Applications Scientist, Semi

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Rigaku Semiconductor Metrology Division is seeking an Applications Scientist to provide on-site customer applications support for our advanced x-ray metrology products, with a primary focus on T-SAXS/GI-SAXS. This role centers on developing high-performance measurement recipes, improving repeatability and sensitivity, and advancing data analysis and fitting methodologies to address complex customer challenges. The position works closely with Rigaku service, design, and development groups—both locally and in Japan—to ensure successful deployment and continuous improvement of TSAXS applications.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary on‑site T-SAXS technical contact for a key customer account, responding quickly to support needs and new measurement requirements.
• Implement advanced fitting approaches for challenging semiconductor structures, including memory and advanced logic.
• Translate customer process requirements into robust, production‑ready recipes that deliver consistent, high‑confidence results.
• Develop robust measurement workflows that ensure repeatability, sensitivity, and stability across varying process conditions.
• Provide local, hands‑on support for T-SAXS metrology tools, including installation support, tool start‑up, calibration, and routine operational checks.
• Diagnose and resolve measurement, modeling, and data‑quality issues in collaboration with customer and Rigaku engineering teams.
• Monitor tool performance, identify trends, and recommend corrective actions to maintain tool stability and uptime.
• Assist customers with recipe development, tool operation, and data analysis, both remotely and on‑site.
• Write technical documentation and application notes, and create and maintain training material. Clearly and effectively communicate highly technical subject matter to a variety of audiences.
• Some travel to customer sites located primarily within the United States, but with occasional international trips.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D or M.S. in Material Science, Physics, Chemistry, Solid State, or related engineering fields.
• Minimum of three years of work experience as an applications scientist or applications engineer in a semiconductor metrology tool manufacturer or as a process engineer in a semiconductor device manufacturer with thin film quality control/metrology experience.
• Hands‑on experience with X‑ray analytical techniques (T-SAXS, GI-SAXS, XRD, XRR, XRF, or related) or optical methods (OCD).
• Experience with model-based fitting approaches to analyze complex datasets.
• Strong understanding of fundamentals of X-ray physics, spectroscopy, diffraction and scattering.
• Strong understanding of semiconductor device manufacturing process.
• Excellent analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, e.g. root cause analysis, 5 Whys.
• Proficient in data analysis techniques and skills, including a working knowledge of statistics and statistical process control.
• Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing in English. Ability to speak at an intermediate level in Japanese, Chinese, Korean, or Hebrew is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal technical communication skills.
• Ability to travel up to 30% with occasional international travel.
• U.S. Citizenship or U.S. Permanent Resident status required.