Semiconductor Equipment Support Technologist / Senior Semiconductor Equipment Support Technologist

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Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability.

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We have an opening for a Semiconductor Equipment Support Technologist or Senior Semiconductor Equipment Support Technologist for the Equipment and Technical Support Team within the Center for Micro and Nano Technology (CMNT). You will provide hands-on maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, installation, and reliability improvement of semiconductor manufacturing and metrology equipment in support of research and development activities in a multi-user cleanroom environment. You will diagnose and restore equipment inside the cleanroom, and this role is well suited for a technologist who enjoys understanding how complex tools work, takes pride in tool performance and uptime, and can balance troubleshooting with timely escalation to support original equipment manufacturers or vendors. The team supports approximately 200 nanofabrication and metrology tools, and this position is in the Materials Engineering Division (MED), within the Engineering Directorate.

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

This position will be filled at either level depending on your qualifications. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if you are selected at the higher level.

You will

• Provide general hands-on electro-mechanical support for the setup, maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, installation, removal, and decommissioning of semiconductor manufacturing and metrology equipment, including photolithography, thin film deposition, plasma etching, wet processing, metrology, and related support systems.
• Diagnose failures and performance issues involving vacuum hardware, pumps, valves, gas delivery, pneumatics, fluid systems, RF and power-delivery subsystems, motion systems, robotic or stage mechanisms, sensors, interlocks, electrical assemblies, board-level electronics, PLCs, HMIs, software interfaces, and industrial or networked communications including CAN, Modbus, and Ethernet.
• Interpret mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, manuals, alarm histories, service notes, PLC I/O, and data logs to determine root cause and corrective action.
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance, chamber cleaning and rebuilds, calibrations, recommissioning, upgrades, installations, and equipment recovery activities.
• Work safely in a Class 100 cleanroom and related support spaces while following requirements for hazardous chemicals, compressed and toxic gases, vacuum, high voltage, RF power, laser, and other hazards as applicable.
• Write clear maintenance notes, concise user-facing status updates, vendor correspondence, and SOPs or maintenance procedures that help the team troubleshoot consistently and communicate effectively.
• Track, organize, and recommend spare parts and critical components to reduce downtime, improve repair readiness, and support long-term tool reliability.
• Work effectively in a multidisciplinary environment with users, technicians, engineers, EH&S partners, service providers, and vendors; balance changing priorities; proactively identify work that needs attention; and own assigned problems to closure.
• Support broader facility technical operations and perform other duties as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities at the 533.3 Level

• Independently lead root-cause diagnosis and repair of complex tool problems that span multiple subsystems, ambiguous failure modes, or repeated recurrences.
• Plan and lead equipment installations, upgrades, rebuilds, and reliability improvements; develop or refine maintenance, recovery, and troubleshooting procedures.
• Provide technical leadership by mentoring others, sharing troubleshooting methodology, and helping establish best practices for documentation, repair quality, and equipment care.
• Identify when escalation to OEMs or vendors will materially reduce downtime and coordinate those engagements effectively.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. Citizenship.
• Associate degree in engineering, mechatronics, electronics, instrumentation, vacuum, or mechanical technology, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Intermediate and fundamental mechanical troubleshooting skills and understanding of electrical troubleshooting for complex electro-mechanical equipment.
• Experience troubleshooting and repairing moderately complex equipment in semiconductor manufacturing, metrology, vacuum systems, industrial automation, scientific instrumentation, or a closely related technical environment.
• Ability to interpret mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, manuals, and service documentation.
• Experience using standard diagnostic tools and safely working around electrical, mechanical, and vacuum systems.
• Experience making independent decisions toward resolution of technical problems while recognizing when to consult teammates or engage OEM support.
• Effective written verbal and presentation communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly with technical users, researchers, vendors, and teammates and to produce concise written documentation.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment with many simultaneous tasks and occasional priority pivots.
• Intermediate knowledge of standard office computer software and maintenance documentation practices necessary to produce clear updates, procedures, and records.

Additional Qualifications at the 533.3 Level

• Advanced ability to independently troubleshoot complex mechanical, electrical, vacuum, controls, software, and networking problems and implement durable solutions.
• Significant hands-on experience with semiconductor manufacturing or metrology equipment, or similarly complex high-vacuum and automated systems.
• Experience with board-level electrical troubleshooting, signal tracing, electrical I/O diagnosis, PLCs, HMIs, motion control, and industrial communications.
• Ability to create or revise complex procedures, engineering notes, SOPs, sketches, drawings, and maintenance documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead repairs, coordinate vendors or OEMs effectively, and mentor less-experienced staff.
• Experience planning, leading, and executing complex, long-term technical tasks involving the coordination of personnel, resources, and procurements, such as the installation of a new instrument.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience with semiconductor manufacturing and metrology equipment.
• Experience working in cleanroom operations or a shared-user facility.
• Experience with high-vacuum systems, pumps, chambers, gas handling, chillers, RF power delivery, and materials compatibility or cleanliness-sensitive assemblies.
• Experience with CAN, Modbus, Ethernet, or other industrial or network communications used in complex equipment.
• Experience with board-level troubleshooting, oscilloscope use, soldering or rework, or similar electrical diagnostics.
• Experience with motion systems, robotics, aligners or stages, and other precision mechatronic subsystems.
• Experience with toxic gas systems and other hazardous process support infrastructure.
• Experience with spare-parts strategy, preventative maintenance programs, and equipment reliability improvement.
• Demonstrated initiative, strong ownership, meticulous troubleshooting, and consistent follow-through.
• Experience with microfabrication and a record of sustained hands-on technical learning through prior roles, projects, or other relevant experience.

Pay Range

$43.55 - $63.97 Hourly

$43.55 - $53.36 Hourly for the 533.2 level

$52.23 - $63.97 Hourly for the 533.3 level

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

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Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• FlexibleBenefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visithttps://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.If you are selected, wewill initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if youmeet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

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Ifyou useamedical device, whichpairs with a mobile device,you must still follow the rules concerningthe mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities requireseparate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

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