Senior Materials Engineer

Introduction to the job

The mission of the Materials Engineer at ASML is to create incredible products using the latest technology and manufacturing techniques, while collaborating with a team of dedicated and high-performing technical experts. Quality is at the forefront of the engineering requirements for this group and we strive to provide the best performing and highest quality products within the scope of the program schedule.

As a Materials Engineer, you will serve as the primary materials expert within a multidisciplinary team developing advanced modules and components for the EUV Lithography Light Source. In this highly technical and collaborative role, you will guide material selections, evaluate material compatibility in extreme environments, and provide critical input to design tradeoffs. You will play a key role in failure analysis, root‑cause investigations, and ensuring long-term reliability of precision components operating under demanding thermal, mechanical, and contamination‑sensitive conditions.

This position interacts closely with design engineers, scientists, suppliers, and quality teams, and is ideal for someone who enjoys solving complex materials challenges in a fast‑paced, high‑technology environment.

Role and responsibilities

Materials Engineering & Technical Expertise

• Evaluate material compatibility within the EUV Lithography Light Source, including interactions under high temperature, vacuum, plasma, and contamination‑sensitive environments.
  
• Provide expert materials guidance to design teams throughout concept development, detailed design, and verification phases.
  
• Demonstrate strong foundational knowledge of engineering metals, including ferrous, non‑ferrous, and specialty alloys.
  
• Apply knowledge of refractory metals and their mechanical, thermal, and chemical behavior.
  
• Analyze material interactions such as corrosion, diffusion, oxidation, and multi‑material compatibility.
  

• Perform and interpret materials evaluation techniques, including hardness testing, tensile/compressive testing, fracture analysis, and metallography.
  
• Analyze material microstructures, including grain morphology, and phase distribution.
  
• Evaluate surface conditions such as roughness, contamination, and surface cleanliness.

• Lead or support structured failure analysis and root‑cause investigations.
  
• Document findings, recommendations, and mitigation strategies through clear technical reports and presentations.
  
• Relate material behavior to system-level performance and reliability.
  

• Work closely with development engineers, scientists, suppliers, and QA to resolve materials-related issues.
  
• Provide technical advisement to Project Leads and contribute to design reviews.
  
• Support project planning activities, including identification of key deliverables, timeline development, and resource/budget considerations.
  
• Present technical data and findings to diverse audiences, including engineering teams, management, and suppliers.
  
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
• Domestic and international travel up to 10%.
  

• Master's degree required in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or other related field.
  
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience.
  
• Minimum of 1 year of experience with PhD in a related field
  
• Additional experience in semiconductor or advanced manufacturing environments is a plus
  

• Strong customer focus with a commitment to quality, efficiency, and professionalism.
  
• Ability to observe, analyze, and respond effectively to people and technical situations.
  
• Strong ability to learn and apply new information, methods, and tools.
  
• Excellent attention to detail and high degree of accuracy in work output.
  
• Proven capability to perform effectively in demanding environments with shifting priorities.
  
• Demonstrated ownership, accountability, and results-driven mindset.
  
• Ability to identify bottlenecks and propose improvements.
  
• Works independently with minimal supervision and collaborates effectively within teams.
  
• Clear, concise, and professional communication skills-written and verbal.
  
• Ability to build productive working relationships across teams and disciplines.
  
• Comfortable working within strict procedures and timelines.
  

• 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.
  

• 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.