Research & Development Technician

POSITION SUMMARY

The Research & Development Technician will assist researchers in the development and testing of new abrasives and polishing compounds. Using wafer processing equipment and other tools, the technician will perform tests, collect and analyze data and provide information and reports for ongoing research of new products.

• Operate baseline metrology and production equipment, including polishing equipment and metrology in a clean room environment.
• Handle and manage hazardous waste and regulate chemical products to ensure compliance with environmental, governmental, and workplace rules.
• Follow procedures/recipes for lab and customer samples, write reports detailing procedures, outcomes, and observations, and communicate performance data using supporting statistical evaluations.
• Work with hand tools, meters, and related tools; maintain equipment logs for operations and services.
• Document work using data acquisition and other resources to summarize collected data for basic statistical analysis.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Competency Statements

• Accountability: Accepts responsibility and accounts for actions.
• Accuracy: Performs work accurately and thoroughly.
• Analytical
  
  Skills:
  
  Uses critical thinking and reasoning to solve problems.
• Deductive Reasoning: Applies principles of logical/scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.
• Detail Oriented: Pays attention to minute details of a project or task.
• Initiative: Makes decisions or takes actions to solve problems or reach goals.
• Intrapersonal
  
  Skills:
  
  Works effectively with all levels of people.
• Organized: Follows a systematic method of performing tasks.
• Oral Communication: Communicates effectively with others verbally.
• Problem Solving: Finds solutions and deals proactively with work-related problems.
• Research
  
  Skills:
  
  Designs and conducts a systematic, objective, and critical investigation.
• Safety Awareness: Identifies and corrects conditions that affect employee safety.
• Technical Aptitude: Comprehends technical topics and specialized information.
• Time Management: Organizes and completes work within given deadlines.
• Working Under Pressure: Completes assigned tasks under stressful situations.
• Written Communication: Communicates clearly and concisely in writing.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree (four‑year college or technical school) required, field of study:
  Chemistry or related science.
• Experience: 1–3 years in a related field or similar work. Experience in slurry production, chemical mechanical planarization, and working in a lab, clean room, or with equipment/tools (SEM, SP1, blanket wafer inspection tool, AIT III wafer inspection tool, Ebara polisher). Familiarity with defect inspection equipment, polishers, polishing. Basic chemistry skills and performing dilution calculations preferred.
• Computer
  
  Skills:
  
  Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite. Experience with JMP, Statistica or other statistical software preferred.
• Other Requirements: Excellent communication, leadership, and team skills. Must complete Handling Hazardous Waste Training.

Movement and handling:
Stand, walk, sit, manipulate manually; lift/carry up to 20 pounds, push/pull up to 40 pounds frequently. Occasionally lift/carry up to 50 pounds, push/pull up to 100 pounds with assistance or equipment. Position does not lift or carry more than 50 pounds. Requires sense of sound, smell, touch, and wearing PPE (safety glasses, hearing protection, respirator). Requires working in clean room attire.

Primarily laboratory with occasional exposure to clean room and office environments. Potential exposure to cramped spaces, mechanical, electrical, and chemical hazards. Familiar with general laboratory practices and safe handling of chemicals.

Continuous visual attention required when reviewing, handling, processing chemicals, measurements, data collection, and tool use. Requires critical thinking, accurate data communication, safety awareness, and motivation to drive quality results.

Regular attendance essential. Must report to work regularly and on time.