SEM Process Technician III (T3)
$29 - $40 USD hourly
Originally posted 3 November 2026 by the employer.
About the role
SEM Process Technicians prepare wafers for experimentation, operate reactors for thin film processes, and utilize scanning electron microscopes for imaging and material analyses. The position involves preparing cross-section samples, evaluating thin films, and executing routine tool maintenance within the laboratory.
What you'll do
- Prepare wafers and cross-section samples for scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis, identifying cut locations and optimizing sample preparation conditions based on pattern instructions.
- Operate SEM instrumentation for cross section, top view, critical dimension (CD), or energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis and imaging.
- Operate reactors to run thin film processes, clean reactors, and evaluate process system performance under limited supervision.
- Perform SEM system software alignment functions along with routine maintenance procedures including flash and plasma cleaning.
- Record process conditions, track experimental observations, and prepare graphs and tables summarizing wafer evaluation results.
- Monitor wafer in process (WIP), coordinate tool shut-down procedures, order supplies, and coordinate instrument maintenance and repair.
What you'll need
- Proficiency in a range of analytical processes or procedures to execute wafer preparation, reactor operation, and SEM analysis.
- Working knowledge of basic scanning electron microscope (SEM) principles, sample/beam interactions, and image quality requirements.
- Experience with SEM imaging modes such as cross-section, top view, critical dimension (CD), or energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS).
- Capability to evaluate thin films and process systems using quantitative wafer evaluation techniques.
- Experience performing routine equipment maintenance procedures, such as plasma cleaning and system software alignments.
More semiconductor jobs: Applied Materials jobs · Equipment engineering jobs · Santa Clara jobs
This role has been open 0 days — well below the 55-day median for Semiconductor Equipment Engineering roles.
Semiconductor Equipment Engineering · Manufacturing Equipment
|
Open roles in category
3875
|
Median days open
55 d
|
Category median salary (all employers)
$125k
|
See the full market breakdown ▾Category comparison, and who else is hiring
| Metric | Applied Materials | All employers we track in this specialty (3875 roles · 82 employers) |
|---|---|---|
| Open roles in this specialty | 667 | 3875 |
| Open roles in the wider Process, Fab & Equipment family | 1175 | 10093 · 105 employers |
| Median days open | 55 d | 55 d (same as this employer) |
| Median salary (USD postings) | — | $125k |
Who's hiring in this category
- Applied Materials (this employer) · 662 open roles · median 55 d
- Lam Research · 560 open roles · median 41 d
- KLA Corporation · 309 open roles · median 61 d
- Micron Technology · 248 open roles · median 50 d
- ASML · 193 open roles · median 77 d
- ASM International · 155 open roles · median 83 d
How we counted: 3875 open Semiconductor Equipment Engineering (Manufacturing Equipment) roles from 82 employers tracked in the SemiconductorJobs index, counted 3 Nov 2026. Specialty figures count only roles carrying this exact specialty label, so an employer's related work in neighbouring specialties is not included there — it is counted in the wider Process, Fab & Equipment family row. Figures refresh nightly.