Senior Epi Equipment Technician

COHERENT; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

Coherent Corp. in Fremont, CA, seeks a Maintenance Technician for InP-based MOCVD Aixtron growth systems. You will perform routine maintenance, chamber cleans, and troubleshooting to keep production on track.

You will train peers, handle gas cylinder changes, abatement column changes, and support safety procedures while maintaining thorough documentation and process compliance.

Qualifications

• AA degree with 6-10 years experience.
• SCBA certification and experience with carrying out maintenance procedures while under supplied air.
• 2 years minimum hands-on experience with maintenance and repair of complex automated semiconductor process equipment.
• 2 years minimum hands-on experience with vacuum equipment maintenance, troubleshooting and repair.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute scheduled maintenance procedures with process engineering.
• Log and track machine parameters to detect incipient failures or deviations from normal operation.
• Participate in maintenance events including gas cylinder changes, abatement column changes, process piping and plumbing requiring supplied air respirators such as SCBA.
• Troubleshoot: Diagnose and resolve equipment or process-related issues to minimize downtime and ensure continuous production.
• Collaborate with facilities and Epi process engineering for safe operation of MOCVD equipment.
• Document procedures, train and certify on maintenance procedures and parts inventory.
• Belong to site Emergency Response Team.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Systematic work

Hands-on attitude

Communication and documentation

Team player

Hazmat certification

Education

AA degree

SCBA certification

Job description

About Indium Phosphide (InP) Technology

The world’s communications infrastructure depends on semiconductor lasers, and particularly those based on indium phosphide technology. Indium phosphide lasers are engineered to emit at wavelengths that are optimal for long-distance transmission through fiber optics. In short, they enable the optical networks that form the global internet.

Coherent’s broad portfolio of InP components includes application-specific Fabry-Pérot lasers, directly modulated lasers (DMLs), and tunable lasers. It also includes photodiodes for high-speed receivers and power monitoring. In 2022, we introduced 200 Gbps indium phosphide electro-absorption modulated lasers (EMLs) for high-speed datacenter transceivers. This design provides our customers with the most advanced, robust, and cost-competitive laser devices for their 800G and next-gen 1.6T datacom transceiver designs.

Our world-class and highly reliable InP technology platform is one of the very few in the industry that has been proven, with more than one hundred million lasers in the field deployed over the last decades.

The position is for support and maintenance of Aixtron G4 MOCVD reactors running InP and GaAs processes. The maintenance technician carries out routine maintenance of the reactors and all support systems, including chemical source changes, vacuum system maintenance, robotic wafer handler maintenance, chamber cleans, exhaust abatement system maintenance, troubleshooting and repair of subsystem faults. Additionally, training of other equipment technicians in these routine tasks is required.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

The position involves supporting the MOCVD equipment engineer involving maintenance of InP-based MOCVD Aixtron growth systems. Particular emphasis is placed on following precise maintenance procedures for safe and effective repair. The technician should assume flexibility in working hours in order to ensure full communication and process compliance in support of on-shift-based technical and operations-based personnel.

• Interaction with process engineering teams to plan and execute scheduled maintenance procedures as well as helping develop new procedures for unexpected or new failure modes.

• Logging and tracking of machine parameters in order to detect incipient failures or deviations from normal operation

• Participate in maintenance events, including work on gas cylinder changes, abatement column changes, process piping and plumbing requiring supplied air respirators such as SCBA and supplied air-line breathing apparatus

• Troubleshooting: Diagnose and resolve equipment or process-related issues to minimize downtime and ensure continuous production.

• Collaboration: Work closely with facilities and Epi process engineering to ensure safe and effective operation of MOCVD equipment

• Documentation: train and certify on documented procedures including routine maintenance procedures, spare parts inventory, and other equipment support functions.

• Belong to site Emergency Response Team

Education & Experience

• AA degree with 6-10 years experience

• SCBA certification and experience with carrying out maintenance procedures while under supplied air

• 2 years minimum hands‑on experience with maintenance and repair of complex automated semiconductor process equipment

• 2 years minimum hands‑on experience with vacuum equipment maintenance, troubleshooting and repair

Skills

• Strong mechanical aptitude

• Work in a systematic and organized way

• Hands‑on, roll up sleeves attitude

• Clear and efficient communication and documentation skills

• Team player

• Certified or able to obtain Hazmat Technician certification

Working Conditions

• 5 days/week, 8 hour weekday work schedule

• Must be able to function in a fast‑paced environment, carrying out multiple projects at a time.

Physical Requirements

• Able to work effectively in cramped conditions while wearing PPE including supplied-air breathing apparatus

• Able to maneuver and safely handle heavy equipment

• Able to pass yearly physical and SCBA respirator mask fit test for respiratory safety

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

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

I ntegrity – Create an Environment of Trust

C ollaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

A ccountability – Own the Process and the Outcome

R espect – Recognize the Value in Everyone

E nthusiasm – 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!

Pay Scale: $34.06 - $45.99 per hour