Engineer in Charge​/Lead; EIC – Field Service

About Nearfield Instruments

Nearfield Instruments (NFI) is a fast-growing scale-up high-tech company. We design, develop, integrate, market and service advanced metrology machines. Our machines enables our customers - the world’s leading chip makers – to increase the production yields, and thus, functionality of their microchips, which in turn leads to smaller, more powerful consumer electronics.

Founded in 2016, we bring together the most creative minds (approx. 380 employees) in science and technology and develop a one-of-a-kind, revolutionary high throughput Scanning Probe Microscopy system.

As an Engineer in Charge / Lead (EIC), you are the senior on-site technical leader responsible for execution, escalation management, and frontline leadership of Nearfield service operations at a customer location. You serve as the primary technical authority for assigned tools and act as the front-line supervisor for Field Service Engineers (FSEs).

The EIC role supports customer sites with four (4) to six (6) FSEs. Employees performing in an EIC capacity are eligible for on-call and overtime compensation for the duration of their assignment.

This role combines hands-on technical execution, operational ownership, and people leadership to ensure safe, high-quality service delivery, rapid escalation resolution, and continuous improvement in customer satisfaction and team capability.

• Own all tools entering escalation status, including hands‑on troubleshooting and recovery
• Perform and manage complex equipment upgrades, modifications, and corrective actions
• Provide expert sustaining support and guidance to FSEs on routine and non‑routine issues
• Diagnose and resolve complex equipment, system, and process malfunctions
• Act as front‑line supervisor for assigned FSEs, providing daily technical direction
• Drive a safety‑first culture across all service activities
• Deliver on‑the‑job training, mentoring, and skills development for FSEs
• Manage service‑related projects to completion within defined schedules
• Maintain installation, upgrade, and service schedules aligned with customer and contract commitments
• Support contractual service agreements and warranty obligations
• Interface with customer stakeholders and internal Nearfield teams
• Act as a technical consultant to optimize customer system performance
• Train customer personnel on equipment operation and maintenance
• Create and present technical reports, project plans, and documentation as required

Analyze service, tool, and process data to identify improvement opportunities

Initiate and implement new service methods, processes, and technical solutions

Apply independent judgment and creative problem‑solving to complex technical challenges

Adapt to changing priorities and support additional responsibilities as needed

• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor technical teams in a customer‑facing environment
• Strong escalation management skills with a focus on speed, quality, and safety
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic service environment
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Strong problem‑solving, data analysis, and conflict resolution skills
• Willingness to be on call, work overtime, and travel as required

Specific education & experience include:

• ASSET, BSEET, or equivalent technical degree; leadership training preferred
• 6–10 years of field service or customer support experience in semiconductor capital equipment; 1–5 years in a supervisory, lead, or technical authority role
• Experience with semiconductor equipment systems including:
  Electro‑pneumatic controls;
  Robotics and automation;
  Microprocessor‑based controllers;
  Basic software concepts
• Experience supporting advanced semiconductor manufacturing customers preferred
• Advanced PC and technical documentation skills

• A technically challenging, hands‑on role working with cutting‑edge metrology technology
• Exposure to leading semiconductor manufacturers and advanced device architectures
• A collaborative, supportive environment within a growing scale‑up
• Opportunities for continued technical and leadership development
• A culture that values teamwork, learning, safety, and work‑life balance

TEAM matters to us — Together Everyone Achieves More. We support one another and grow by solving hard problems together.

If the above mix of professional and personal challenges excites you, we encourage you to apply. If you have questions or would like a general conversation about Nearfield Instruments, you may contact the Vice President & General Manager of U.S. Operations via ray.cif