As a Field Service Engineer [Customer Engineer] at Applied Materials, you serve as the direct liaison with customers, collaborating closely to install, maintain, and upgrade equipment. You'll use digital analytics for troubleshooting and apply basic diagnostic techniques to assess and address technical issues. Your responsibilities include performing preventative and corrective maintenance on various systems such as electrical, vacuum, mechanical, plasma, hydraulic, and gas systems. Additionally, you'll coordinate and communicate directly with customers to ensure smooth operations and exceptional service.
SummaryThe Customer Engineer is responsible for troubleshooting, repairing, sustaining, and improving semiconductor manufacturing equipment to maximize tool availability, performance, and customer satisfaction. This role serves as the primary technical resource for corrective maintenance and equipment recovery activities, utilizing advanced mechanical, electrical, and systems troubleshooting skills to resolve complex equipment issues. The Customer Engineer partners closely with Equipment Maintenance Technicians, engineering teams, and customer personnel to drive equipment reliability, support continuous improvement initiatives, and execute tool installations, upgrades, and retrofit projects.
Responsibilities- Serve as the primary technical resource for corrective maintenance, equipment recoveries, and escalations on manufacturing equipment.
- Diagnose and resolve complex mechanical, electrical, vacuum, RF, pneumatic, software, and process-related equipment issues to minimize downtime.
- Perform root cause analysis using troubleshooting methodologies, equipment history, diagnostic tools, and data analysis to eliminate recurring failures.
- Lead and coordinate equipment recovery efforts during unscheduled downtime events and critical tool outages.
- Partner with Equipment Maintenance Technicians to improve maintenance strategies, troubleshooting effectiveness, and overall equipment performance.
- Support tool installation, startup, qualification, retrofit, and upgrade activities while ensuring compliance with customer and company standards.
- Collaborate with engineering, technical support, and customer teams to implement equipment improvements and reliability enhancements.
- Maintain accurate service documentation, equipment records, troubleshooting logs, and technical reports.
- Provide clear communication regarding equipment status, recovery plans, and operational risks to management and customer stakeholders.
- Develop and implement corrective actions that improve tool uptime, Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF), and overall equipment effectiveness.
- Mentor technicians and less experienced engineers on troubleshooting techniques, best-known methods, and equipment operation.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction.
- Maintain compliance with all environmental, health, and safety requirements, including LOTO, PPE, hazardous materials handling, and audit readiness.
- Promote and actively contribute to Applied Materials' safety-first culture.
Minimum Qualifications- Strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills with the ability to diagnose complex equipment failures.
- Working knowledge of AC/DC circuits, RF systems, vacuum systems, pneumatics, electronics, and electro-mechanical assemblies.
- Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, technical manuals, engineering drawings, and service procedures.
- Experience utilizing diagnostic tools such as digital multimeters (DMMs), oscilloscopes, network analyzers, and other test equipment.
- Proven problem-solving and root cause analysis skills in a technical manufacturing or equipment support environment.
- Strong communication, organizational, and documentation skills.
- Ability to work any 12-hour shift schedule and support occasional off-shift, weekend, or emergency recovery activities as required.
- Ability to stand for extended periods, work in cleanroom environments, climb ladders, and lift up to 20 pounds.
- Ability to work independently while effectively collaborating with cross-functional teams and customer personnel.
Preferred Qualifications- Associate's degree in Electronics, Electronics Engineering Technology, Mechatronics,
- Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical field or; military technical training; or equivalent experience.
- Previous experience troubleshooting and repairing semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
- Experience supporting Dry Etch, Plasma Processing, RF Power Systems, Vacuum Systems, Robotics, or similar semiconductor process equipment.
- Experience supporting tool installations, equipment upgrades, retrofits, and new technology deployments.
- Familiarity with semiconductor manufacturing processes, factory automation systems, and equipment performance metrics.
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, 6S, TPM, FMEA, and continuous improvement methodologies.
Key Competencies- Advanced Equipment Troubleshooting
- Corrective Maintenance Leadership
- Root Cause Analysis
- Equipment Recovery and Escalation Management
- Technical Problem Solving
- Customer Engagement
- Equipment Reliability Improvement
- Engineering Project Support
- Tool Installation and Upgrades
- Communication and Collaboration
- Safety Leadership
- Continuous Improvement
Physical Requirements: This position often requires extensive walking, standing for extended periods of time, working in tight spaces, bending, squatting, twisting, kneeling, reaching, climbing stairs and ladders, working at height, lifting up to 35 lbs., the ability to distinguish between colors and working with electricity, the ability to work in an environment with noise that may be difficult for some individuals with sensitivity to noise, and the use of hand and power tools. Additionally, because this position generally involves working in a clean room, it requires the use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment such as coveralls, hoods, booties, safety glasses, gloves, respirators, chemical aprons, and face shields.
Additional InformationTime Type:Full time
Employee Type:Assignee / Regular
Travel:Yes, 25% of the Time
Relocation Eligible:Yes
The salary offered to a selected candidate will be based on multiple factors including location, hire grade, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and with consideration of internal equity of our current team members. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable.
For all sales roles, the posted salary range is the Target Total Cash (TTC) range for the role, which is the sum of base salary and target bonus amount at 100% goal achievement.
