OVERVIEW Veeco's Somerset production organization must build advanced semiconductor equipment safely, correctly, and efficiently across multiple product platforms while developing technicians fast enough to meet manufacturing demand. As Senior Trainer, Manufacturing Operations, you will create the level-based qualification system that turns technical knowledge into repeatable capability across Manufacturing, Assembly, Integration, and Final Test. Your work will improve technician readiness, troubleshooting consistency, out-of-box quality, and equipment uptime for ion beam deposition, ion beam etch, physical vapor deposition, diamond-like carbon, metal organic chemical vapor deposition, and optical coating systems. You will shape the training architecture, certification standards, technical content, and train-the-trainer model that prepare today's technicians and tomorrow's technical leaders.
RESPONSIBILITIES - Build and continuously improve a level-based technical training and certification program that defines clear readiness standards for new hires, experienced technicians, and employees advancing into more complex roles.
- Qualify technicians to assemble, integrate, test, commission, and troubleshoot semiconductor capital equipment through classroom instruction, hands-on practice, on-the-job learning, written assessments, and practical demonstrations.
- Translate field failures, manufacturing defects, engineering changes, and lessons learned into realistic simulations, standardized troubleshooting methods, and updated training content that improve out-of-box quality and equipment uptime.
- Establish platform-specific learning paths covering vacuum systems, gas delivery, radio frequency systems, plasma sources, programmable logic controls, safety interlocks, motion control, electrical power distribution, sensors, actuators, and process qualification.
- Create and govern qualification records, skills matrices, work instructions, training manuals, technical guides, visual aids, and a searchable knowledge base that remain aligned with current engineering and manufacturing processes.
- Define escalation paths and teach structured problem solving, including design of experiments, Eight Disciplines, Five Whys, and fishbone analysis, so technicians can isolate root causes and resolve issues with appropriate urgency.
- Develop supervisors, leads, and qualified trainers to coach technicians consistently, expand cross-training, reinforce safe work practices, and strengthen the pipeline of future technical leaders.
QUALIFICATIONS - Associate degree in science, engineering, or a related technical field and at least 8 years of relevant experience; equivalent military technical education and experience also qualify.
- Professional experience assembling, integrating, qualifying, or troubleshooting semiconductor process equipment in a manufacturing environment.
- Professional experience training or qualifying test, assembly, integration, or final test technicians in a manufacturing environment.
- Hands-on experience in several of these technical areas: vacuum technology, electromechanical systems, radio frequency systems, plasma systems, programmable logic controls, motion control, process controls, or equipment qualification.
- Experience creating technical training content, work instructions, qualification criteria, or certification records.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES - Deep working knowledge of semiconductor equipment assembly, integration, startup, testing, process qualification, preventive maintenance, and systematic troubleshooting.
- Skilled in high-vacuum and ultra-high-vacuum operation, including cryogenic pumps, turbomolecular pumps, roughing pumps, leak detection, vacuum fault isolation, and residual gas analyzer data interpretation.
- Ability to read and teach from electrical schematics and process and instrumentation diagrams, then apply them to power distribution, sensor, actuator, interlock, and commissioning diagnostics.
- Knowledge of radio frequency generator operation, matching networks, plasma source fundamentals, arc detection, source alignment, beam characterization, and performance optimization.
- Ability to convert complex technical work into structured learning objectives, realistic practice scenarios, objective assessments, and clear qualification thresholds.
- Skilled at explaining complex equipment behavior in clear language for technicians, supervisors, engineers, and cross-functional partners, both in the classroom and on the production floor.
- A coaching approach that builds accountability, encourages questions, gives specific feedback, and develops other trainers without lowering safety or quality standards.
SALARY AND BENEFITSThe expected salary range for this position is $94,317.00 - $125,756.00, plus a bonus opportunity. We will consider your location, experience, and other job-related factors when determining your pay.
Other benefits include:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
- 401(k) with Company Match
- Holiday, Vacation, and Sick Time
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- Commuter Benefits
- Life and Accident Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Identity Theft Remediation
- Emergency Travel Assistance
