Mechanical Design Engineer (vacuum system)

About the role

The RAPID division is the world leading provider of reticle inspection solutions for the semiconductor industry. The company provides inspection solutions to both the mask shops and the semiconductor fabs to ensure that lithography yields are consistently high thus enabling cost-effective manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design, integration, and validation of complex, multi-chamber subsystems, ensuring structural stability, precision performance, and robust contamination control.
• Design and develop ultra-clean vacuum system hardware, including chamber structures, interfaces, materials/finishes, seals, and internal components, applying UCV principles such as low-outgassing materials, precision cleaning requirements, and contamination-minimizing geometries.
• Create drawings, specifications, and requirements for cross-functional teams.
• Drive structural, thermal, fluid, and vibrational analyses to optimize component performance and system stability.
• Collaborate closely with optics, metrology, electrical, controls/PLC, software, manufacturing, and service teams to ensure subsystem compatibility and seamless system-level integration.
• Support vacuum-related elements across chambers (e.g., main chamber, stage chamber, transfer chamber, etc.) by defining interfaces, mechanical constraints, and performance requirements that integrate with overall system design.
• Develop mechanical concepts and detailed designs for chambers, frames, interfaces, mounts, enclosures, and precision mechanisms.
• Contribute to the development and documentation of vacuum operation schemes (pump-down, roughing, purge, vent, bake/clean cycles), and partner with Controls/SE on interlocks and sequencing.
• Establish and maintain contamination-control strategies—including materials selection, cleanliness/handling guidelines, and UCV-grade component practices—working with Materials Engineering and Supply Chain to evaluate suppliers.
• Perform first-order and detailed analyses for pumping configurations, conductance effects, and subsystem-level performance impacts; collaborate with vacuum specialists as needed for deeper modeling.
• Lead mechanical and system-level design reviews (CDR, DDR), ensuring design requirements flow correctly to partner teams (mechanical, electrical, opto-mechanical, metrology, EFEM/loader, source).
• Own integration of chambers and platform structures for vibration isolation, optical stability, and stage dynamic performance.
• Plan, execute, and oversee test activities—prototype chambers, subsystem test stands, and pre-factory builds—including instrumentation, test methods, data analysis, and acceptance metrics.
• Manage risk through FMEA, issue tracking, corrective actions, and design-for-reliability improvements across NPI and into HVM.
• Mentor engineers, establish best practices (DfX, contamination handling, documentation standards), and maintain engineering artifacts and decision rationale for long-term R&D continuity.

Qualifications

• Education: MS/PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related field (Applied Physics, Materials Science, EE, etc.).
• Experience: 8–12+ years in mechanical design and integration of complex systems (semiconductor equipment, precision instrumentation, multi-chamber tools, or equivalent).
• Technical depth: Strong foundation in mechanical engineering—precision design, structural/thermal/vibration analysis, contamination control, materials/finishes, and system-level integration. Familiarity with vacuum principles (pumping, conductance, gauging, cleanliness) desired.
• Tools: Proficiency in 3D CAD/PLM workflows; experience with analysis tools (ANSYS/COMSOL or similar); scripting (Python/Matlab) for data processing and modeling; collaboration with PLC/HMI teams.
• Soft skills: Demonstrated cross-functional leadership, clear technical communication, supplier interaction, issue-resolution ownership, and mentoring experience.

Pay

Base Pay Range: $117,800.00 - $200,300.00 Annually

Benefits

• Participation in performance incentive programs.
• Eligibility for additional benefits including but not limited to: medical, dental, vision, life, and other voluntary benefits, 401(K) including company matching, employee stock purchase program (ESPP), student debt assistance, tuition reimbursement program, development and career growth opportunities and programs, financial planning benefits, wellness benefits including an employee assistance program (EAP), paid time off and paid company holidays, and family care and bonding leave.