Failure Analysis Principal Technician

2401 E 86th St, Bloomington, MN 55425, USA

Posted Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 5:00 AM

Bold Thinking. World Changing. At Sky Water, our ingenuity helps improve lives around the world by manufacturing U.S. made semiconductors that are essential ingredients of modern life. Automotive safety enhancements, life-saving medical devices, consumer electronics and American security require semiconductors. Working in our Minnesota headquarters, Florida, or Texas location — employees join together to improve the world.

Explore what’s possible. Joining our U.S.

- based team means contributing to and learning about the commercialization of some of the most exciting technologies the world has ever seen. We are turning “science fiction” into everyday reality through technologies such as superconducting, 3D integrated circuits or computer chips, carbon nanotubes, photonic logic devices, micro electro-mechanical systems and other emerging device topologies. We manufacture products for aerospace and defense, medical, automotive, consumer and industrial markets, to name a few.

Our customers include emerging leaders who rely on our intellectual property security and quality manufacturing services.

Step into the future. Sky Water’s values of Integrity, Excellence, Collaboration, Empowerment and Growth Mindset guide us to cultivate an empowered, learning environment. We also invest in developing highly skilled, dedicated employees — and employees who are entering the workforce for the first time, from the military, and a variety of educational backgrounds.

Are you bold thinking? Find your place on our team and help us change the world!

Sky Water is hiring a
Principal Failure Analysis Technician to perform physical failure analysis (FA) in support of process development, yield improvement, wafer fabrication excursion investigations, and reliability. This role also operates laboratory electrical probe systems and coordinates analysis with external laboratories. The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional attention to detail, adaptability to changing priorities, and an appropriate sense of urgency.

• Operate optical microscopes, scanning electron microscopes (SEM), and focused ion beam (FIB) systems to produce high-quality analytical data.
• Collaborate with engineers to recommend FA approaches and support project objectives.
• Apply extensive sample preparation experience to cleave, polish, and delayer samples in accordance with established process specifications.
• Operate laboratory electrical probe systems to provide electrical data to reliability and process development teams.
• Collaborate with team members to complete analysis requests accurately and promptly.
• Prepare and coordinate analysis requests submitted to external laboratories.
• Support laboratory equipment maintenance and update operating specifications in collaboration with the team.

• At least 8 years of relevant experience with an associate degree, or at least 10 years of relevant experience without a degree.
• At least 7 years of experience operating highly complex laboratory, manufacturing, or electrical test equipment.
• Ability to handle and manipulate small, delicate samples using tweezers under a microscope or inside a chemical fume hood.
• U.S. Person
  
  Required:
  
  Sky Water Technology Foundry, Inc. subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All accepted applications must be U.S. Persons as defined by ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. Person as U.S. citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident, Political Asylee, or Refugee.
• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds once per week and perform work involving standing, walking, reaching, sitting, optical microscopy, and handling small samples. Excellent manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination are required.
• E Shift (M-F, 8am-5pm).

• Extensive experience in a semiconductor wafer fabrication facility or an analytical or research laboratory, along with chemical handling experience.
• Extensive experience operating optical microscopes, SEM, and/or FIB systems, as well as setting up and executing automated electrical tests.
• Experience leading peer…