Plasma and Laser Physics Engineer

About the role

As a Plasma and Laser Physics Engineer within the EUV Source Performance team, you will play a critical role in validating and optimizing EUV source performance to ensure products meet or exceed customer requirements and expectations. You will contribute throughout the product development lifecycle by participating in technology development, system validation, performance improvement initiatives, and customer support activities. This role combines advanced physics, data analysis, experimental design, and hands-on engineering to solve complex technical challenges and enable world-class system performance.

Responsibilities

• Develop system-level expertise on EUV light source performance, including laser generation and amplification, laser-plasma interactions, debris mitigation, and control systems.
• Apply theoretical models, scientific methods, and experimental techniques to analyze source performance across multiple technical disciplines.
• Design, execute, and document scientific experiments to validate and optimize prototype hardware and software performance.
• Develop and execute system and subsystem test plans, ensuring traceability of system requirements.
• Collect, process, and analyze large datasets using MATLAB, Python, and automated diagnostic tools.
• Troubleshoot complex performance issues, perform root-cause analysis, and recommend corrective actions and design improvements.
• Use advanced diagnostic equipment and analytical tools to characterize and validate system performance.
• Create clear technical documentation, communicate findings, and align recommendations with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Collaborate closely with system architects, design engineers, scientists, manufacturing teams, customer support engineers, and senior leadership.
• Support customer escalations through remote and on-site troubleshooting, data analysis, and system recovery activities.
• Provide technical training and knowledge transfer to factory and field engineering teams.
• Travel as needed to support customer-site troubleshooting and performance recovery efforts.
• Ensure safe operation of equipment and adherence to ASML safety procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Plasma Physics, Engineering Physics, Applied Physics, or a related field. Master's or PhD preferred.
• Must possess 5 years of related experience.
• Experience with optics, laser-induced plasma, optical metrology, and/or control systems.
• Experience working with complex system integration and multidisciplinary engineering environments.
• Experience designing and executing scientific experiments for product development and validation.
• Proficiency with MATLAB, Python, or similar data analysis and modeling tools.
• Experience with semiconductor equipment development is preferred.
• Hands-on experience operating optical, electrical, or plasma-related laboratory instrumentation is a plus.

Skills

• Strong understanding of optics, lasers, plasma generation, and control systems.
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and root-cause analysis capabilities.
• Ability to translate technical requirements into comprehensive test plans and procedures.
• Ability to interpret and summarize large datasets and effectively communicate results through reports and visualizations.
• Strong laboratory and experimental skills, including operation of test and analytical equipment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills across cross-functional teams.
• Ability to create clear technical documentation, procedures, and work instructions.
• Self-directed with the ability to execute technical tasks with minimal supervision.
• Customer-focused mindset with the ability to support high-priority field escalations and technical recovery efforts.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced, and highly collaborative environment.

Location & Work Environment

This position is located on-site in San Diego, CA. It requires onsite presence to attend in-person work-related events, trainings, and meetings to ensure teamwork, collaboration, and innovation.

A flexible workplace arrangement may be available to employees working in roles conducive to remote work (up to two days a week).

• Routinely required to sit; walk; talk; hear; use hands to keyboard, finger, handle, and feel; stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, reach, and stretch.
• Occasionally required to move around the campus.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Must be willing to work in a clean room environment, wearing coveralls, hoods, booties, safety glasses, and gloves for the entire duration of the shift.

Pay

The current base annual salary range for this role is $117,750–176,625. Pay scales are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual pay is determined through interviews and an assessment of several factors unique to each candidate, including but not limited to job-related skills, relevant education and experience, certifications, abilities, and pay relative to other team members.

Benefits

• The Company offers employees and their families medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance.
• Employees are able to participate in the Company’s 401k plan.
• Employees will receive eight (8) hours of vacation leave every month and thirteen (13) paid holidays throughout the calendar year.