Researcher - Droplet Generation

Introduction to the job
ASML is one of the world's leading manufacturers of lithography systems that help enable Moore's Law and the creation of increasingly powerful and capable electronic devices. At our San Diego location we are renowned for developing both deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography light sources and next generation extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light sources. We are a multinational company with over 70 locations in 16 countries, headquartered in Veldhoven, the Netherlands.

The EUV lithography process begins when droplets of liquid tin are injected into the focal point of a high-powered laser, where they are vaporized/ionized to generate 13.5-nm light. The stable delivery of these droplets (in size, speed, spacing, and positioning) is accomplished via the Droplet Generator functional module. Functional development involves challenges in the fields of high-pressure mechanics, fluid dynamics, high-speed controls, surface chemistry, glasses, liquid metal interactions, and more.

The complexity of the droplet generation requirements put exciting demands on the Droplet Generation Staff Researcher, who will be working within a multidisciplinary team mastering complex engineering activities of significant technical depth related to multiple phases of the product development, including technology pathfinding, theoretical and experimental feasibility studies, design and development activities, manufacturing process development and factory introduction, problem solving and troubleshooting. Ideal candidates will be incredibly organized, have a strong knowledge of applied physics, metrology, controls, experiment design, and process development, hands-on knowledge of diverse vacuum and gas pressurized equipment, and have a genuine desire to push the boundaries of these technologies forward.

Role and responsibilities

• Guide development of high-level architecture for the formation of tin droplets in the EUV source, as well as metrology systems for measuring the performance of the system, in order to improve the EUV generation process; improve droplet formation models via experimental validation; build and maintain model improvement roadmaps.

• PhD degree in a STEM field with a minimum of 5+ years of research and development experience; MS degree with 7+ experience will be considered.
  
• Experience with semiconductor capital equipment development is a strong plus
  

• Deep understanding of scientific research methods and strong scientific curiosity
  
• Ability to clearly and logically communicate ideas and knowledge to various audiences, covering full range from understanding of large, complex systems to individual technical details.
  
• Demonstrated ability to lead a research project involving multiple stakeholders and constraints, balancing functional requirements against aggressive timelines and resource limitations.
  
• Excellent self-actuated time and task management skills with the ability to distinguish and focus on highest-impact actions.
  
• Hands-on experience with complex system design and build, including rapid prototyping, characterization and troubleshooting, and system-level demonstrations.
  
• Extensive experience with experimental data analysis and development of data analysis tools with, for instance, Matlab or Python and data acquisition systems such as NI Labview.
  
• Experience with Process Development, Design of Experiments, and Statistical Process Controls methodology.
  

• This position is located on-site in San Diego, CA . It requires onsite presence to attend in-person work-related events, trainings and meetings and to further ensure teamwork, collaboration and innovation.

• A flexible workplace arrangement may be available to employees working in roles conducive to remote work (up to two days a week).
• Routinely required to sit; walk; talk; hear; use hands to keyboard, finger, handle, and feel; stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, reach, and stretch. Occasionally required to move around the campus.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

• Must be willing to work in a clean room environment, wearing coveralls, hoods, booties, safety glasses and gloves for entire duration of shift.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee routinely is required to sit; walk; talk; hear; use hands to keyboard, finger, handle, and feel; stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, reach, and stretch.