Equipment Engineer (Thin Film) (53416)

TITLE:                          EQUIPMENT ENGINEER (THIN FILM)

FLSA:                           EXEMPT

REPORTS TO:            DIRECTOR, EQUIPMENT ENGINEERING

SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Director of Equipment Engineering, the Equipment Engineer is responsible for the evaluation, selection, procurement, installation, modification, upgrading, and maintenance of tools and equipment in the vacuum and thin-film manufacturing areas. This position analyzes equipment-performance data, prepares reports, presents findings, and recommends corrective and preventive actions as needed. The Equipment Engineer manages tool-installation and hardware-continuous-improvement projects and consistently seeks opportunities to improve tool performance, increase uptime and reliability, improve yield and productivity, and reduce overall operating costs.  This position is located in Milpitas, CA.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Research, evaluate, and recommend vacuum and thin-film tools and equipment that improve up-time, reliability, productivity, yield, and operating cost
• Support the equipment lifecycle, including tool selection, ordering, installation, modification, upgrading, maintenance, and continuous improvement
• Analyze equipment and tool-performance data; compile technical reports, present findings, and recommend corrective and preventive actions
• Manage projects involving tool installation, equipment modification, upgrades, and hardware continuous improvement
• Ensure tools are maintained according to established schedules and remain within required specifications
• Write, revise, and maintain equipment-maintenance instructions, procedures, and related technical documentation
• Respond to equipment-related inquiries and provide technical support to other departments and functional groups
• Support the consistent achievement of quality, productivity, yield, uptime, reliability, and cost objectives
• Collaborate with engineering, maintenance, operations, and other cross-functional teams to resolve equipment and maintenance issues, improve equipment reliability, review and improve procedures, and minimize equipment downtime
• Investigate recurring equipment or part failures, and implement effective countermeasures to prevent recurrence
• Maintain spare-parts inventories at appropriate levels to support equipment availability and timely repairs
• Research, develop, and implement emergency equipment-recovery plans to restore tools during hard-down conditions
• Comply with all applicable ISO 9001:2015 processes and procedures
• Adheres to all safety policies and procedures as required
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level*

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate’s degree in Electronics, Engineering, Maintenance Technology and/or equivalent relevant experience; Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Five years of experience working as an Equipment Engineer or Senior Equipment Maintenance Technician in a high-volume semiconductor manufacturing environment
• Hands-on experience working with thin-film processing tools, vacuum tools, or related semiconductor manufacturing equipment
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting, repairing, maintaining, modifying, or upgrading manufacturing tools and equipment
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of semiconductor manufacturing principles, particularly equipment engineering, maintenance, reliability, and process performance
• Knowledge of the equipment lifecycle, including tool selection, ordering, installation, maintenance, modification, upgrading, and continuous improvement
• Ability to analyze equipment data, prepare reports and presentations, identify root causes, and recommend corrective and preventive action
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot, repair, and maintain thin-film, vacuum, and other semiconductor manufacturing equipment
• Ability to implement improvements that increase equipment reliability and up-time, improve yield and tool performance, and reduce operating cost
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with contractors, consultants, employees, engineers, technicians, and management
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, time-management, and prioritization skills
• Demonstrated problem-solving and trouble shooting skills
• Flexible and able to prioritize

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The Equipment Engineer works primarily in an indoor environment from Monday thru Friday. The schedule may be altered from time to time to meet business or operational needs; may travel from building-to-building as needed. Works in a class 100 ESD sensitive wafer manufacturing facility; wears a cleanroom (bunny) suit, including hood, gloves, safety glasses, booties, and mask.  May be exposed to hazardous conditions, chemicals, fumes, and/or gases during the course of work day; may be exposed to loud noise. Stands and walks, bends, twists, and crawls; May occasionally be required to work in crawl spaces, shafts, or other areas that could cause claustrophobia.  Performs various fine grasping movements; operates a computer and enters information using a keyboard, operates a telephone, and other office equipment; may occasionally be required to push, pull, or lift up to 30 pounds.

*Other duties of a similar nature or level are duties that may be required, but may not be specifically listed in the job description or posting. 

TDK/Headway Technologies, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. Applicants requiring accommodation in order to complete the application process should contact the Headway Human Resources Department.