EPI Process Engineer, Diffusion Ops Details

Samsung Electronics - Austin, TX

Employment Type : Full-Time

Position Summary

Samsung Austin Semiconductor is one of the most advanced semiconductor manufacturing facilities in the world with more than 3,000 employees and 2.45 million square feet of floor space. Samsung Austin Semiconductor has broad semiconductor process technology offerings serving customers in various application areas including mobile, consumer, networking/high performance computing, Internet of Things, RF and automotive. Since 1996, its parent company, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd has invested approximately $17 billion in Samsung Austin Semiconductor’s Austin, Texas campus, making it one of the largest direct foreign investments in United States history. Samsung Austin Semiconductor is a premier employer who provides a great place to work, as well as advanced and upskilled training to thriving employees. Visit www.samsung.com/us/sas.

Samsung Austin Semiconductor strives to be the World's Best Foundry.



Job Summary / Overview: EPI Process Engineer is responsible for performing activities involved with the recovery of EPI tools (AMAT platform) from preventative maintenance, running and analyzing tool qualifications, responding to qualification failures using existing procedures, change point monitoring review and data collection, and must be able to perform data analysis and make decisions based on findings. Daily process trend monitoring will be required, as is responding to SPC interlocks in a timely manner. Engineer will interact with the team and manager when delivering ETAs for tool release, shift support needs, abnormal events, and project progress. Documenting and following standard operating procedures is required. High energy with a focus on quality and detail is required.
Project management will be a daily activity as well as immediate response to tool quality events. On call required as the main point of contact for any tool ownership needs from the EPI Diffusion Operations team.

Role and Responsibilities

  • Process chamber recovery and qualification.
  • SPC charts review.
  • Data collection, data analysis, and troubleshooting.
  • Daily documentation of chamber qualification activities.
  • Following and revising Standard Operating Procedures.
  • Change point monitoring.
  • Coordination with engineering on equipment and process improvement activities.
  • Open path management for production: Regularly monitor inventory and open paths. Feedback to supervisor and area lead(s) to ensure resources are allocated according to factory priorities.
  • Perform Daily Trend Monitoring: Identify WOW (Worst of Worst) tools and BOB (Best of Best) tools. Verify actions taken to drive continuous improvement.
  • Track and close urgent tool interlocks or faults: Verify corrective actions taken are effective.
  • Disposition of hold lots: Any product flagged for a tool interlock or inline measurement out of spec must be evaluated and dispositioned in a timely manner.
  • Basic investigation of root cause including material, equipment, and process changes should be performed.
  • Utilize TPM concepts and LEAN tools to implement systematic solutions for long-term prevention of issues.
  • Drive operational improvements in SOPs: Regularly audit SOPs and OCAPs for completeness and correctness. Interface with office engineers and fab technicians to evolve procedures.
  • Apply advanced process control techniques for process optimization.
  • Act as key EPI representative on cross functional task force teams.
  • Chamber qualification optimization and creation of detailed pre-task plans.
  • Manage Tool Spread Activities: Collect, analyze, and present data to the PCCB (Process Change Control Board) to qualify processes across multiple tools.
  • Run experiments and analyze data to improve capacity, tool to tool variation, and defect performance.
  • Use statistical analysis methods to develop data driven process improvement opportunities.
  • Create and execute DOE for enhanced tool performance.
  • Regularly monitor feedback left by technical staff to complete experiments with minimal product interruption.
  • Ability to lift items greater than 50lbs.
  • Ability to sit 10hrs/day.
  • Be open to work in any shift.

Skills and Qualifications

  • Bachelors in Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical, Electronics engineering, Materials Science, or Physics preferred with 3+ years of experience in semiconductor field or High Volume Manufacturing Facilities.
  • Prefer semiconductor experience with AMAT mainframes equipped with EPI or RTP chambers.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Must be able to follow SOP.
  • Reliable and punctual attendance required.
  • Self-Driven, Highly Motivated Individual.
  • Teamwork Demonstration.
  • Experience with MS Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Word).
  • Familiarity with basic chemical and mechanical engineering principles.
  • Strong analytical skills/ Data Mining (using MATLAB, JMP, Excel).
  • Experience with 5s and LEAN methodologies.
  • Experience with Samsung systems is a plus but not required (YMS, SPC, Workplace, EES, EMS, SiMax, GPM, Sharepoint).
  • FMEA experience, 6 Sigma and Lean certification a plus.
  • Ability to read and interpret engineering specifications, maintenance manuals, and have familiarity with a variety of precision measuring instruments.
  • The candidate should be able to “assist” a given tool set in the Diffusion; helping to generate install plans, PM schedules, qualification plans, qualification failure responses, create Out of Control Action Plans, and create Standard Operating Procedures.


  • Samsung Electronics America, Inc. and its subsidiaries are committed to employing a diverse workforce, and provide Equal Employment Opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Posted on : 2 years ago