Tool Development Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

About Veeco
You probably don't realize it, but what we do at Veeco touches the lives of every person, every day. It's a bold statement, but it's true. From the smartphones in our pockets that access the world's collective knowledge, to the cloud-based services where all that information lives, to high-speed wireless communication and computing power needed to drive artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, gaming and so much more, our technology is all around us. 
 

We design, develop, manufacture, and service highly complex, cutting-edge machines used by our customers to create the essential devices that drive the digital age, connect the world, and improve the human experience. Along with the world's leading technology companies, many of which are household names, we help solve their most difficult material science challenges, enabling technologies for a more connected, sustainable, and convenient world.
 

We're looking for material difference-makers to join our growing team. Interested? Learn more at www.veeco.com/careers.

Overview:

Veeco's San Jose, CA, Applications Lab partners with the world's leading semiconductor manufacturers to demonstrate and advance next-generation technologies in Laser Spike Annealing (LSA), Next-Generation Spike Annealing (NSA), and Advanced Packaging (AP) lithography. These processes enable cutting-edge logic, advanced chip packaging, and AI system performance on which industry leaders rely.

As a Process Development Engineer, you will play a customer-facing, hands-on role: running demos, validating processes, and translating customer requirements into documented solutions. Working directly with sophisticated semiconductor equipment, you will execute experiments, monitor results, and ensure systems meet strict performance standards. This role is ideal for an Engineer who thrives equally in the lab and in cross-functional collaboration-bridging customers, R&D, and applications engineering to advance Veeco's industry-leading solutions.

Responsibilities:

• Operate and maintain Veeco semiconductor processing equipment during customer demos and internal process evaluations.
• Perform system setup, calibration, and baseline verification to ensure equipment meets performance specifications prior to demonstration or data collection.
• Plan and execute engineering experiments, including recipe development, process adjustments, and data collection per defined objectives.
• Monitor and analyze results in real time; use statistical process control (SPC) and other methods to validate stability and repeatability.
• Generate clear, data-backed reports using MS Excel and PowerPoint to communicate findings to both internal teams and customers.
• Perform metrology and visual inspections on processed wafers; record measurements and observations accurately in logs and databases.
• Perform basic tool diagnosis and collaborate with engineering teams and suppliers to maintain tool performance and resolve issues quickly.
• Ensure compliance with all safety and cleanroom standards, maintaining documentation and adherence to Veeco's EH&S policies.

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, or related technical field and 2+ years of related experience is required. Wafer processing experience in a fab, equipment manufacturer, or applications lab environment and practical experience operating and troubleshooting complex semiconductor capital equipment are strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Proficiency with MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) for data reporting and analysis.
• Strong documentation skills and familiarity with SPC concepts or statistical analysis methods.
• Excellent team orientation and communication skills to work effectively with customers and internal engineering teams.
• Exposure to semiconductor front-end or advanced packaging processes such as annealing, deposition, etch, or lithography.
• Hands-on familiarity with metrology tools and process monitoring techniques.
• Ability to work independently on complex experiments while maintaining disciplined record-keeping under time-sensitive conditions.
• Problem-solving mindset: capable of identifying process excursions and implementing corrective actions.

Salary and Benefits
The expected salary range for this position is $90,000-$116,000, plus a bonus opportunity. We will consider your location, experience, and other job-related factors when determining your pay. If your salary requirements exceed the advertised range and you remain interested in Veeco, we encourage you to apply or email your resume to recruiting@veeco.com.

Other benefits include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Holiday, Vacation, and Sick Time
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Commuter Benefits
• Life and Accident Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Identity Theft Remediation
• Emergency Travel Assistance

Veeco is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected characteristics. Veeco is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.

Notice to Applicants:
All communication about open positions and hiring will come from someone with a @veeco.com email address. You will always have multiple interviews and meet several team members (in-person or virtually) before we present an offer. We may also check references or conduct a background investigation as part of the offer process. We will never ask you for money for any reason, especially to send equipment or for pre-employment training. If you have any questions or concerns, or if someone has reached out to you and you think it might be a scam, please get in touch with us at recruiting@veeco.com.