Principal Materials and Failure Analysis Engineer (SIMS)

Job Description

Job Description

Work Setting: Hybrid schedule in Sherman, TX

Compensation : $120,000

Bonus: 16% annual bonus paid each August based on company performance

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401(k), employee stock purchase program, paid time off, and comprehensive employee benefits package

Relocation: Relocation assistance available

Work Authorization: Qualified candidates requiring a TN-1 visa or H-1B transfer are encouraged to apply. New H-1B sponsorship is not available for this opportunity.

Position Summary

A global leader in photonics and semiconductor technology is seeking a Principal Materials & Failure Analysis Engineer (SIMS) to establish and lead a brand-new Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) laboratory supporting advanced semiconductor manufacturing and R&D.

This is a rare opportunity to build a world-class analytical capability from the ground up. The successful candidate will serve as the site's SIMS subject matter expert, leading laboratory setup, process development, equipment qualification, method development, and workflow implementation while supporting Manufacturing, Epitaxy, Product Engineering, Quality, and R&D teams.

The ideal candidate combines deep SIMS expertise with a passion for building new capabilities, solving complex materials challenges, and driving meaningful improvements in product performance, yield, and reliability.

What You'll Do

• Lead the design, installation, qualification, and launch of a new SIMS laboratory

• Develop SIMS workflows, analytical methods, calibration procedures, and operating standards

• Perform and interpret SIMS analysis, including dopant profiling, contamination analysis, depth profiling, and materials characterization

• Support manufacturing, epitaxy, product engineering, quality, and R&D teams with advanced materials characterization and failure analysis

• Drive root cause investigations using SIMS and complementary analytical techniques

• Partner with Equipment Engineering and Facilities teams to maximize instrument reliability and laboratory performance

• Mentor and train a technician while helping establish long-term laboratory capabilities

• Present technical findings and recommendations to engineering leadership and internal customers

What You Bring

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline

• Hands-on experience performing Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) analysis (required)

• Strong background in semiconductor materials characterization and failure analysis

• Experience developing analytical methods, laboratory processes, and standardized workflows

• Knowledge of semiconductor processing, thin films, epitaxy, or optoelectronic materials

• Strong data analysis, statistical methods, and technical problem-solving skills

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate across engineering organizations

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with advanced analytical techniques such as SEM, FIB, TEM, EDX, XPS, AFM, or related methods

• Background supporting semiconductor, photonics, or optoelectronics manufacturing

• Experience with MOCVD, MBE, thin-film deposition, or epitaxial growth technologies

• Knowledge of DOE, SPC, JMP, regression analysis, and statistical process improvement

• Experience establishing or expanding laboratory capabilities

• Previous mentoring or technical leadership experience

 Why This Opportunity

• Rare opportunity to build and lead a brand-new SIMS laboratory from the ground up

• Become the site's recognized technical expert for SIMS and advanced materials characterization

• High-visibility role supporting manufacturing, R&D, quality, and product engineering

• Opportunity to influence next-generation semiconductor and photonics technologies

• Collaborative, long-tenured engineering team focused on solving meaningful technical challenges

• Strong relocation support, annual bonus opportunity, and long-term career growth within a global technology leader