Process Technician

Applied Materials•Santa Clara, CA

2d•$33 - $46•Onsite

About The Position

As a Process Technician at Applied Materials, you will prepare wafers for experimentation, operate reactors to perform thin-film processes, and use scanning electron microscopes (SEMs) for analysis and imaging. The role includes recording process conditions and experimental observations, evaluating wafers and thin films, preparing cross-section samples, identifying patterns of interest in images, and operating laboratory process equipment and instrumentation. Troubleshooting, equipment maintenance, and process optimization support productivity, quality, and efficiency in manufacturing processes. You will work with requestors to understand requirements and communicate results, monitor wafer-in-process throughput, coordinate wafer evaluations and equipment repairs, and develop and publish best-known-method procedures. The position also includes training junior technicians. It is a regular, full-time position in Santa Clara, California, with no travel required and relocation eligibility.

Requirements

Technical diploma.
4–7 years of experience.
Understand basic scanning electron microscope (SEM) principles.
Use quantitative wafer evaluation and process-instrumentation knowledge to interpret data.

Responsibilities

Prepare wafers for experimentation, including cleaning and preparing reactors.
Operate reactors for thin-film processes, evaluate process-system performance, and recommend troubleshooting procedures.
Prepare cross-section samples for SEM analysis; optimize sample preparation procedures and conditions, and identify cut locations from pattern instructions.
Record process conditions and experimental observations; evaluate wafers and thin films, including modifying process recipes, and prepare graphs and tables summarizing results.
Operate SEMs for cross-section, top-view, critical-dimension (CD), and energy-dispersive-spectroscopy (EDS) analysis and imaging.
Identify patterns of interest in images and determine optimized conditions based on image-quality requirements and sample/beam interactions.
Perform SEM software alignment and routine maintenance, including flash and plasma cleaning.
Interface with requestors, clarify detailed requirements, communicate results, monitor wafer-in-process status, and maintain throughput.
Check process-system performance; order equipment and supplies; coordinate with vendors and purchasing; and coordinate wafer evaluations, instrument repair, and maintenance.
Perform routine shutdown procedures and set up equipment for experiments.
Use quantitative wafer evaluation and process-instrumentation knowledge to draw conclusions from data.
Assist in training junior technicians.
Develop and publish best-known-method procedures covering sample preparation, SEM conditions, and special sample handling.
Be responsible for all technology products.