Senior Materials and Failure Analysis Technician (SIMS)

Coherent Corp.; Sherman (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Coherent Corp. Sherman is seeking a skilled Laboratory Specialist to support the SIMS laboratory, including startup, qualification, and SOP development.

You will handle sample preparation, mounting, tool setup, and data collection with emphasis on quality, efficiency and on-time delivery. The role involves operating SIMS instrumentation, performing advanced materials characterization and assisting with failure analyses, while producing technical reports and collaborating with multiple teams to

Qualifications

• Experience operating analytical laboratory equipment in semiconductor, materials characterization or failure analysis environments.
• Experience with SIMS or TOF-SIMS analysis preferred.
• Experience with semiconductor wafer handling, sample preparation and wafer cleaving techniques.
• Experience with optical microscopy, SEM, FIB, probe stations, FTIR or similar analytical equipment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support SIMS laboratory operations including startup, qualification and SOP development.
• Perform SIMS workflow activities: sample prep, mounting, tool setup, recipe execution, data collection and preliminary analysis.
• Operate SIMS instrumentation and maintain data quality and safety standards.
• Conduct advanced materials characterization and failure analysis using SIMS, microscopy and related equipment.
• Prepare technical reports, data summaries and presentations of analytical results.

Skills

SIMS operation

Sample preparation

Laboratory safety

Data analysis

Technical writing

Chemistry & materials science

Independent work

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Engineering Technology or related technical discipline

Associate degree with 4 years related experience

Six years related laboratory or failure analysis experience

Tools

SIMS/TOF-SIMS instrumentation

Optical microscopy

SEM/FIB

Probe stations

FTIR

Job description

Job Description

• Support the Materials and Failure Analysis Engineer in establishing and operating Coherent Sherman's SIMS laboratory, including laboratory startup, equipment qualification and development of operating procedures.
• Perform SIMS workflow activities including sample preparation, wafer cleaving, sample mounting, tool setup, recipe execution, data collection and preliminary data analysis with an emphasis on quality, efficiency and on-time delivery.
• Operate SIMS instrumentation and supporting laboratory equipment in accordance with approved procedures while maintaining high standards of data quality, equipment care and laboratory safety.
• Perform advanced materials characterization and failure analysis on semiconductor, photonic and optoelectronic devices using SIMS, optical microscopy, SEM, FIB, probe stations, FTIR and other laboratory equipment as required.
• Support failure analysis investigations by preparing samples, collecting data, documenting observations and assisting engineers with root‑cause analysis.
• Prepare technical reports, data summaries and presentations documenting analytical results with minimal supervision and correction required.
• Perform routine equipment checks, calibrations, housekeeping activities and preventive maintenance tasks to maximize tool availability, data quality and laboratory efficiency.
• Work closely with the Principal Engineer, Equipment Engineering and Facilities teams to support SIMS tool maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs, upgrades and performance improvement initiatives.
• Assist with installation, qualification, acceptance testing and startup activities for SIMS instrumentation and supporting laboratory infrastructure.
• Maintain laboratory consumables, chemicals, cryogenic supplies, spare parts inventories and operational documentation.
• Identify opportunities to improve laboratory efficiency, analytical quality, throughput and customer responsiveness.
• Write and maintain work instructions, standard operating procedures, laboratory documentation and training materials under the direction of laboratory leadership.
• Train and mentor technicians and engineers on laboratory procedures, equipment operation, sample preparation techniques and safety practices.
• Establish productive working relationships with engineers, manufacturing personnel, quality organizations, Equipment Engineering and internal customers.

Education & Experience

• Six (6) years of related laboratory, semiconductor manufacturing, materials characterization, metrology or failure analysis experience; OR
• Associate degree or technical degree with four (4) years of related experience; OR
• Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Engineering Technology or related technical discipline.

Skills

• Experience operating analytical laboratory equipment in semiconductor, materials characterization or failure analysis environments.
• Experience with SIMS or TOF‑SIMS analysis preferred.
• Experience with semiconductor wafer handling, sample preparation, wafer cleaving and laboratory sample preparation techniques.
• Experience with optical microscopy, SEM, FIB, probe stations, FTIR or similar analytical equipment preferred.
• Proficient understanding of chemistry, materials science and semiconductor device fundamentals.
• Ability to safely handle chemicals and cryogenic materials, including liquid nitrogen.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and preparation of technical reports and presentations.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision while maintaining high‑quality work output.
• Strong analytical, organizational, presentation, technical writing and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Time‑management skills to efficiently organize work assignments, set estimated completion dates and meet or exceed those commitments.

Working Conditions

• Work in a class 10,000 clean room for extended periods.
• Work in a laboratory environment maintained at approximately 60°F (15°C) with tightly controlled temperature and low‑humidity conditions required for SIMS instrumentation performance.
• Wear ESD attire (shoes, frocks, wrist straps, etc.).
• Work with and around chemicals such as IPA, acetone and laboratory process chemicals.
• Work with cryogenic materials including liquid nitrogen.
• Participate in team meetings and support activities that may occasionally occur outside normal working hours.

Physical Requirements

• Work in a laboratory environment with controlled temperature and humidity conditions, including extended exposure to temperatures maintained at approximately 60°F.
• Ability to safely handle and transfer liquid nitrogen, including pouring liquid nitrogen into approved containers and analytical equipment while wearing required personal protective equipment.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to prepare analytical samples, including wafer cleaving, mounting, handling small specimens and loading samples into characterization equipment.
• Maintain close visual acuity to perform activities such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, focusing microscopic images and using measurement devices.
• Have the visual acuity to distinguish colors to identify defects on parts.
• Ability to communicate spoken instructions in English accurately, loudly or quickly as required.
• Ability to discern sounds at normal speaking levels with or without corrective lenses.
• Be able to review and investigate using a microscope, which requires bending forward at the waist or spine, up to 1 hour at a time.
• Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting and standing up to 4 hours at a time to use a workstation, microscope or solvent hood.
• Be able to walk considerable distances in the facility, sometimes with shoe covers, up to 500 meters to reach other areas of the factory.
• Light work that includes moving objects up to 25 lb over short distances.
• Ascend and descend step stairs and ladders.
• Occasionally kneel or crouch to reach objects below workstations, requiring bending the legs and resting on the knees.
• Precision positioning of manual probes using left and right hands and arms for up to 1 hour at a time.
• Wear cleanroom attire for up to 4 hours at a time.

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to attend scheduled training, follow the site EHS procedures and corporate EHS standards, including the use of proper protective equipment (PPE) as required by the job responsibilities.

• Nitrile gloves for handling IPA, acetone and wafers or any other parts submitted for analysis.
• Laser safety glasses for testing high‑power laser parts.
• Safety glasses and goggles (prescription or standard) to be used when handling die punch tools, pouring liquid nitrogen and cleaning with chemicals.
• Thermal gloves for handling liquid nitrogen.
• Sharps gloves for handling sharp parts.
• Face shield for handling liquid nitrogen or cleaning parts with chemicals.
• Apron and chemical gloves for pouring chemicals.

Quality And Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles 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 industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment and consumer markets.

Note to Recruiters and Employment Agencies

We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and required assistance in writing for a specific opening.