Experienced Defect Control Engineer

About Samsung Austin Semiconductor

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Position Summary

We are seeking a highly analytical and driven Defect Control Engineer to join our world-class semiconductor fabrication team in Taylor, Texas. In this critical role, you will serve as the primary guardian of wafer quality, responsible for the rapid identification, containment, and eradication of defect excursions. You will operate at the intersection of Metrology, Unit Process groups (Photo, Etch, etc) and Yield Engineering.

When causes are unknown, or containment is not established you will lead cross-functional teams to solve complex technical puzzles. The ideal candidate is a proactive problem solver who can thrive in a fast-paced environment and possesses the leadership skills to drive technical alignment across multiple departments to ensure zero defective wafers escape the factory.

Role and Responsibilities

Here’s What You’ll Be Responsible For:

Excursion Escalation: Lead the rapid identification and classification of defect excursions using advanced metrology tools (e.g., KLA-Tencor, AMAT) to determine defect morphology and distribution.

Root Cause Analysis: Spearhead deep-dive investigations into unknown defect sources, utilizing a data-driven approach to isolate the specific tool, process step, or material causing the excursion.

Cross-Functional Leadership: Chair and facilitate "War Room" meetings with Process, Integration, and Equipment engineers to drive containment/inspection strategies and accelerate time-to-source for suspected yield impacting events

Standards & Rules: Develop and validate enhancements to SOPs for Shift Technicians to ensure correct decision making & rapid containment to maintain world-class quality standards.

Knowledge Management: Document defect signatures and image databases and maintain source libraries, and failure modes to create a robust knowledge base for faster identification of recurring issues.

Preventative Strategy: Partner with Unit Process owners to implement corrective actions and factory-wide strategies to prevent defect reoccurrence and reduce variation in yield.

Out of Control Assessments: Collaborate with the Metrology and Defect Engineering to ensure statistical process limits are appropriate and items of concern are flagged.

Skills and Qualifications

Here's what you'll need:

Bachelor’s of Science in Engineering or related field.

Minimum 3 Years Semiconductor or Quality Management Role.

Familiar with Structured Problem Solving (SPS) and methods of identifying Defect Root Cause (or similar experience driving investigation to root cause in other areas).

Experience in Quality Control Systems and Methods (Six Sigma, SPC, QMS, ISO 9000, etc.).

The current base salary range for this role is between $95,000 - $120,000. Individual base pay rates will depend on factors including duties, work location, education, skills, qualifications and experience. Total compensation for this position will include a competitive benefits package and may include participation in company incentive compensation programs, which are based on factors to include organizational and individual performance.