Equipment Technician, Plasma Etching, ALE & Ion Milling, Microelectronics Research Center Full-time NEW

Equipment Technician, Plasma Etching, Ale & Ion Milling, Microelectronics Research Center

The Microelectronics Research Center (MRC) laboratories serve users from both universities and corporations across many different fields: electronics, optics, physics, chemistry and astronomy, as well as chemical, mechanical and petroleum engineering. The MRC is more than a clean room with a comprehensive set of advanced nano-fabrication equipment; it is a community of scientists who work together to build advanced technology products and knowledge.

UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage
• Retirement contributions
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid holidays

The Equipment Technician supports dry etching operations, including plasma etching, atomic layer etching (ALE), and ion milling systems. The technician assists with equipment operation, routine maintenance, and safety monitoring, with emphasis on tool readiness, diagnostics, metrology support, and hardware troubleshooting in a shared-user cleanroom environment.

Responsibilities:

• Operate and monitor dry etching equipment (e.g., RIE systems, ICP reactors, ALE modules, and ion milling tools).
• Train users in equipment operation, tool limitations, and safe use practices in accordance with approved procedures.
• Support routine etching and milling runs and collect basic metrology or performance data using tools such as profilometers, ellipsometers, SEM, and endpoint diagnostics.
• Assist engineers and researchers by ensuring tools are properly configured and operational.
• Conduct diagnostic testing and perform mechanical and electrical troubleshooting, including replacement of RF components, vacuum hardware, gas delivery components, and ion sources.
• Maintain accurate logs of equipment status, alarms, maintenance actions, and usage.
• Support tool qualification, calibration, and preventive maintenance activities.
• Safely handle toxic and corrosive process gases, including cylinder exchanges, leak checks, and alarm response, following standard operating procedures.

Required Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED
• Minimum of 4 years of skilled construction and maintenance of equipment that includes 2 years of experience in semiconductor, plasma, or ion beam processing environments.
• Familiarity with vacuum systems, RF power supplies, gas delivery systems, and cleanroom protocols.
• Basic understanding of dry etching or ion milling equipment operation and performance indicators.
• Experience working with toxic gas systems, safety interlocks, and emergency response procedures.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree in electronics, engineering technology, materials science, or a related technical field.
• Experience supporting RIE, ICP, ALE, or ion milling tools in a research or pilot-line cleanroom environment.
• Prior hands-on experience with preventive maintenance execution and component replacement.
• Experience in a shared-user academic or national laboratory facility.

Salary Range

$48,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• May work around chemical fumes
• May work around standard office conditions
• May work around chemicals
• May work around electrical and mechanical hazards
• Use of manual dexterity
• Climbing of stairs
• Climbing of ladders
• Lifting and moving
• Occasional weekend, overtime and evening work to meet deadlines
• Field work as necessary
• Cleanroom Environment
• Yellow lighting in Lithography areas
• Noisy environment

Required Materials

Please mark “yes” on the application for required materials. Failure to attach all additional materials listed may affect candidates being considered for the position.

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor.
• Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.