Senior Materials and Failure Analysis Technician; SIMS

Job Description

• Support the Materials and Failure Analysis Engineer in establishing and operating Coherent Sherman's SIMS laboratory, including laboratory startup, equipment qualification and development of operating procedures.
• Perform SIMS workflow activities including sample preparation, wafer cleaving, sample mounting, tool setup, recipe execution, data collection and preliminary data analysis with an emphasis on quality, efficiency and on-time delivery.
• Operate SIMS instrumentation and supporting laboratory equipment in accordance with approved procedures while maintaining high standards of data quality, equipment care and laboratory safety.
• Perform advanced materials characterization and failure analysis on semiconductor, photonic and optoelectronic devices using SIMS, optical microscopy, SEM, FIB, probe stations, FTIR and other laboratory equipment as required.
• Support failure analysis investigations by preparing samples, collecting data, documenting observations and assisting engineers with root‑cause analysis.
• Prepare technical reports, data summaries and presentations documenting analytical results with minimal supervision and correction required.
• Perform routine equipment checks, calibrations, housekeeping activities and preventive maintenance tasks to maximize tool availability, data quality and laboratory efficiency.
• Work closely with the Principal Engineer, Equipment Engineering and Facilities teams to support SIMS tool maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs, upgrades and performance improvement initiatives.
• Assist with installation, qualification, acceptance testing and startup activities for SIMS instrumentation and supporting laboratory infrastructure.
• Maintain laboratory consumables, chemicals, cryogenic supplies, spare parts inventories and operational documentation.
• Identify opportunities to improve laboratory efficiency, analytical quality, throughput and customer responsiveness.
• Write and maintain work instructions, standard operating procedures, laboratory documentation and training materials under the direction of laboratory leadership.
• Train and mentor technicians and engineers on laboratory procedures, equipment operation, sample preparation techniques and safety practices.
• Establish productive working relationships with engineers, manufacturing personnel, quality organizations, Equipment Engineering and internal customers.

• Six (6) years of related laboratory, semiconductor manufacturing, materials characterization, metrology or failure analysis experience; OR
• Associate degree or technical degree with four (4) years of related experience; OR
• Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Engineering Technology or related technical discipline.

• Experience operating analytical laboratory equipment in semiconductor, materials characterization or failure analysis environments.
• Experience with SIMS or TOF‑SIMS analysis preferred.
• Experience with semiconductor wafer handling, sample preparation, wafer cleaving and laboratory sample preparation techniques.
• Experience with optical microscopy, SEM, FIB, probe stations, FTIR or similar analytical equipment preferred.
• Proficient understanding of chemistry, materials science and semiconductor device fundamentals.
• Ability to safely handle chemicals and cryogenic materials, including liquid nitrogen.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and preparation of technical reports and presentations.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision while maintaining high‑quality work output.
• Strong analytical, organizational, presentation, technical writing and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Time‑management skills to efficiently organize work assignments, set estimated completion dates and meet or exceed those commitments.

• Work in a class 10,000 clean room for extended periods.
• Work in a laboratory environment maintained at approximately 60°F (15°C) with tightly controlled temperature and low‑humidity conditions required for SIMS instrumentation performance.
• Wear ESD attire (shoes, frocks, wrist straps, etc.).
• Work with and around chemicals such as IPA, acetone and laboratory process…