Failure Analysis Technician - US-CA-Santa Rosa-Bldg 2, United States

Originally posted 15 September 2026 by the employer.

Join a team enabling breakthrough technologies that differentiate Keysight's design enablement solutions, working with advanced compound semiconductor ICs.

About the role

As a Failure Analysis Technician, you will work hands-on with advanced compound semiconductor ICs and high-performance interconnect technologies.

What you'll do

• Support engineering teams by performing failure analysis and material characterization on advanced semiconductor devices, packages, interposers, and related technologies.
• Assist engineers and operators with advanced SEM, FIB, and EDX analysis requests, generating high-quality imaging, compositional analysis, and cross-sectional data.
• Perform adhesion characterization using stud-pull testing, scratch testing, and other mechanical evaluation techniques.
• Run AFM topography measurements and surface characterization studies to support process development and failure investigations.
• Conduct non-destructive inspection of devices, packages, and assemblies using X-ray, laser, and white-light interferometry imaging systems.
• Document findings, summarize data, and communicate results to engineers and project teams in a clear and organized manner.
• Support laboratory organization, equipment upkeep, method development, and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance failure analysis capabilities.

What you'll need

• Familiarity with microscopy techniques, image interpretation, and defect analysis.
• Experience collecting, documenting, and organizing technical data in a laboratory or manufacturing environment.
• Ability to safely and effectively handle delicate devices and small components.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other tools used for data collection, summary, and reporting.
• Strong observational and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to recognize process issues, equipment anomalies, or unusual failure signatures.
• Ability to follow established procedures while also identifying opportunities for process improvement.
• Excellent organizational skills, including maintaining clear records, test logs, and analysis reports.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills that enable productive interaction with engineers, technicians, operators, and cross-functional teams.

Nice to have

• Educational or industry background in Materials Science, microscopy, failure analysis, or semiconductor processing, including an Associate’s Degree or similar credential.
• Hands-on operation of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) systems for inspection, imaging, and characterization.
• Fundamental knowledge of Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDX/EDS) and elemental analysis techniques.
• Experience operating or supporting Focused Ion Beam (FIB) systems, including cross-sectioning, sample preparation, or imaging.
• Experience with Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) operation and interpretation of topography data.
• Familiarity with White Light Interferometry (WLI), laser microscopy, X-ray, or other non-destructive imaging systems and surface metrology techniques.
• Familiarity with semiconductor fabrication processes, thin-film deposition, etching, lithography, packaging, or assembly operations.
• Experience working in cleanroom, laboratory, or semiconductor manufacturing environments.
• Basic understanding of optics, electron optics, lenses, vacuum systems, and material properties relevant to analytical instrumentation.

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Skills: Failure Analysis, SEM, FIB, EDX, AFM, compound semiconductor