Snr Process Engineer - Early Career (Fall 2026)

ASM; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

ASM is seeking a Senior Process Engineer in Phoenix, AZ to work on semiconductor processing and analytical equipment. You will conduct research and optimize processes focused on advanced deposition techniques. Ideal candidates are recent graduates or those graduating in Fall 2026 with relevant degrees and experience.

This position offers an opportunity to engage with cutting-edge technology in the semiconductor industry and requires strong problem-solving skills, creativity, and ability to contribute to technical publications.

Qualifications

• Graduated within the last 0-2 years or will graduate in Spring or Fall 2026.
• 0-2 years of professional work experience.
• Knowledge of thin film deposition methods.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize semiconductor processes.
• Conduct experiments and interpret results.
• Provide technical consultation and documentation.

Skills

Experience in semiconductor processing

Materials characterization

Process development

Technical communication

Data interpretation

Electrical characterization

Education

Master’s or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, or Physics

Tools

XPS

SIMS

AFM

CVD

XRD

SEM

Job description

Role overview

As a Senior Process Engineer at ASM, you will work with semiconductor processing and analytical equipment to research, develop and optimize processes focused on oxidation, annealing, curing, Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD, PEALD), Epitaxy or PECVD for logic, memory, analog, power, and MEMS applications. You will design and conduct complex experiments, measurements and perform the interpretation of complex experimental output. While you deliver creative and inventive solutions, technical publications, and generation of Intellectual Property (IP) are an essential function of this position.

Note: This role is intended for candidates who are graduating in Fall 2026 or have graduated within the past two years and have 0–2 years of professional work experience.

Responsibilities

• Creative problem solver with experience in developing new films for emerging applications and experience in chemistry/materials characterization.
• Works with semiconductor processing equipment to research, develop and optimize unit processes focused on the deposition of metal and dielectric films via ALD, PEALD, Epitaxy, and/or PECVD.
• Bringing innovative ideas, staying abreast of state-of-the-art processing applications in the semiconductor industry to be effective.
• Process consulting and accountability including technical papers on advanced process applications and Intellectual Property creation.
• Participates in and drives technical problem‑solving sessions using the related scientific method and industry tools, such as Ishikawa diagrams.
• Designs and conducts experiments, in addition to measuring and interpreting experimental output, aimed at fulfilling stated objectives using Design of Experiments (DOE) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM).
• Troubleshoots equipment problems and is personally and actively engaged in problem via “hands‑on” modalities.
• Works with customers and central marketing to understand and define requirements to successfully execute and document customer demonstrations.
• Develops methods and techniques for integrating metal and/or oxide films into existing and future device technologies.
• Ensures successful product transfer to customer base by performing demonstrations, training field service personnel, traveling to support remote sites (up to 10% travel required), and drafting documentation regarding process development, tool operation and maintenance.
• Produces technical papers on process, equipment, and device integration improvement strategies and presents to professional audience.
• You may be assigned supervisory duties over supporting process engineering technicians and aides. These supervisory duties could include direct input into employees’ performance evaluations, discipline, and discharge.

Minimum Qualifications

• We are looking for candidates who have graduated within the last 0-2 years or will graduate in Spring or Fall 2026 and are eager to begin or advance their career.
• Master’s or PhD degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, or Physics.
• 0-7+ years of combined education, research, and work experience with:
• Cure, oxidation, ALD, CVD, Epitaxy, PECVD and/or other thin film deposition.
• Materials characterization techniques such as XPS, SIMS, RBS, AFM, XRR, XRD, TEM, SEM and ellipsometry.
• Knowledge of electrical characterization techniques for CMOS devices.
• Application of dielectric and/or metal films for logic and memory structures.
• Training in CFD (computational fluid dynamics), either theoretical or practical is preferred.
• Graduating in Fall 2025 or graduated within the past two years.
• 0–2 years of professional work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to independently manage complex process development projects, including personnel, project schedules, experimental thrusts, hardware procurement and budgetary oversight.
• Ability to be a process consultant to internal and external customers.
• An authority on interplay between hardware design (e.g., chemical reactor design) and operation and process outputs.
• Understanding of requirements for integration of metals as work function materials and barrier layers in FEOL and BEOL process flows.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and completely characterize deposition processes using first principles and experimental design techniques (e.g., DOE, RSM).
• Experience with the theory, practice, and interpretation of materials characterization techniques such as XPS, SIMS, RBS, AFM, XRD, HRTEM, FESEM, Auger, Raman and ellipsometry.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with ability to clearly communicate advanced technical constructs in direct and concise manner.

ASM is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, nationality, social or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identify or expression, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.