Senior Field Applications Engineer

INFICON is a leading provider of innovative instrumentation, critical sensor technologies, and Smart Manufacturing/Industry 4.0 software solutions that enhance productivity and quality of tools, processes, and complete factories. These analysis, measurement and control products are essential for gas leak detection in air conditioning/refrigeration and automotive manufacturing. They are vital to equipment manufacturers and end-users in the complex fabrication of semiconductors and thin film coatings for optics, flat panel displays, solar cells and industrial vacuum coating applications. Other users of our vacuum-based processes include the life sciences, research, aerospace, packaging, heat treatment, laser cutting and many other industrial processes. We also leverage our expertise in vacuum technology to provide unique, toxic chemical analysis products for emergency response, security, and environmental health and safety.

Job Description

The Senior Field Applications Engineer is the advanced technical practitioner of the Applications Engineering team, specializing in first-of-a-kind (FoaK) installations, demo execution, and complex multi-site deployments. This role operates with significant autonomy, owns demo programs as project manager, and functions as the primary technical mentor for Field Applications Engineers. The Senior FAE is the key technical delivery resource for strategic applications activities before they are transitioned into the Customer Engineering team.

This is a hybrid, field-based position primarily based out of Manassas, VA. Employees will primarily work remotely (outside of an INFICON office) while traveling to customer sites as needed (including a customer site in Manassas a couple days a week) to support business objectives and build customer relationships . 

Core Responsibilities  

• Own first-of-a-kind (FoaK) product installations end-to-end — from site preparation and scoping through qualification and customer sign-off. 

• Serve as project manager and primary technical owner for customer demos: define success criteria, manage timeline and resources, execute the installation and DOE, analyze data, and deliver results to customer engineering teams. 

• Design and lead DOE (design of experiment) activities in collaboration with customers and INFICON R&D teams. 

• Drive cross-site standardization and SOP leadership for fleet-wide deployments across multiple customer facilities. 

• Manage complex multi-site installation and qualification projects, including schedule, resource coordination, and customer communications. 

• Present demo results and technical findings to customer section managers and engineering teams. 

• Contribute to 1–2 major strategic projects per year (new product evaluations, pathfinding activities, cross-functional initiatives). 

• Mentor and develop Field Applications Engineers through direct coaching, technical guidance, and collaborative project work. 

• Identify and surface customer pain points and application opportunities to the Lead Engineer and Customer Engineering team. 

Qualifications

Required

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field. 

• 4–7 years of field applications or systems engineering experience in the semiconductor or instrumentation industry. 

• Demonstrated experience owning complex technical projects from initiation through customer sign-off. 

• Experience presenting technical findings to customer engineering teams and first-line management. 

• Strong data analysis and technical presentation skills. 

• Willingness and ability to travel up to 70% domestically, with occasional international travel. 

Preferred

Qualifications

• Deep expertise in at least one INFICON product line (RGA, LD, FabGuard, VCP, IMS). 

• Experience with semiconductor process applications (etch, deposition, EUV, advanced packaging, PVD/CVD). 

• Demonstrated ability to design and execute DOEs in a production fab environment. 

• Cross-regional or multi-site customer experience (e.g., copy-exact deployments spanning US and APAC or EMEA sites). 

Key Competencies  

• Expert product and process knowledge (hardware and software) 

• Demo and project ownership — end to end 

• Data analysis and customer-facing technical presentations 

• Mentoring and team knowledge transfer 

• Consultative communication with engineering management 

Physical & Travel Requirements  

Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. Ability to work in cleanroom environments. Frequent domestic and occasional international travel required. 

Additional Information

Total on target compensation:  $100,000 – $150,000 

Your total cash compensation is structured for performance and growth, with earning potential that includes a base salary of $80,000 – $120,000 , in addition to a commission + profit sharing model for an additional 20% target of your total compensation. Additional benefits include an 8% 401k match, potential car and remote allowances, and a comprehensive benefits package. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law.

This is a hybrid, field-based position. Employees will primarily work remotely while also traveling to customer sites as needed to support business objectives and build customer relationships .

INFICON provides a dynamic work environment that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our employees experience ongoing green initiatives, flexible work hours, and a variety of health and wellness programs.

INFICON’s forward-thinking approach offers countless opportunities to design, support, and manufacture a diverse product portfolio that expands globally. Our Lean and Agile work environment offers competitive compensation, relocation assistance, a discretionary bonus, and generous employee benefits; major medical, dental, health, vision, 401K, vacation and sick time, tuition reimbursement, and more!

INFICON is committed to ensuring that our online application process provides an equal opportunity to all job seekers that apply without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, gender, age, protected veteran status, disability status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. A notice describing Federal equal employment opportunity laws is available here to reaffirm this commitment. Any contact that would like to request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact View email address on click.appcast.io .

INFICON, Inc. strictly complies with all aspects of the Export Administration Regulations ('EAR'), including those sections dealing with deemed exports to foreign nationals.