Application Engineer - US - CA - San Jose, United States
$90,964 - $115,220 USD yearly
Originally posted 20 October 2026 by the employer.
About the role
As an Application Engineer, you will translate customer process requirements into repeatable operating methods, resolve application challenges, and support the introduction of new tool capabilities. You will work across optical systems, semiconductor fabrication, customer demonstrations, process evaluation, and application development to support reliable manufacturing performance.
What you'll do
- Own customer application programs from technical discovery through demonstration, process evaluation, and recommendation, delivering clear documentation of results and next steps. - Develop, validate, and promote Best Known Methods to improve photolithography tool performance, process repeatability, and customer outcomes. - Diagnose optical, process, and application issues by analyzing data, isolating contributing factors, and recommending corrective actions. - Plan and execute application tests that establish process windows, confirm feature readiness, and reduce deployment risk. - Translate customer requirements and field observations into actionable input for engineering and manufacturing teams developing or qualifying new features. - Deliver technical training and application guidance to enable customers and internal teams to operate tools effectively and apply recommended methods.
What you'll need
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, materials science, physics, or a related technical field. - 2 or more years of experience in applications engineering, semiconductor process engineering, semiconductor capital equipment, or a closely related technical role (an advanced degree may substitute for professional experience). - Knowledge of photolithography imaging, process variables, and the relationship between optical performance and semiconductor manufacturing results. - Experience working with photolithography processes, optical systems, or semiconductor fabrication and manufacturing processes. - Ability to travel up to 20% within the United States and internationally.
Skills: photolithography, applications engineering, customer demonstration, process window, optical systems