Senior Scientist

Merck • San Jose, CA

5d

About The Position

At the frontier of semiconductor materials innovation, you will own the development and optimization of ALD and CVD processes that directly shape next-generation semiconductor technologies. Drawing on deep specialized expertise, you will translate complex process and materials challenges into robust solutions — resolving non-routine issues, conducting root cause analysis, and interpreting complex datasets with rigor and autonomy. You will serve as a recognized technical resource: communicating findings clearly to internal and external stakeholders, collaborating cross-functionally to address customer application needs, and contributing to the technical direction of the team. You will also uphold a safe, audit-ready laboratory environment and may lead small technical projects end to end.

Requirements

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or a related science or engineering discipline.
• Ph.D. candidates: 3 or more years of hands-on post-graduate experience in ALD, CVD, semiconductor materials, or process technology development.
• M.S. candidates: 6 or more years of hands-on post-graduate experience in ALD, CVD, semiconductor materials, or process technology development.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with precursor selection or design for ALD or Area Selective Deposition (ASD) processing, including oxide, nitride, and metal ALD.
• Hands-on experience with vacuum equipment and a strong background in thin film deposition, surface science, and basic semiconductor integration.
• Familiarity with process development methodologies such as DoE and Statistical Process Control (SPC), including statistical analysis.
• Working knowledge of thin-film characterization techniques such as XRR, XRD, XRF, Ellipsometry, Auger spectroscopy, SIMS, RBS, or XPS.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex technical problems with rigor.
• Strong customer orientation and direct customer engagement experience.

Responsibilities

• Own the development and optimization of ALD and CVD processes.
• Translate complex process and materials challenges into robust solutions.
• Resolve non-routine issues.
• Conduct root cause analysis.
• Interpret complex datasets with rigor and autonomy.
• Communicate findings clearly to internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to address customer application needs.
• Contribute to the technical direction of the team.
• Uphold a safe, audit-ready laboratory environment.
• Lead small technical projects end to end.

Benefits

• health insurance
• paid time off (PTO)
• retirement contributions
• other perquisites

What This Job Offers

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