Senior Machine Learning Engineer, Defect Quality & Systems

About Samsung Austin Semiconductor

Samsung is a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, founded on the belief that the pursuit of excellence creates a better world. At Samsung Austin Semiconductor, we are Innovating Today to Power the Devices of Tomorrow.

Come innovate with us!

Position Summary

We are seeking a Senior Machine Learning Engineer to serve as a technical lead within the Defect Engineering Systems group. In this critical role, you will drive the strategy for our in-house ML models, directly impacting the company's ability to detect and classify critical defects in real-time. You will be responsible for the entire ML lifecycle—from collaborating with module owners to define classification logic, to architecting scalable vision models that operate within our high-throughput, 24/7 manufacturing environment.

As a senior member of a small, high-performing team, you will not only develop cutting-edge models but also mentor junior engineers and establish the best practices for model deployment, validation, and maintenance.

Role and Responsibilities

Here’s What You’ll Be Responsible For:

Architect Advanced ML Solutions : Lead the design and implementation of sophisticated ML models focused on defect detection and classification, optimizing for maximum accuracy, throughput, and minimal time-to-detection.

Drive Domain Alignment : Partner with expert module owners to translate complex physical defect characteristics into mathematical modeling proposals and rigorous classification frameworks.

Innovate via Research : Spearhead the transition from theory to production by identifying emerging AI research and whitepapers, adapting new architectures to solve unique semiconductor manufacturing challenges.

Optimize the ML Pipeline : Enhance model performance through advanced feature engineering, hyperparameter tuning, and the implementation of modern vision architectures (CNNs, Object Detection, etc.).

Ensure Operational Scalability : Develop and maintain models that are robust enough for a 24/7 production environment, ensuring seamless integration and high reliability.

Mentor & Lead : Set the standard for codebase quality and design principles within the group, providing technical mentorship to junior engineers and conducting rigorous code reviews.

Skills and Qualifications

Here's what you'll need:

• Education : BS or MS in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics or related STEM/Engineering degree
• Experience:   5+ years relevant experience
• Semiconductor industry highly preferred

Expertise in ML Frameworks : Mastery of open-source frameworks (TensorFlow 2.x, PyTorch) with a proven track record of deploying models into production environments.

Systems Proficiency : High comfort level with command-line interfaces and Linux environments (Ubuntu), with an understanding of how to optimize models for hardware performance.

Strategic Communication : Ability to synthesize complex ML metrics into actionable business insights for a broad range of audiences, from fellow engineers to site leadership.

Execution Excellence : A history of managing complex technical projects from conception to delivery while adhering to strict deadlines and software design principles.

The current base salary range for this role is between $106,000 - $145,000. 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.