Staff Laser Scientist

ASML US, LLC; 4S Ranch (CA); On-site; USD 144,000 - 199,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) plan

Paid holidays

Vacation leave

Job summary

ASML US, LLC seeks a Staff Laser Scientist to advance next-generation high-power EUV laser sources and DUV lasers. You’ll lead architecture, model-based analysis, and system validation across laser and related subsystems, collaborating with product teams to drive innovation.

The role requires a PhD with extensive laser physics experience, hands-on design and testing, and strong communication across engineering disciplines.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to identify system-level needs and translate into technical directions.
• Hands-on experience with laser physics, engineering and control.
• Clear communication of ideas to diverse audiences.
• Ability to lead a team and value input from others.
• Demonstrated teamwork and collaborative performance.

Responsibilities

• Guide high-level architecture definitions for laser design (discharge type, gas flow, optical design).
• Lead product pathfinding from low TRL to system-level validation.
• Create models (optical, gain, gas flow) to identify improvements.
• Maintain bi-directional requirements between lasers and other system functions.
• Define scientific learning objectives and experimental designs to advance lasers.

Skills

Results-driven

Adaptable to changing environment

Team collaboration

Strong engineering skills

Integrity

Education

PhD with 3+ years in laser physics, optics, photonics, electrical engineering or equivalent field

Job description

ASML US, LP brings together the most creative minds in science and technology to develop lithography machines that are key to producing faster, cheaper, more energy-efficient microchips. We design, develop, integrate, market and service these advanced machines, which enable our customers - the world's leading chipmakers - to reduce the size and increase the functionality of their microchips, which in turn leads to smaller, more powerful consumer electronics. Our headquarters are in Veldhoven, the Netherlands, and we have 18 office locations around the United States including main offices in Wilton, CT, Chandler, AZ, San Jose, CA and San Diego, CA.

Job Mission

We have an exciting opportunity for a Staff Laser Scientist to join a dynamic and innovative Source Research team, focused on conceiving and demonstrating the technologies required for next generations of high-power Laser Produced Plasma Extreme Ultraviolet (LPP-EUV) light sources and DUV lasers. Our light sources rely on a wide range of unique and challenging technologies, ranging from laser light amplification and high-power optical systems to laser produced plasma for EUV generation, electro-optical signal detection and algorithm-based actuation for process control. We invite you to bring your passion, knowledge, and expertise in applied physics, plasmas, metrology, optics, controls, lasers, and experiment design to advance these technologies.

Role and Responsibilities

• Guide the development of high-level architecture definitions for laser design, including discharge type, gas flow, optical design and other areas relevant to the lasers
• Lead product pathfinding at low technical readiness through to system-level validation
• Create models of the system, both optical, gain, gas flow, etc., to identify areas for improvement and innovation
• Identify and maintain bi-directional requirements between the lasers and other system functions both within Source Research as well as product teams
• Identification of key scientific learning objectives and corresponding experimental design which will further the technological progress of the lasers
• Demonstration of system-wide performance targets to meet the future technology roadmap
• Develop and execute system and subsystem performance tests, analyze test results and extract actionable knowledge from sub-module to full-system levels
• Troubleshoot laser and sub-system issues to enhance system performance
• Document learning and communicate knowledge to engineering and product development teams to guide product improvement and release of new product nodes
• Work independently and in teams to deliver on a stated objective, whether it be the pursuit of new knowledge, the demonstration of a new capability, or the characterization of existing performance
• Perform other duties as assigned or required

Education and Experience

• PhD with 3+ years (or MS degree with 6+ years) of relevant experience in laser physics, optics, photonics, electrical engineering or equivalent field
• Proven track record of identifying system-level needs and decomposing them into specific technical directions to meet those needs
• Understanding of laser physics, engineering and control
• Hands-on experience with breadboard laser and optical system design, alignment, and performance characterization
• Understanding of scientific research methods and strong scientific curiosity
• Ability to clearly communicate ideas and knowledge to various audiences
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team while valuing the input of individuals and ensuring that everyone's voice is heard
• Proven team player who communicates effectively

Skills

Working at the cutting edge of tech, you'll always have new challenges and new problems to solve - and working together is the only way to do that. You won't work in a silo. Instead, you'll be part of a creative, dynamic work environment where you'll collaborate with supportive colleagues. There is always space for creative and unique points of view. You'll have the flexibility and trust to choose how best to tackle tasks and solve problems.

To thrive in this job, you'll need the following skills:

• Results-driven with the ability to plan and prioritize
• The drive, energy and initiative to achieve continuous improvement
• Must be comfortable with a rapidly changing work environment
• Must be a person of high integrity with strong engineering skills
• Ability to build effective relationships. Possess an open, honest and collaborative style
• Must possess a detail-oriented, hands-on approach individually and within an engineering team

Other information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee routine is required to sit; walk; talk; hear; use hands to keyboard, finger, handle, and feel; stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, reach, and stretch
• The employee is occasionally required to move around the campus including working while fully gowned in a clean room environment
• The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
• The employee may be required to travel based on business needs
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus
• The environment generally is moderate in temperature and noise level
• Extended periods of time in a clean room environment should be expected
• Requires gowning in Class 10K gowning protocol
• May need to work in labs with equipment that emit high-pitched noise
• May spend extended periods of time at a computer workstation

The current base annual salary range for this role is currently:

$144,400-198,550

Pay scales are determined by role, level, location and alignment with market data. Individual pay is determined through interviews and an assessment of several factors that that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to job-related skills, relevant education and experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and pay relative to other team members.

The Company offers employees and their families, medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are able to participate in the Company's 401k plan. Employees will also receive eight (8) hours of vacation leave every month and (13) paid holidays throughout the calendar year.

All new ASML jobs have a minimum application deadline of 10 days.

This position requires access to controlled technology, as defined in the United States Export Administration Regulations (15 C.F.R. * 730, et seq.). Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to access such controlled technology prior to beginning work. Business demands may require ASML to proceed with candidates who are immediately eligible to access controlled technology.

Inclusion and diversity

ASML is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that inclusion and diversity is a driving force in the success of our company.

Request an Accommodation

ASML provides reasonable accommodations to applicants for ASML employment and ASML employees with disabilities. An accommodation is a change in work rules, facilities, or conditions which enable an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform the essential functions of a job, and/or enjoy equal access to the benefits and privileges of employment. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete an application, participate in an interview, or otherwise participate in the employee pre-selection process, please send an email to [e-mail] to initiate the company's reasonable accommodation process.

Please note: This email address is solely intended to provide a method for applicants to initiate ASML's process to request accommodation(s). Any recruitment questions should be directed to the designated Talent Acquisition member for the position.