Process Technician III

Applied Materials • Phoenix, AZ

1d • $25 - $35 • Onsite

About The Position

Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting-edge equipment that helps our customers manufacture display and semiconductor chips – the brains of devices we use every day. As the foundation of the global electronics industry, Applied enables the exciting technologies that literally connect our world – like AI and IoT. If you want to push the boundaries of materials science and engineering to create next generation technology, join us to deliver material innovation that changes the world. You’ll benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career as you take on challenges and drive innovative solutions for our customers. We empower our team to push the boundaries of what is possible—while learning every day in a supportive leading global company. Visit our Careers website to learn more. At Applied Materials, we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. We’re committed to providing programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth and care for you at work, at home, or wherever you may go. Learn more about our benefits. As a Process Technician, you'll be responsible for preparing wafers for experimentation, operating reactors to perform thin film processes, and using scanning electron microscopes for analyses and imaging. You'll record process conditions and experimental observations, perform routine maintenance procedures, and evaluate wafers and thin films. Process Technicians are tasked with preparing cross-section samples for analysis, identifying patterns of interest in imaging, and operating laboratory process equipment and instrumentation. Your expertise in troubleshooting, equipment maintenance, and process optimization drives higher levels of productivity, quality, and efficiency in our manufacturing processes. A Process Technician (PT) is a critical lab and manufacturing support role that works closely with Process Engineers to execute experiments, run process tools, and ensure high‑quality, repeatable results. Process Technicians enable engineers to focus on process development by owning tool operation, wafer handling, experiment execution, and first‑level troubleshooting.

Requirements

• Associate degree, technical certificate, or equivalent hands‑on experience in semiconductor manufacturing, lab operations, or engineering support.
• Comfort working with lab tools, wafers, FOUPs, and structured procedures.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow documented instructions precisely.
• Good written and verbal communication skills for engineer and team interaction.
• Ability to work in cleanroom or lab environments and follow safety protocols.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience as a Process Technician, Manufacturing Technician, or Lab Technician.
• Familiarity with MES, PTR systems, or lab workflow tools.
• Experience supporting etch, deposition, or metrology tools.
• Willingness to support shift‑based or flexible schedules depending on lab needs.

Responsibilities

• Process & Experiment Execution Execute process experiments defined by Process Engineers using lab systems such as Process Tech Requests (PTR) or Lab MES. Follow defined travelers, recipes, and step‑by‑step experiment instructions to run wafers through tools and metrology flows. Move wafers or FOUPs between locations and tools as required for experiments.
• Tool Operation & Lab Support Operate semiconductor lab tools (e.g., etch, deposition, metrology, FIB, SEM depending on assignment). Perform sample preparation techniques prior to tool loading when required. Monitor tool status, process progress, and experiment completion.
• Quality, Documentation & Communication Ensure experiments are executed accurately, safely, and according to documented requirements. Update request status (New, In Progress, Delayed, On Hold, Completed) and provide justifications when needed. Communicate clearly with Process Engineers regarding issues, delays, or required clarifications.
• Troubleshooting & Continuous Support Identify basic tool or process issues and escalate appropriately. Work with vendors or engineering teams to support troubleshooting and equipment recovery. Support improved turnaround time and lab efficiency while maintaining quality standards.
• Collaboration & Lab Operations Partner closely with Process Engineers to enable successful product and process development. Coordinate with metrology operators and other lab personnel to complete experiment flows. Contribute to a collaborative lab environment with strong internal customer focus.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees