Summary
Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. (AOI) is seeking a Senior Electron Microscopy Engineer to support semiconductor laser failure analysis, process troubleshooting, and yield improvement.
The successful candidate will be a subject-matter expert in FIB, SEM, EDX/EDS, TEM/STEM, HRTEM, and electron diffraction, with strong expertise in advanced FIB sample preparation and semiconductor defect analysis. A key expectation of this position is the ability to identify structural defects, understand their formation mechanisms, and connect microscopy observations to semiconductor materials, fabrication processes, device performance, and reliability.
Job Duties
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Perform advanced electron microscopy analysis using FIB, SEM, EDX/EDS, TEM/STEM, HRTEM, and electron diffraction to identify defects, interfaces, compositional abnormalities, and failure mechanisms.
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Develop advanced FIB sample-preparation methods, including site-specific cross-sectional TEM lamella preparation, plan-view TEM preparation, low-damage thinning, and preparation of challenging semiconductor device structures.
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Analyze crystallographic and process-induced defects such as dislocations, stacking faults, interface defects, regrowth defects, contamination, and other microstructural abnormalities, with emphasis on understanding their formation mechanisms and process origins.
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Correlate microscopy results with epitaxy, wafer-fabrication processes, device performance, reliability testing, and yield data to support root-cause analysis and process improvement.
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Oversee microscopy laboratory operations, equipment performance, analytical methods, and sample-preparation capabilities.
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Develop and maintain SOPs and analytical procedures, and train technicians and engineers in microscopy operation, sample preparation, and data interpretation.
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Collaborate with Process Engineering, Epitaxy, Yield, Reliability, Quality, and R&D teams to investigate product failures and manufacturing issues.
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Work with equipment vendors, universities, and external laboratories to introduce advanced microscopy technologies and expand analytical capability.
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Prepare technical reports and clearly present analysis results, defect mechanisms, root-cause conclusions, and recommendations to technical teams and management.
Qualifications
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Ph.D. in Materials Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field with 5+ years of relevant industrial experience, or equivalent industrial experience demonstrating comparable technical expertise.
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Recognized expertise in advanced electron microscopy, including FIB, SEM, EDX/EDS, TEM/STEM, HRTEM, and electron diffraction, with deep hands-on experience in advanced FIB sample preparation such as plan-view TEM specimens and site-specific cross-sectional lamellae.
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Strong knowledge of crystallography, semiconductor defects, and defect-formation mechanisms, with demonstrated ability to identify defects and determine their likely materials or process origins.
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Strong knowledge of semiconductor devices and manufacturing processes, preferably compound semiconductor lasers, including epitaxy, e-beam lithography, photolithography, wet and dry etching, PVD, CVD, metallization, and epitaxial regrowth.
Preferred Experience
Experience with InP, InGaAs, InGaAsP, DFB lasers, EMLs, quantum-well structures, buried heterostructures, and semiconductor laser failure analysis is highly desirable.
Location
Sugar Land, Texas — On-site.
WHY AOI?
In addition to competitive salary, AOI offers
- Flexible and competitive health (medical, dental, vision) plans offer the employee with the right options to meet individual and family needs
- Employer matching on 401(k) deferrals
- Generous PTO policy, with unused PTO payout at end of the year
- Relocation package available within US
- Immigration sponsorships (Must be currently authorized to work in the US)
Skills Required
- Ph.D. in Materials Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, plus 5 or more years of relevant industrial experience; equivalent industrial experience may be accepted.
- Recognized expertise and deep hands-on experience with FIB, SEM, EDX/EDS, TEM/STEM, HRTEM, and electron diffraction.
- Advanced FIB sample preparation experience, including plan-view TEM specimens and site-specific cross-sectional lamellae.
- Strong knowledge of crystallography, semiconductor defects, and defect-formation mechanisms.
- Ability to determine materials or process origins of defects and correlate microscopy results with device performance and manufacturing processes.
- Strong knowledge of semiconductor devices and manufacturing processes, including epitaxy, lithography, etching, deposition, metallization, and epitaxial regrowth.
- Experience with InP, InGaAs, InGaAsP, DFB lasers, EMLs, quantum-well structures, buried heterostructures, and semiconductor laser failure analysis.
What We Do
Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. | NASDAQ: AAOI AOI is a leading designer and manufacturer of fiber optic networking products. We primarily serve three growing end-markets: cable television broadband, fiber-to-the-home, and internet data centers. We are vertically integrated with a product portfolio from laser chips, components, sub-assemblies and modules, to complete turn-key equipment. All three of our end-markets are driven by bandwidth demand fueled by the growth of network connected devices, such as video traffic, cloud computing and online social networking. To address this increased demand, CATV and telecommunications service providers are investing to improve their networks in competition to deliver voice, video, and data services to their subscribers. Rising bandwidth consumption is also driving demand for higher speed server connections in the internet data center market. As a result of these trends, fiber optic networking technology has become fundamental in all three of our target markets to meet these needs. Our vertical integration, broad product lines, and in-house design capability uniquely position AOI to serve these markets and offer us the flexibility to address tomorrow's fiber optic applications. To learn more about our company and products, we invite you to visit our website. Website www.ao-inc.com Facebook tinyurl.com/ycxcsbwx Instagram tinyurl.com/rqsbpk5 Twitter tinyurl.com/rd6dtvn
