Fab Technician 1

Job Description

Under supervision, operates and supports MOCVD manufacturing processes in a semiconductor cleanroom environment. Performs routine wafer handling, equipment checks, recipe execution, production tracking, data recording, preventive maintenance support, and shift passdown activities while following documented procedures, safety requirements, cleanroom protocols, and quality standards. Escalates abnormalities promptly to supervision, engineering, maintenance, or safety contacts to protect personnel, equipment, product quality, and schedule commitments.

This department is a 24/7 operation.  Candidates must be flexible in working weekend and night shifts as appropriate.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The following list of duties and responsibilities represents the essential functions of the job. An employee may be required to perform additional duties not listed below on an occasional or frequent basis.

1. Change into cleanroom garments and required PPE per standard operating procedures so cleanroom standards, contamination control, and personal safety requirements are met.
2. Clean and maintain work surfaces, wafer handling tools, vacuum wands, transfer fixtures, carriers, load stations, wet benches, and related MOCVD support areas per procedure or whenever contamination is suspected, so risk of particle or product contamination is controlled.
3. Complete assigned lab tasks, daily equipment checks, chamber/support-area cleaning, consumable checks, and scheduled preventive maintenance support for MOCVD tools and associated equipment.
4. Record production, PM, metrology, recipe, lot, gas, chemical, material, and equipment status data in required systems and logs so process quality, traceability, and equipment readiness can be monitored.
5. Communicate clearly and promptly so questions, abnormalities, and handoff items are identified and addressed in a timely manner.
   1. Review and provide verbal shift overlap with operators, technicians, engineers, and supervisors as needed.
   2. Read, write, and send accurate shift passdown covering tool status, lot status, open issues, safety concerns, material needs, and next steps.
   3. Notify supervisor, engineering, maintenance, facilities, or ERT contacts of process problems, tool alarms, safety issues, low gases or chemicals, leaks, abnormal tool conditions, wafer damage, or any area of concern.
6. Perform required pre-run checks per standard operating procedures before processing product so misprocessing, contamination, and unsafe operation are avoided:
   1. Verify MOCVD tool status, chamber readiness, interlocks, alarms, room conditions, chiller status, and required utilities/gases are within acceptable limits.
   2. Confirm the lot is tracked in the applicable manufacturing execution system before processing.
   3. Verify the previous process step is complete, the traveler is current, and the correct recipe, run conditions, and tool are selected.
   4. Verify wafer identification, lot number, carrier, quantity, orientation, and traveler information match before loading.
7. Handle, load, unload, and transfer wafers carefully using approved tools and procedures so wafers are not broken, scratched, contaminated, misidentified, or misprocessed.
8. Execute assigned MOCVD production activities such as wafer preparation support, recipe loading/running, growth monitoring, run completion checks, wafer inspection support, and post-run documentation in accordance with approved procedures.
9. Assist engineers, maintenance personnel, and experienced operators with troubleshooting support, chamber-related tasks, consumable changes, inventory checks, and continuous improvement activities within training and authorization limits.
10. Prior to the end of shift, organize the work area, update passdown, place work in a safe and clear handoff condition, clean tables and workstations, clear clutter, return tools/materials to proper locations, and communicate open items to the next operator.
11. Follow all quality, safety, environmental, attendance, cleanroom, chemical handling, gas safety, wafer handling, and company policies as specified in procedures, training, permits, or other applicable requirements so personnel safety, product quality, productivity, and compliance standards are met.

Qualifications

Experience/Performance

• Minimum 2 years of semiconductor manufacturing, cleanroom, wafer fabrication, or related technical manufacturing experience preferred; MOCVD, epitaxy, high-vacuum equipment, or compound semiconductor experience is a plus.
• Education: High School diploma or equivalent required; technical certificate or Associate degree in Electronics, Semiconductor Technology, Manufacturing Technology, or related field preferred.
• Able to read, write, speak, and understand English; able to perform basic math and accurately complete production records, travelers, logs, and system transactions.

Skills - Able to:

• Follow written procedures, manufacturing travelers, recipes, safety instructions, and verbal direction with strong attention to detail.
• Learn and perform MOCVD operating procedures, including pre-run checks, wafer loading/unloading, recipe execution, chamber support tasks, and basic equipment care.
• Use applicable Manufacturing Execution System transactions, WipTrac entries, production schedules, metrology records, and maintenance logs accurately and on time.
• Demonstrate basic computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook/Teams, database entry, and electronic passdown communication.
• Monitor MOCVD-related process indicators such as room conditions, chiller status, gas pressures, chemical/material levels, recipe status, alarms, and equipment readiness.
• Communicate clearly during shift passdown and promptly escalate safety, quality, process, equipment, gas, chemical, or facilities concerns to supervision, engineering, maintenance, or ERT contacts as required.
• Work assigned shifts, weekends, overtime, and schedule changes as needed to support 24/7 manufacturing and MOCVD growth demand.

Physical - Able to:

• Meet vision standards required for wafer handling, visual inspection, labeling, and identification verification.
• Sit, stand, walk, bend, and work in cleanroom garments for extended periods.
• Lift, carry, push, or pull up to 25 pounds as required for materials, tools, carriers, and cleanroom supplies.
• Demonstrate manual dexterity for wafer handling, use of tweezers/vacuum wands, small tools, load/unload activities, and equipment interface operation.

Working Conditions

• Cleanroom and controlled manufacturing environment supporting semiconductor wafer processing and epitaxial growth.
• Requires use of cleanroom garments and personal protective equipment, including smocks, chemical gowns, safety glasses, gloves, face shields, respirator-related controls if applicable, and other required PPE.
• May be exposed to or required to work around hazardous chemicals, metal-organic sources, process gases, hydride gases, compressed gas systems, and chemical delivery systems.
• May be exposed to equipment hazards, vacuum systems, high-temperature components, radiation sources, alarms, and controlled access areas.
• May be exposed to extreme temperatures, noise, exhaust systems, wet benches, and other manufacturing support equipment.
• This department is a 24/7 operation.  Candidates must be flexible in working weekend and night shifts as appropriate.

Additional Information

The expected annual pay range for this position is $35,000 - $43,700. This position is also eligible for   bonus opportunities and commission pay.  Please note that the final offer amount will be dependent on geographic location, applicable experience, and skillset of the candidate. 

Renesas offers a full range of elective benefits including medical, health savings account (with applicable medical plan), dental, vision, health and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts, pre-tax commuter benefits, life insurance, AD&D, and pet insurance. In addition to elective benefit options, benefited employees receive company-paid life insurance and AD&D, LTD, short term medical benefits as well as paid sick time, paid holidays, and accrued paid vacation. New employees will attend a detailed benefit orientation to learn more about our many benefits and resources. 

Renesas is an embedded semiconductor solution provider driven by its Purpose, To Make Our Lives Easier. With a global team of over 21,000 engineers and problem solvers in more than 30 countries, we offer the opportunity to work on world‑leading technology for Automotive, Industrial, Infrastructure, and IoT, shaping a safer, healthier, greener, and smarter future.

At Renesas, TAGIE is our culture, grounded in being Transparent, Agile, Global, Innovative, and Entrepreneurial. It shapes how we work, grow and deliver on our purpose together. This collaborative spirit and mindset drive our semiconductor technology to transform industries and impact millions of lives.

We believe in rewarding our employees with a competitive benefits package alongside their salary. More information will be provided during the hiring process.

Are you ready to join our team and shape the future with us?

Renesas Electronics is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, committed to supporting diversity and fostering a work environment free of discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, military status, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. For more information, please read our Diversity & Inclusion Statement.

Renesas Electronics deals with dual-use technology that is subject to U.S. export controls regulations. Under these regulations it may be necessary for Renesas to obtain U.S. government export license prior to release of technology to certain persons. The decision whether or not to file or pursue an export license application is at the sole discretion of Renesas.