledge gaps exist.

Skills

Semiconductor experience

Defect troubleshooting

Analytical problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Chemical Eng, Electrical Eng, Physics, Chemistry or related field

Tools

SEM

FIB

TEM

AFM

EDX

XPS

Auger

XRD

XRF

Raman

FTIR

RGA

OES

Job description

Applied Materials, Inc. is seeking a Process Engineer III, Defects Technologist in Santa Clara to lead defect analysis and troubleshooting across semiconductor and display manufacturing processes.

You will collect data, perform hardware characterization, and generate technical documentation while collaborating with customers and cross-functional teams. The role emphasizes expanding the DefectRx framework, root-cause identification, and knowledge base development with field engineers and SMEs to