Senior Equipment Engineer, Equipment Engineering (AWS)

Amazon; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 137,000 - 186,000; Full time

Job summary

Amazon Development Center U.S., Inc. is seeking a Semiconductor Senior Equipment Engineer in Pasadena, CA to develop, sustain, and optimize advanced semiconductor R&D equipment with our Equipment Engineering team and supplier partners.

You will lead cross-functional efforts with process development, supply chain, test engineering, and product management to prototype, qualify, and improve tools used in cutting-edge semiconductor research, ensuring reliability and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Experience with the project management of technical projects
• AS/BS in mechanical, electrical, etc.; 10 years in semiconductor industry or high-precision equipment
• Knowledge of cleanliness and safety standards (ISO, CE, UL, SEMI, NFPA)

Responsibilities

• Sustain semiconductor R&D operations through responding to and resolving equipment breakdowns quickly and efficiently to minimize downtime, and training on-site maintenance teams to resolve issues across other shifts.
• Be an active leader on a cross functional Equipment Engineering team while taking on improvement projects to assist in improving R&D throughput and process development cycles. Diagnose equipment failures, find root causes, and improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Develop and improve equipment validation procedures including calibration, qualification, and process of record (POR) development for semiconductor R&D tools. Support Design of Experiments (DOE) and process window characterization.
• Become expert level trainer on all semiconductor tools in the R&D environment and be responsible for the level of knowledge of R&D technicians. Provide hands‑on support to maintenance teams to troubleshoot and resolve extended downtime situations.
• Take initiative to create, implement, and improve preventative and predictive maintenance documents and schedules for semiconductor R&D process equipment.

Skills

Project management

Mentoring

Education

AS/BS in mechanical/electrical engineering

Tools

Excel

SQL

Access

SECS/GEM

Job description

Job ID: 10509123 | Amazon Development Center U.S., Inc.

Amazon CQC is looking for a highly motivated Semiconductor Senior Equipment Engineer to develop, sustain, and optimize advanced semiconductor R&D equipment and processes with our Equipment Engineering team and supplier partners.

You will be working cross functionally with process development engineering, supply chain, test engineering, product management, and R&D stakeholders. You will be a part of developing, prototyping, and qualifying some of the most advanced semiconductor process equipment in the world. The best candidate for the position has a high aptitude to learn new skillsets in the position. The expectation is that Engineers will start with strengths in a given field (Etch, Deposition, Lithography, CMP, Metrology, etc.) and then develop breadth in many other areas from those who work with them. This role requires capability across the board to enable next-generation semiconductor process development in partnership with R&D operations teams.

Key job responsibilities

• Sustain semiconductor R&D operations through responding to and resolving equipment breakdowns quickly and efficiently to minimize downtime, and training on-site maintenance teams to resolve issues across other shifts.
• Be an active leader on a cross functional Equipment Engineering team while taking on improvement projects to assist in improving R&D throughput and process development cycles. Diagnose equipment failures, find root causes, and improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). Lead equipment upgrades with a focus on serviceability, reliability, and process capability.
• Develop and improve equipment validation procedures including calibration, qualification, and process of record (POR) development for semiconductor R&D tools. Support Design of Experiments (DOE) and process window characterization.
• Become expert level trainer on all semiconductor tools in the R&D environment and be responsible for the level of knowledge of R&D technicians. Provide hands‑on support to maintenance teams to troubleshoot and resolve extended downtime situations.
• Take initiative to create, implement, and improve preventative and predictive maintenance documents and schedules for semiconductor R&D process equipment. Adapt maintenance strategies for tools running varied experimental recipes.
• Participate in spare part analysis and inventory development, cost reduction, and improvement working with Spares Department to RMA faulty components and communicate needs to OEM vendors.
• Interface with equipment communication protocols (SECS/GEM, GEM300) and work with R&D automation systems for experiment tracking, data collection, and process control. Collaborate with process engineers on recipe development and optimization.

A day in the life

• Start the day by reviewing equipment status dashboards, overnight alarms, and CMMS work orders to prioritize tasks and address any critical tool-down situations.
• Respond to equipment breakdowns on the fab floor, performing hands‑on troubleshooting of the assigned tool sets to restore tools to production quickly.
• Collaborate with process development engineers to optimize tool recipes, run split‑lot experiments, and.
• Conduct preventative and predictive maintenance activities, including scheduled calibrations, component replacements, and system health checks to maximize Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
• Participate in cross‑functional team meetings to discuss tool performance metrics, share root‑cause analyses, and align on priorities for equipment improvement projects.
• Train and mentor junior engineers on equipment operation, safety protocols, and best practices for semiconductor tool maintenance.
• Document findings, update SOPs and Work Instructions, and contribute to spare parts inventory planning and cost‑reduction initiatives.
• Support new tool installs and qualifications, coordinating with OEM vendors on site preparation, hookup, and acceptance testing milestones.

Diverse Experiences

Amazon values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn’t followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don’t let it stop you from applying.

Work/Life Balance

We value work‑life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there’s nothing we can’t achieve in the cloud.

Inclusive Team Culture

Here at AWS, it’s in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee‑led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon (gender diversity) conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.

Mentorship and Career Growth

We’re continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth’s Best Employer. That’s why you’ll find endless knowledge‑sharing, mentorship and other career‑advancing resources here to help you develop into a better‑rounded professional.

About the team

Our team is part of Amazon’s Custom Quantum Computing (CQC) organization, dedicated to pushing the boundaries of superconducting process technology. We are a collaborative group of engineers, scientists, and technicians who thrive in a fast‑paced R&D environment where innovation and hands‑on problem solving are at the core of everything we do.

We value diverse perspectives, continuous learning, and a shared commitment to operational excellence. Team members work closely with process development, supply chain, test engineering, and facilities teams to deliver innovative capabilities. Whether you’re debugging a complex tool issue on the fab floor or driving a long‑term reliability improvement project, you’ll be supported by a team that celebrates curiosity, ownership, and collaboration.

At Amazon, we are committed to an inclusive culture that empowers our people to do their best work, grow, and thrive. We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to be part of a mission that is shaping the future of quantum computing.

Basic Qualifications

• Experience with the project management of technical projects
• AS/BS in mechanical, electrical, etc.) 10 years preferably in the semiconductor industry or working with high precision equipment applications. Knowledge of equipment cleanliness and safety standards (ISO, CE, UL, SEMI, NFPA, etc.) Strong verbal and written communication as well as project management skills. Demonstrated ability to mentor junior engineers; work both independently and effectively within a team. Prior experience with providing technical guidance and project management mentorship to team members, fostering knowledge sharing, effective planning, cross‑functional collaboration

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with tools/systems to analyze data including Excel, Access, SQL or other data management systems
• Experience in identifying incomplete or inaccurate data, identifying the root cause and creating/implementing an escalation plan, or experience with process improvement, Kaizan, and Six Sigma
• Knowledge of diverse MHS, industrial mechanical and electrical systems and automation, controls and robotics systems
• Direct equipment maintenance, installation, or reliability engineering inside a high‑volume semiconductor fabrication or R&D.

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign‑on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits .

USA, CA, Pasadena - 137,300.00 - 185,700.00 USD annually

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Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.