Research And Development Engineer

About the Role

Join UCT and be part of the fastest-growing sector in the world! We indirectly touch every semiconductor chip that goes into every smartphone, smart car, and device that uses artificial intelligence. This is a critical time for the semiconductor industry and for UCT—as technology evolves, we evolve with it. UCT is a diverse workplace where every talented employee is committed to continuous innovation, challenging the status quo, and exceeding customer expectations.

Plans, develops, and executes the testing and implementation of new technologies aimed at introducing new processes to optimally meet customer needs and requirements, enhance timely completion of processing, and ensure compliance with applicable requirements and industry standards. Acts occasionally in a project managerial role for analyzing new equipment and/or technologies as to their efficiency for implementation into production processes. May collaborate with other departments to ensure customer and profitability objectives are met. Assists in completing site systems projects, completing required documentation in conformance with Engineering goals. Ensures adherence to quality, safety, compliance, and regulatory standards while monitoring environmental impact of related processes and solutions.

Responsibilities

• Research, propose, and develop new process technologies to improve internal and external processes with respect to safety, cost, process time, and capability.
• Design, direct, and publish Statistical Design of Experiments (DOEs) for process feasibility/optimization.
• Design and direct process characterization studies.
• Develop process control strategies for new and existing processes.
• Observe new processes in the Operations environment to identify/eliminate possible failure modes.
• Document and protect intellectual property (IP) through invention records and patent applications.
• Provide support to the Commercial team through customer visits and technical presentations.
• Generate technical papers for publication and presentation.
• Provide program cost estimates for budget development.
• Generate Project Scope and Definition proposals for development programs.
• Maintain full competency by regularly attending training on processes and science of parts cleaning engineering, OEM parts, and other major tool platforms.
• Maintain full knowledge of semiconductor manufacturing micro-contamination requirements.
• Collaborate effectively with internal and external customers ensuring that their needs and requirements are met and communicated throughout the organization.
• Participates in projects as assigned to improve systems, operations, and cross-functional collaboration.

Requirements

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Metallurgy/Hydrometallurgy, or Mechanical Engineering. Advanced degree is preferred.
• 4 to 8 years of directly related engineering experience in a development engineering role or a combination of directly related process engineering and development activities.

Skills

• Uses knowledge in engineering, chemistry, and physics to develop new products, coatings, cleaning methodologies, and services for both internal and external customers.
• Accomplished in statistical design of experiments, theory, and application.
• Experience working with/administrating statistical process control programs.
• Good technical writing skills.
• Process Engineering Experience—including characterization, optimization, and failure analysis.
• Knowledge of semiconductor tools, materials, theory, and processing.
• Comfortable preparing and presenting research material to customers while protecting Intellectual Property.
• Experience with process simulation, product development, and product marketing.
• Experience working in and understanding cleanroom environments.
• Developed project management abilities.
• Strong working knowledge of coating methods and applications.
• Ability to create disruptive chemical processes and coatings to address customer challenges.

Working Conditions

This job is usually performed in a professional office environment, routinely using standard office equipment such as computers, telephones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and other related equipment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment and manufacturing areas can occasionally be moderate or loud.

Physical demands include regularly talking or hearing; frequently standing, walking, using hands to finger, handle, or feel, and reaching with hands and arms. The employee is required to sit, climb stairs, maintain balance, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust optical focus.

Limited off-site and/or overnight travel away from the primary work location may be required.