Manufacturing Test Quality Engineer IV

Applied Materials is the global leader in materials science and engineering solutions that are at the foundation of virtually every new semiconductor chip and advanced display in the world. The equipment that we create and service is essential to advancing AI and accelerating the commercialization of next-generation semiconductor chips. Join us and push the boundaries of materials science and engineering in a company at the foundation of the electronics industry. The work we do together advances the world’s technology.

Salary: $116,000.00 - $159,500.00 Location: Austin,TX You’ll benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career as you take on challenges and drive innovative solutions for our customers. We empower our team to push the boundaries of what is possible—while learning every day in a supportive leading global company. Visit our Careers website to learn more.  At Applied Materials, we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. We’re committed to providing programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth and care for you at work, at home, or wherever you may go. Learn more about our benefits .

Overview   The Manufacturing Test Quality Engineer bridges high-complexity test engineering with advanced quality assurance methodologies within the semiconductor capital equipment sector. This role is responsible for designing, validating , and optimizing production-line testing processes for complex systems (e.g., lithography, CVD, etch systems). The scope spans precision electromechanical subassemblies, high-power RF circuits, advanced vacuum systems, and ultra-precise optical paths, ensuring strict adherence to cleanroom, SEMI, and hardware reliability standards before client shipment.     Department: Operations / Quality Engineering   Reports To: Manufacturing Quality Manager   Location: Manufacturing Plant (Cleanroom-Adjacent)   Employment Type: Full-Time / Permanent   Core Responsibilities   Test Process & Hardware Development : De fine , validate , and document new manufacturing test plans, modify fixture design and diagnostic hardware interfaces during the New Product Introduction (NPI) phase.     Automated Testing Systems: Develop, pilot , and troubleshoot automated test scripts and software packages utilizing Mayan & Python to conduct automated tool-level diagnostics.   Defect Isolation & Root-Cause Analysis: Lead structured failure investigations (e.g., 8D, CAPA, 5 Whys) for structural dropouts and complex hardware failures encountered on the assembly line floor.   Yield & Metric Optimization: Continuously monitor and analyze First-Pass Yield (FPY) data, identifying trends, structural anomalies, and implementing preventative corrective actions.   Metrology & Gage R&R: Perform Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA) and Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility (Gage R&R) studies to confirm test station reliability and eliminate measurement drift.   Cleanroom & Environmental Compliance: Ensure testing protocols fully adhere to strict cleanroom contamination regulations (ISO Class 4 / Class 100 protocols) protecting delicate vacuum and optical subsystems.   Design for Testability (DFT): Partner directly with NPI Process and Hardware Design groups to integrate critical test access paths, diagnostic loops, and physical test nodes into next-generation equipment designs.   Technical Qualifications & Skills   Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering , Systems Engineering, Mechatronics, Applied Physics, or a strongly related engineering discipline.

7 - 10 + years of engineering experience working within semiconductor manufacturing, complex medical equipment manufacturing, or high-tech aerospace/capital hardware.   Subsystem Domain Knowledge: Hands-on experience diagnosing or validating high-power Radio Frequency (RF) generators, ultra-high vacuum