Application Engineer/Scientist

Job Type: Location Type: On-site

 

(Relocation to Japan in Q1/Q2 2026)

Candidates often screen themselves out of job applications if they do not meet all the qualifications. So, please apply if you’re excited about a role at EUV Tech-we would love to see your application.

At EUV Tech, we enable the frontiers of semiconductor manufacturing and material science through the development of world-leading extreme ultraviolet and soft x-ray instrumentation and techniques. EUV Tech stands at the forefront of the next era in advanced semiconductor manufacturing, delivering new and innovative solutions worldwide.

If you are looking to push the limits of cutting-edge technology in an impactful role with a talented team, we would love to hear from you!

About the Role

The Applications Engineer (AE) will be a subject-matter expert for our actinic EUV microscope, bridging R&D and field deployment. Ideal candidates are hands-on experimentalists who think from first principles, are fluent across optical, electrical, and mechanical subsystems, and can diagnose and improve a complex, automated instrument. You will turn customer use-cases and internal data into calibration and metrology methods, specifications, and product improvements. This role requires strong collaboration with highly technical peers and the ability to prioritize in a dynamic startup environment. A systematic troubleshooting mindset-decomposing systems to identify failure mechanisms-is essential.

Reporting Line

Reports to: Scientific/ Technical lead for microscopy products

Your Role

• Deep Expertise: Develop a rigorous, end-to-end understanding of EUV Tech’s actinic microscope; handle complex technical issues, troubleshooting, and repairs; design experiments (DOE) and build calibration and metrology methods to establish repeatable performance; translate end-user technical needs into specifications and the product roadmap, driving tool evolution to enable new applications.
• Knowledge Sharing: Serve as the primary technical resource for Field and internal engineering teams; instruct and train FSEs, agents, and customers on operation, alignment, calibration, and maintenance.
• Technical Documentation: Create and maintain procedures, acceptance tests, troubleshooting guides, and analysis notebooks; ensure knowledge is version-controlled, shared across regions, and kept up to date.
• Customer Escalations: Lead root-cause analysis for field escalations; define containment and corrective actions with clear timelines and success metrics.
• Continuous Improvement: Partner with R&D, Manufacturing, and Product Development to translate field data and customer requests into specifications and feasibility analyses; drive reliability, usability, and throughput improvements.
• Build & Qualify: Support manufacturing in building and qualifying new tools; define calibration/qualification criteria and automate test routines where practical.
• Installation & Handoff: Lead on-site installation and qualification of new tools; deliver clear technical reports and customer handoffs.
• Data Analysis: Perform quantitative analysis (Python/MATLAB preferred), including performance metrics such as aberration characterization and qualification, modulation transfer function (MTF), shot-noise performance/SNR, stability, and repeatability; turn data into actionable recommendations.
• Controls & Automation: Perform control-system analysis and troubleshooting across motion, DAQ, I/O, and automation; develop automated diagnostics and health checks.
• Customer Interface: Communicate regularly with customers; manage expectations and technical requests; document outcomes and next steps.
• Cleanroom & Protocols: Work in cleanrooms and follow all customer protocols and safety requirements.
• Teamwork: Work in a supportive, team-oriented environment and collaborate closely with highly technical peers.
• Travel: Travel, sometimes on short notice, to customer sites to resolve problems.
• Integrated System Assembly: Perform integrated system assembly and alignment across optical, electrical, mechanical, and UHV subsystems.

Qualifications (Required)

• Willingness to relocate to Japan for extended periods of time.
• Master’s degree in science or engineering (PhD preferred or equivalent research/industry impact-e.g., publications, patents, or shipped instrumentation).
• Strong knowledge of optical systems; ability to identify and mitigate fundamental aberrations (e.g., astigmatism, coma) and hands-on experience aligning precision optics.
• Experience designing and executing calibration and metrology methods; comfort quantifying performance (e.g., aberration characterization/qualification, MTF, shot-noise/SNR, stability, repeatability).
• Experience troubleshooting automated control systems across motion, DAQ, and I/O; systematic root-cause analysis in complex, automated instruments.
• Proficiency in scientific programming (Python and/or MATLAB) and quantitative data analysis.
• Assembly skills (electrical/mechanical) and experience troubleshooting/repairing ultra-high vacuum (UHV) systems.
• Experience working in a cleanroom and following all customer protocols.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills; strong time management, prioritization, and decision-making.
• Eligibility to legally work in the United States and to travel internationally for work.

Qualifications (Bonus to Have)

• Working proficiency in Japanese.
• Semiconductor capital equipment experience, ideally with EUV/XUV, UHV, precision motion, or high-sensitivity detectors.
• Deeper experience in Python/MATLAB; familiarity with optical modeling or analysis tools (e.g., Zemax), calibration pipelines, and uncertainty analysis.
• Evidence of scientific impact (open-source contributions, patents, peer-reviewed publications).

Position Details

The annual base salary range for this full-time position is $140,000-$160,000 + bonus + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and EUV Tech’s location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the respective role. Within the range, individual pay is determined by the following factors: job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Primary location is Martinez, CA, with relocation to Japan in Q1/Q2 2026.

The Perks

Joining EUV Tech means being part of an innovative start-up culture in Martinez, CA. We have a supportive environment and a convenient reverse commute from the Bay Area. We’re a vibrant collective of individuals who celebrate our achievements while valuing each team member’s unique contributions.

Added benefits of joining us at EUV Tech:

• Enjoy complimentary on-site lunches, coffee, drinks, and snacks as part of our commitment to a positive workplace experience
• We provide comprehensive healthcare coverage for employees and their families, along with generous time-off policies that recognize the importance of work-life balance
• We are committed to your professional growth, offering opportunities for development and advancement