Productivity Engineer

Title: Productivity Engineer

Reports To: Manager of Coatings and Productivity Core Technology Center

Department: Coatings and Productivity Core Technology Center (CPCTC)

Supervises: None

Location: San Jose, CA

Position Type: Regular/Full-Time/Exempt/In-Person/On-Site

Purpose of the Role:

Eugenus is seeking a Productivity Engineer (PE) with expertise and knowledge in Productivity of semiconductor equipment chamber parts and materials. PE should be able to apply sound materials science and chemistry to investigate failure mechanisms and recommend mitigation measures to improve coatings and materials for capital equipment parts used in EUGENUS’ current and future products.

Role Description:

The Productivity Engineer will directly or cross-functionally execute Coatings and Productivity Technology engineering activities and is responsible for all materials technology aspects, within the scope of their assignments, of Product Development and R&D of semiconductor process equipment involving state-of-the-art 300 mm film deposition platforms and New Product Development Programs at Eugenus.

This is a key technology position reporting to Manager of Coatings and Productivity Core Technology Center, and one that plays an important role in executing the company’s technology directions.

The role requires deep experience in applying materials science engineering to support Coatings and Productivity technology, specifically in the areas of thin film deposition techniques by means of thermal ALD, plasma-enhanced PEALD, thermal CVD, and plasma-enhanced PECVD. The role requires expertise in most material technology laboratory disciplines, including skills in building and developing a world-leading Productivity laboratory.

Some capital equipment development experience helps to smoothly fit into the role; encompassing understanding and practical history of technology development from early R&D and C&F phases though Development, Beta and transfer to HVM.

Simultaneously, the role requires a strong and developed skillset in the technical aspects of technology development as well as demonstrated technology leadership, self-management skills, team working and contribution to organization development.

The candidate will embody the culture of innovation at Eugenus and support directly or cross-functionally materials technology development projects in collaboration with hardware design, process, software, operations, equipment maintenance, marketing, and sales teams to extend the capabilities of current products and develop next generation products.

CORE FUNCTIONS OF THE ROLE:

Technical Support and Self-Management

Focus on contributing to a highly productive team of industry experts. Provides Technical Support, able to self-manage, inspires team members to excel. Actively mentors and empowers team members through accountability and engagement. Communicates clearly complex technical data, understands Coatings and Productivity development success targets. Highlights prime opportunities for improvement of Materials Development Activities. Inspires collaboration & participation. Develops and implements metrics to efficiently achieve the Materials Technology objectives for the company. Nurtures alignment with other CTO Division members and Eugenus’ Senior Management. Efficiently and effectively achieves Materials Technology objectives for the company. Conducts weekly alignment meetings of their assigned projects and priorities. Contributes to the development of the Coatings and Productivity Core Technology Center Roadmap.

Research & Development

Conducts directly or cross-functionally innovative Chamber Part Materials Productivity projects to improve Eugenus’ chamber parts and to ultimately expand Eugenus’ influence in the industry. Develops and completes failure mechanism studies and proposes plausible improvements of existing hardware with respect to bulk and surface material properties. Through regular communications, listens to internal customers and stays abreast of market and industry trends. Through collaboration with Eugenus leaders, co-develops innovative solutions.

Defend Current Market Share

Through collaboration and partnership with the CTO Division, defend and win new business, ensuring Eugenus’ industry-leader status. Supporting current customer accounts as required to maintain existing market share as well as supporting customer requests, MRS, Project Applications, project ROIs, and product management decisions. The Productivity Engineer is expected to support NPD, C&F Materials Development, Core Technology Development, Sustaining Products and CEPs, as needed.

Extends / Maintenance of Coatings and Productivity Development Tools

Manages and extends the capabilities of world class Coatings and Productivity technology Development Tools in Materials Technology Lab associated to their Assignments. Accountable for Productivity practices and metrology in Materials Technology Lab for their assignments with efficiency, safety and quality.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Behaviors:

• Results driven, Excellence focused, Takes direction well, Helpful, Visionary, Connector, Inspirer, Analyst, Trendsetter, Convincer, Passionate, Emotional intelligence, Positive character, Looks on things from the bright side, Careful, Systematical, Analytical, Experimental, Practical.

Competencies:

• Productivity, Practical lab work, Multitasking ability, Communication, Balanced decision making, Conceptual thinking, Accountability, Creativity, Conveying/embodiment of Eugenus’ values, Team player, Mentor, Sense of urgency, Gains commitment, Structured planning, Enjoyment of the job, Initiative, Persistence, Integrative ability, Practical thinking, Project and goal focus, Self-confidence, Practical and theoretical problem solving, Innovation, Design, development, Lab installation.

Major Responsibilities:

• Support the strategy, processes, tools, and organization for the development of a strong Coatings and Productivity Core Technology Center (CPCTC).
• Apply knowledge of semiconductor capital equipment requirements, industry coating techniques/BKMs, and coating materials to enhance the performance of existing and new products.
• Work with global coating vendors to develop innovative coating solutions that provide differentiation.
• Work with academic institutions to develop innovative materials science engineering solutions that provide differentiation.
• Support the establishment of a methodology for engineering DOEs and development/qualification of coating materials.
• Solve materials engineering challenges related to the chemical, physical and thermal aspects of processes to improve the performance of equipment parts.
• Communicate the progress and status of ongoing technical activities to management.
• Support preparation of design reviews for the development team.
• Work with Engineering teams to ensure the clarity of engineering drawing requirements related to part coatings.
• Other duties as required.

Qualifications:

Mandatory:

• BSc with > 6 years, MSc with > 4 years or PhD with > 2 years of industry experience in Productivity, process engineering, materials science, material engineering or materials chemistry, with focus on hands-on experimental work.
• Expertise in failure analyzing various ceramic materials, metals, quartz and coated parts.

Expertise in failure analyzing plasma and/or thermal CVD/ALD semiconductor reactor components (e.g., chamber wall liner, gas distribution showerheads, electrostatic chucks, wafer lift mechanisms, bellows, etc.).

• Expertise in the areas of materials science and engineering of various coating processes, such as plasma spray, ion assisted deposition, ALD, CVD, PVD, etc.
• Expertise in material analysis and characterization (SEM, TEM, ICP-MS, EDX)
• Expertise in corrosion and erosion mechanisms of semiconductor production chamber parts.
• Expertise in solving particle and contamination problems in semiconductor process chambers.
• Experience in running wafer marathons as a means of monitoring and ultimately solving particle and contamination problems in semiconductor process chambers.
• Works independently and solves complex problems with limited supervision.

Preferred:

Understanding and use of various problem-solving methodologies, such as Lean Six Sigma, Ishikawa Diagram, 8D, TRIZ etc.

• Knowledge of DOE methodology.
• Ability to mentor and train junior colleagues.
• Knowledge of cleaning of various ceramic materials, metals, quartz and coated parts.
• Experience working with vendors and academic institutions.
• Familiarity with additive manufacturing.