GC-MS Engineer III (E3)

Applied Materials • Santa Clara, CA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced GC-MS Engineer to support cleanliness qualification and optics lifetime initiatives for semiconductor capital equipment. This role independently operates GC-MS (and related outgassing analysis techniques) to identify and quantify molecular contamination — hydrocarbons, siloxanes, phthalates, and other outgassing species — that degrade optics performance, cause haze/damage, or compromise tool cleanliness specifications. The ideal candidate works autonomously to design test protocols, execute experiments on materials and subsystems, analyze chromatograms, interpret complex spectral data, and drive root-cause investigations with cross-functional engineering teams. The candidate must be capable of owning testing programs end-to-end with minimal oversight.

Requirements

• BS with 3+ years of experience or MS with 1+ years of experience or PhD in Chemistry, Material Sciences, Chemical Engineering, or related technical field.
• 3~7+ years of hands-on GC-MS experience, ideally including dynamic headspace thermal desorption GC-MS
• Demonstrated experience designing outgassing or material cleanliness test protocols (ASTM E595, IPC-TM-650, or equivalent internal methods)
• Proven ability to work independently — designing experiments, troubleshooting instrumentation, standard quantification and routine calibration, and driving investigations without close supervision
• Strong working knowledge of molecular contamination sources relevant to precision optics (siloxanes, plasticizers/phthalates, hydrocarbons, low-molecular-weight polymers)
• Proficiency with GC-MS data software (MassHunter, ChemStation, Xcalibur, or equivalent) and library searching (NIST/Wiley)
• Excellent written/verbal communication for cross-functional engineering audiences

Nice To Haves

• Experience in semiconductor capital equipment, precision optics, aerospace, or other industries with stringent outgassing/cleanliness requirements
• Familiarity with SEMI standards related to contamination control (e.g., SEMI F21, F72, or facility/tool cleanliness specs)
• Experience correlating molecular contamination data with optics performance metrics (haze, transmission, coating lifetime)
• Working knowledge of complementary analytical techniques: SPME GC-MS, FTIR, TOC analysis, Ion Chromatography, particle counters, surface contamination analysis (XPS, XRF, TOF-SIMS, etc.)
• Statistical analysis skills (Minitab, JMP) or scripting (Python/R) for trend analysis and DOE
• Experience supporting supplier qualification or new product introduction (NPI) programs

Responsibilities

• Independently operate GC-MS systems, including headspace GC-MS and thermal desorption GC-MS (TD-GC-MS), for material outgassing and cleanliness analysis
• Own instrument qualification, calibration, tuning, and preventive maintenance schedules without requiring supervisory sign-off
• Diagnose and resolve instrument issues (sensitivity drift, column degradation, contamination carryover, tuning failures) independently, escalating only vendor-level hardware failures
• Manage consumables, standards, and reference materials inventory for the lab
• Design and execute outgassing test protocols for materials, components, and subassemblies (e.g., per ASTM E595, IPC-TM-650, or internal cleanliness specifications) used in tool chambers and near critical optics
• Develop sampling strategies to correlate molecular contamination levels with optics degradation mechanisms (e.g. haze formation, transmission loss, coating damage)
• Design accelerated aging/bake-out studies to predict long-term outgassing behavior and material qualification for new builds or vendor changes
• Establish acceptance criteria and test matrices for incoming material and part and/or sub-assembly qualification, in collaboration with optics and process engineering teams
• Determine appropriate sample prep and desorption parameters (bake temperature, dwell time, purge/trap conditions) tailored to material type (polymers, adhesives, , lubricants, and metals)
• Interpret chromatograms and mass spectra to identify contaminant species (siloxanes, phthalates, hydrocarbons, amines, and other volatile/semi-volatile organic compounds) at trace/ultra-trace levels
• Perform quantitative analysis against calibration standards and library-based qualitative identification (NIST/Wiley)
• Lead root-cause investigations connecting GC-MS findings to field failures, optics lifetime shortfalls, or excursions in cleanliness monitoring
• Correlate GC-MS data with complementary techniques (FTIR, TOC, SEM/EDX, etc. ) as part of a broader contamination control toolkit
• Track trends across builds, lots, or suppliers to flag emerging contamination risks proactively
• Prepare clear, engineering-grade reports and present findings to optics engineering, process engineering, supplier quality, and program management
• Translate analytical data into actionable material/process recommendations (e.g., material substitution, bake-out process changes, supplier corrective action)
• Support Failure Analysis (FA) teams and Material Review Board (MRB) activities with data-driven input
• Maintain rigorous documentation supporting internal specs, supplier qualification packages, and customer-facing cleanliness compliance requirements
• Mentor junior lab staff or technicians on GC-MS operation and outgassing test methodology as needed
• Ensure lab practices align with internal contamination control specifications and, where applicable, industry standards (SEMI standards, ASTM outgassing methods)
• Maintain data integrity, traceability, and audit-readiness for supplier and customer audits
• Follow safety protocols for handling solvents, calibration gases, and hazardous materials

Benefits

• Supportive work culture that encourages learning, development, and career growth
• Opportunities to take on challenges and drive innovative solutions
• Empowerment to push boundaries and learn every day
• Programs and support for employee health and well-being
• Support for personal and professional growth
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Eligibility for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior