Senior Field Service Engineer

Summary:

We are seeking an experienced Senior Field Service Engineer to support, troubleshoot, and maintain vacuum environment robotic systems deployed in semiconductor manufacturing equipment. This role requires expert level mechanical and electronic systems troubleshooting capability, familiarity with semiconductor fabrication environments, and the ability to analyze and diagnose complex operational issues in robots and their sub‑systems. The ideal candidate will communicate complex technical issues clearly and concisely through written reports, schematics, and verbal briefings to various stakeholders.

The ideal candidate excels in customer‑facing environments, manages escalations with clarity and urgency, and collaborates cross‑functionally with engineering, applications, quality, and service teams. This position also requires the ability to write, review, and deliver high‑quality root‑cause, 5‑Whys and corrective actions reports based on forensic teardown of RMA systems. Frequent domestic and international travel is required to support global semiconductor OEM and end user customers.

This role bridges service, engineering, quality, manufacturing, suppliers, and internal/external stakeholders to start from ambiguous failures in remotely located robotic systems and end at actionable, data‑backed conclusions.

Reports to:

Director of Customer Service

Direct Reports:
None

• Lead end‑to‑end failure investigations of robotic systems including mechanisms, motors, cables, connectors, encoders, electronics, and software.
• Perform forensic teardown, nondestructive and destructive analysis, and controlled replication of failure conditions.
• Distinguish symptoms vs. mechanisms vs. root causes under incomplete or conflicting data.
• Drive 5‑Why, Ishikawa, fault‑tree, and hypothesis‑testing methodologies.
• Identify multifactor root causes (design, process, parts/supplier, environment, usage) of robot handling errors, robot motion failures, communication faults, and vacuum system abnormalities.
• Validate root causes through data, experiment, and repeatability.
• Write and review detailed failure analysis (FA)/RMA reports, ensuring clear documentation of root cause, corrective action, and prevention measures.

• Provide the OEM and End‑user technical support via phone, email and in person.
• Help with installs, commissioning, and service vacuum wafer‑handling robots integrated into semiconductor process equipment.
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance, including robot motion system service, precision alignment, and contamination control.
• Support wafer‑handling accuracy, end‑effector alignment, and high‑vacuum performance.

• Serve as a senior technical resource for OEM and End‑users.
• Manage escalations with structured communication, detailed action plans, and complete resolution.
• Compile service data into customer‑ready reports and presentations using CRM and other reporting tools.

• Lead system upgrades, retrofits, installations, and multitool deployments.
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, applications, and product management to improve tool reliability and performance.
• Maintain accurate service history, configuration updates, and documentation within CRM platforms.

• Strong mechanical and electronics troubleshooting skills.
• Experience analyzing logs and diagnostic data to identify vacuum robot system faults.
• Proven ability to write, review, and present failure analysis and RMA reports.
• Experience communicating with end users and OEM engineering teams and managing escalations.
• Proficiency with CRM software and customer‑facing documentation.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.

• Hands‑on semiconductor fab experience including cleanroom protocols and contamination control.
• Knowledge of high‑vacuum systems and wafer‑handling robotics.
• Experience with robot software, motion control systems, and automation software.
• Familiarity with structured problem‑solving methodologies (8D, 5‑Why, Ishikawa).
• Experience supporting high‑volume…