Solid State Physics Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Primary Responsibilities

Product-Level Technical Ownership

            Own yield, variability, and device performance across all manufacturing stages for assigned products.

            Lead deep technical investigations into complex yield limiters involving epitaxy, wafer processing, device architecture, inspection, and test systems.

            Develop physics-based hypotheses and validate them through structured DOE, statistical modeling, and experimental execution.

            Drive yield recovery plans from problem identification through verified improvement.

            Serve as the central technical authority for product behavior across internal teams and external customers.

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Epitaxy & Reactor Expertise

            Leverage strong understanding of compound semiconductor epitaxy and epi reactor fundamentals.

            Understand critical growth parameters including temperature uniformity, V/III ratio, precursor chemistry, chamber pressure, dopant incorporation, thickness control, strain management, and defect formation mechanisms.

            Correlate epitaxial variation to downstream optical and electrical device performance.

            Partner with Epitaxy Engineering to reduce wafer-to-wafer and run-to-run variability.

            Translate device-level failures into actionable feedback for reactor and process optimization.

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Advanced Data Analytics & Modeling

            Perform deep dives into large-scale manufacturing datasets using SQL, JMP, Python, or equivalent tools.

            Develop multivariate statistical models to isolate root causes of yield loss.

            Apply regression analysis, variance decomposition, SPC, and DOE methodology.

            Build predictive models for early detection of yield excursions.

            Develop automated data analysis workflows to accelerate technical learning cycles.

            Translate raw data into defensible, physics-based conclusions.

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Wafer Process & Device Integration

            Analyze interactions between epitaxy, lithography, etch, deposition, metallization, inspection (AVI), and electrical/optical test steps.

            Identify how upstream variability propagates into final device performance.

            Provide Design-for-Manufacturability (DFM) input during new product development.

            Reduce process sensitivity through structured experimentation and device-level insight.

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New Product Introduction (NPI)

            Own yield performance during new product ramp from development into high-volume manufacturing.

            Conduct structured technical risk assessments.

            Rapidly identify and mitigate yield sensitivities during early production.

            Shorten yield learning cycles using disciplined experimentation and data-driven decisions.

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Customer & External Technical Engagement

            Serve as a primary technical interface for key customers on yield, device performance, and reliability topics.

            Present complex technical findings clearly and confidently to customer engineering and quality teams.

            Lead technical discussions during customer audits and yield reviews.

            Support joint root cause investigations and corrective action plans.

            Translate internal manufacturing data into customer-relevant performance metrics.

            Build customer trust through clear, physics-based explanations of device behavior and variability.

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What Success Looks Like

            Sustained improvement in product yield and variability across the full manufacturing flow.

            Rapid containment and permanent resolution of yield excursions.

            Successful high-yield ramp of new products into volume manufacturing.

            Strong correlation established between epitaxial behavior and device-level outcomes.

            Development of predictive models that prevent yield loss before it occurs.

            Recognition internally and externally as a technical authority on product behavior.

            Earned trust from key customers through technical rigor and consistent performance.

Education & Experience

            PhD in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Materials Science, or related discipline with strong emphasis on semiconductor device physics or relevant experience with Master/B-Eng.

            5+ years of experience in semiconductor device, product, or yield engineering in high-volume manufacturing.

            Demonstrated history of independently leading complex technical investigations and delivering measurable yield improvement.

            Experience in compound semiconductor or optoelectronic device manufacturing strongly preferred.

Required Technical Skills

            Strong foundation in solid-state physics and semiconductor device operation.

            Working knowledge of compound semiconductor epitaxy and epi reactor operation.

            Understanding of key epitaxial variables including temperature control, V/III ratio, precursor flow stability, pressure control, strain, and dopant incorporation.

            Experience correlating material-level variation to device electrical and optical performance.

            Advanced proficiency in statistical analysis and DOE methodology.

            Proficiency in JMP, Python, R, or equivalent data analysis tools.

            Strong SQL skills for querying large manufacturing databases.

            Experience with SPC, multivariate modeling, regression analysis, and variance decomposition.

            Ability to automate data extraction and analysis workflows.

            Experience presenting technical material to external customers or executive leadership.

            Ability to defend technical conclusions under scrutiny.

Personal Attributes

            Intellectual curiosity and comfort operating in ambiguous technical environments.

            High ownership mindset and accountability for outcomes.

            Ability to challenge assumptions with data and physics-based reasoning.

            Strong cross-functional influence skills.

            Clear and confident communicator in both technical and customer-facing settings.

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company's values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

Integrity - Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration - Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability - Own the Process and the Outcome

Respect - Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm - Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!
Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.