Field Service Engineer I

Field Service Engineer - Plasma Technology

 

Why Oxford Instruments?

Our purpose is to accelerate the breakthroughs that create a brighter future for our world. Our technology and scientific expertise enable our customers to discover and bring to market exciting new advances that drive human progress. We aim to be the scientific instrumentation partner in every significant lab and production facility across the world. Our people and culture are vital to our success. We strive to offer the opportunities that will attract, engage, motivate and develop the very best talent. This involves creating an inclusive environment and culture where difference is valued and people are recognised for what they deliver and bring to the team.

 

We want to empower our employees so that they innovate, support our growth and improve our productivity. We support them to make the right decisions and reach their full potential as they develop their careers at OI. Our ways of working are lived every day and are as follows:

 

• We start with the customer
• We succeed by being focused
• We make and keep our promises
• We work together as one team
• We help and trust each other to succeed

 

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the US. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment Visa at this time.

 

Location

REMOTE – North America -based –California, USA (Bay Area) . Candidates must reside within reasonable travel time (typically 60 minutes) of a major airport to support frequent weekday travel to customer sites.

The Role

Represent Oxford Instruments by delivering world-class technical support, installation, and maintenance for plasma etch and deposition systems (e.g., PlasmaPro, FlexAL, Estrelas etcher). This role demands a hands-on problem solver with strong technical acumen, clear communication skills, and a proactive mindset. You’ll collaborate across teams, escalate issues when needed, and maintain detailed documentation to support continuous improvement. With extensive travel across customer sites, you’ll play a critical role in driving customer satisfaction and advancing cutting-edge semiconductor technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• System Installation & Commissioning Lead the installation and commissioning of advanced plasma etch and deposition systems (RIE, CVD, ICP, ICPCVD, ALE, ALD), ensuring full compliance with customer specifications, cleanroom standards, and process readiness.

• Preventive & Corrective Maintenance Execute scheduled and emergency maintenance with precision. Diagnose root causes beyond surface-level symptoms and validate repairs against stringent vacuum tolerances, leak-up rates, and process benchmarks.

• Customer Engagement & Technical Training Build trust and long-term relationships through responsive communication and hands-on training. Empower customers to operate and maintain systems confidently across key processes.

• Advanced Troubleshooting Resolve complex hardware, and software issues using specialized tools (vacuum leak detectors, RF power meters, DVMs, LCR meters, multimeters). Provide remote support when needed to minimize downtime and maximize uptime.

• Calibration & System Upgrades Calibrate critical components (AMUs, RF Generators, APCs, MFCs) and implement performance-enhancing upgrades (turbo pumps, PLCs, breakers) to ensure optimal system reliability and throughput.

Required Qualifications & Experience• Education & Industry Background
o Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
o Equivalent hands-on experience in semiconductor equipment service may substitute.
o 3–5 years of field service experience in the semiconductor industry, with a focus on plasma etch and deposition systems.
o Familiarity with cleanroom operations and safety protocols.
• Vacuum & Power Systems
o Hands-on experience with vacuum technologies: turbo pumps, cryo pumps, roughing pumps.
o Skilled in troubleshooting 208V electrical systems and 24V control subsystems

Experience with RF power components and pneumatically driven
• Diagnostics & Technical Toolso Proficient with diagnostic instruments:
 Vacuum leak detectors
 RF power meters
 DVMs, LCR meters, multimeters, megohm meters

o Ability to read and interpret mechanical, pneumatic, and electrical schematics and plumbing diagrams.• Process Knowledgeo Strong u