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# Applications Scientist, Semi

- **Company:** Rigaku Americas Corp
- **Location:** Sunnyvale, CA, United States
- **Experience:** Experienced
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Data Analysis, Application Notes, Big Data, Statistical Process Control (SPC)
- **Published:** August 1, 2026
- **Apply:** https://diversityjobs.com/main/sendform/8/8/28176/1/17767907?backUrl=%2Fcareer%2F17767907%2FApplications-Scientist-Semi-California-Sunnyvale

## About the Role

* Ph.D or M.S. in Material Science, Physics, Chemistry, Solid State, or related engineering fields.
 * Minimum of three years of work experience as an applications scientist or applications engineer in a semiconductor metrology tool manufacturer or as a process engineer in a semiconductor device manufacturer with thin film quality control/metrology experience.
 * Handson experience with Xray analytical techniques (T-SAXS, GI-SAXS, XRD, XRR, XRF, or related) or optical methods (OCD).
 * Experience with model-based fitting approaches to analyze complex datasets.
 * Strong understanding of fundamentals of X-ray physics, spectroscopy, diffraction and scattering.
 * Strong understanding of semiconductor device manufacturing process.
 * Excellent analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, e.g. root cause analysis, 5 Whys.
 * Proficient in data analysis techniques and skills, including a working knowledge of statistics and statistical process control.
 * Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing in English. Ability to speak at an intermediate level in Japanese, Chinese, Korean, or Hebrew is a plus.
 * Excellent written and verbal technical communication skills.
 * Ability to travel up to 30% with occasional international travel.
 * U.S. Citizenship or U.S. Permanent Resident status required.

## Description

* Serve as the primary onsite T-SAXS technical contact for a key customer account, responding quickly to support needs and new measurement requirements.
 * Implement advanced fitting approaches for challenging semiconductor structures, including memory and advanced logic.
 * Translate customer process requirements into robust, productionready recipes that deliver consistent, highconfidence results.
 * Develop robust measurement workflows that ensure repeatability, sensitivity, and stability across varying process conditions.
 * Provide local, handson support for T-SAXS metrology tools, including installation support, tool startup, calibration, and routine operational checks.
 * Diagnose and resolve measurement, modeling, and dataquality issues in collaboration with customer and Rigaku engineering teams.
 * Monitor tool performance, identify trends, and recommend corrective actions to maintain tool stability and uptime.
 * Assist customers with recipe development, tool operation, and data analysis, both remotely and onsite.
 * Write technical documentation and application notes, and create and maintain training material. Clearly and effectively communicate highly technical subject matter to a variety of audiences.
 * Some travel to customer sites located primarily within the United States, but with occasional international trips.


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