Staff Engineer, Equipment Development, DIFI

In this role, you'll innovate and optimize 3D NAND equipment, collaborating closely with suppliers and leading complex projects to enhance equipment technology for technical advantage and cost efficiency. You'll work with process development peers to determine equipment technology choices, oversee tool installation and qualification, and manage development projects while maintaining comprehensive documentation and ensuring safety compliance. Strong communication and collaboration skills are crucial, as you'll build relationships with partners both locally and globally, providing technical insights and updates to senior management. With 2-3 years of semiconductor industry experience, you'll be self-motivated and adaptable to a fast-paced environment, prioritizing and managing multiple projects to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence. Adherence to Micron's Intellectual Property protection policy is essential.

Job Responsibilities

Equipment Development:

• Drive Equipment innovation by developing and optimizing new and existing equipment hardware from concept to implementation to meet technological and productivity requirement of the advanced 3D NAND working closely with Suppliers.

• Lead team or sites or suppliers on complex projects in focused meetings with end goal of maturity an equipment technology in record times for technical advantage, cost and productivity.

• Collaborate with Process development peers on deciding equipment technology choices for advanced nodes and translate future technology needs into clear equipment requirements.

• Serve as a technical expert within Micron, provide advice and recommendations to senior management on improvements from equipment development. Lead and initiate innovation projects through patents/technical papers.

Process Optimization:

• Collaborate with PDE (Process Dev Team) to realize process benefits of equipment/CIP hardware

• Conduct thorough analysis and troubleshooting to build fundamental understanding/model of root cause to resolve equipment-related issues, ensuring continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Tool Installation and Qualification:

• Oversee the installation, qualification, and commissioning of industry FOAK tools or CIP hardware evaluations, ensuring they meet all specified requirements and standards for the next node of 3D NAND Technology

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams not limited to facilities and layout team to plan and execute tool installations, minimizing downtime and ensuring smooth transitions.

• Integrate tool data into Micron software and systems for alarms, process control and equipment monitoring

Project Management:

• Manage equipment development projects, including budgeting, scheduling, and resource allocation, to ensure timely and successful project delivery.

• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to align project goals and deliverables with organizational objectives.

• Support site to site portability

• Collaborate with teams to lead and participate in in continuous yield improvement and cost reduction.

Documentation and Compliance:

• Maintain comprehensive documentation for all equipment development activities as needed

• Identify and resolve safety hazards; follow safety procedures including lockout, chemical safety, lifting techniques and ergonomically correct methods.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Foster strong relationships with suppliers, vendors, and cross-functional teams to support equipment development and sourcing initiatives.

• Communicate effectively with team members, stakeholders, and management to provide updates on project progress and technical insights. Strict adherence to Micron Intellectual Property protection policy is a must.

• Participate with Boise TD equipment development peers on technology choices for the upcoming nodes and able to translate future technology needs into clear equipment requirements.

AI Responsibilities:

• Integrates AI-assisted tools and insights into daily work to improve efficiency, quality, or effectiveness, exercising sound judgment and complying with organizational standards and legal requirements.

• Contributes to a culture of continuous improvement by identifying, testing, and sharing AI-enabled enhancements within one’s scope of work.

Requirements

• Strong curiosity and interest in fundamental understanding of Equipment working principles and modeling.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical/Electronic, or Material Science along with >/= 3 years of relevant experience, or a PhD in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical/Electronic, or Material Science.

• A minimum of 2-3 years of experience in the semiconductor industry in the area of equipment engineer roles.

• In-depth understanding of the equipment operation, working principles, troubleshooting and tool installation procedure is a must. 

• Exposure to R&D equipment transfer and ability to develop/optimize equipment hardware design is preferred.

• Communications and collaboration with partners both locally and globally.  Strict adherence to Micron Intellectual Property protection policy is a must

• Self-motivated and adaptable to Micron’s fast paced, demanding and dynamic work environment; flexibility to work for extended hours, as required.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills with ability to convey the message clearly and sharply both locally and globally. 

• Excellent ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously; efficiently utilize available resources or seek peers’ and/or management help to get over the roadblocks to drive to solutions.

• Encourage and enforce safe, compliant behavior through periodic communications and the performance management process.