Senior Software Applications Engineer (AI/ML)

PDF Solutions, Inc.; Milpitas (CA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

PDF Solutions, Inc. in Milpitas, CA, seeks a Senior Applications Engineer to advance ML/AI solutions for the semiconductor industry. You will design and deploy robust software for defect classification, data analysis, and model development.

You will collaborate with hardware and software teams, optimize ML pipelines, and drive scalable data-driven insights from large defect datasets using Python and modern DL frameworks.

Qualifications

• Degree in CS/EE/Materials Science or related field.
• Proficiency in Python and DL frameworks for CV tasks (CNNs, Transformers).
• Experience handling large datasets and data preprocessing (Pandas/NumPy/SQL).
• Familiarity with semiconductor manufacturing or inspection metrology preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement ML/AI algorithms for defect classification in semiconductor inspection tools.
• Analyze large defect datasets to identify patterns, trends and anomalies.
• Train, validate, and deploy defect classification models with performance targets.
• Improve accuracy and efficiency of the defect classification system through optimization.

Skills

ML/AI expertise

Python

Data analysis

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in CS/EE/Materials Science

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Pandas

NumPy

SQL

Job description

Overview

Role Summary

We are seeking a Senior Applications Engineer to join our team, focusing on the development of cutting-edge machine learning and artificial intelligence solutions for the semiconductor industry. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in creating robust and scalable software, with a strong background in data analysis, machine learning, and containerization technologies.

Responsibilities

• Design and Implement ML/AI Algorithms: Help develop and implement advanced machine learning and AI-based algorithms for the automatic classification of defects in semiconductor inspection tools.
• Data Analysis: Analyze large volumes of defect data to identify critical patterns, trends, and anomalies, using this analysis to inform model development.
• Training and Model Development: Train, validate, and deploy defect classification models, ensuring they meet strict performance and accuracy requirements.
• System Optimization: Continuously improves the accuracy, efficiency, and reliability of the defect classification system through iterative development and optimization.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical field.
• Machine Learning Expertise: Proficiency in Python and deep learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch specifically for computer vision tasks (CNNs, Transformers).
• Semiconductor Knowledge: Familiarity with semiconductor manufacturing processes or inspection metrology is highly preferred.
• Data Proficiency: Experience handling large datasets and using tools like Pandas, NumPy and SQL for data preprocessing and feature engineering.
• Problem Solving: Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate complex manufacturing defects into actionable data models, data ingestion, analysis, and visualization.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with Mismatched Data or Active Learning techniques to handle rare defect types.
• Knowledge of ML Ops tools (ML Flow, zen Flow etc.) for model deployment and monitoring in a production environment.
• Excellent communication skills to collaborate with cross-functional hardware and software teams.

Pay Range

USD $130,000.00 - USD $180,000.00 /Yr.