What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Process Engineer - Optical Fabrication position at ASML USA?
Job Summary
ASML Wilton is seeking a Senior Process Engineer to join the Optical Fabrication team with primary ownership of Generating & Polishing (GnP) processes. This role is responsible for process development, stabilization, and daily performance across grinding and polishing operations. The position requires a deep technical understanding of optical fabrication, strong analytical capability, and the ability to drive sustainable improvements in a fast-paced production environment.
The engineer will directly support output, yield, and quality targets-including improving First Pass Yield (FPY) through stable, predictable, and well controlled process behavior.
This role requires a proactive engineering mindset: anticipating issues before they impact production, driving structured 6P readiness, performing thorough RCA, and continuously evaluating new technologies and deterministic tools to strengthen long-term process control. This is not a reactive support role; the expectation is ownership, foresight, and continuous improvement.
Job Description
The Senior Process Engineer will operate as a technical leader within Optical Fabrication with end-to-end ownership of grinding and polishing processes. Responsibilities include defining and optimizing process parameters, ensuring removal rate stability, selecting consumables, and understanding machine behavior. The engineer will manage polishing performance, conditioning strategies, coolant control, and subsurface damage removal while ensuring consistent behavior across tools and shifts.
The polishing scope includes control of pitch and pad behavior, slurry delivery, plate geometry, pressure and weight control, and other factors influencing removal rate, figure, roughness, and defectivity. The PE will lead the introduction and qualification of new pad materials, slurry chemistries, pitch recipes, and machine upgrades, and will convert interferometry, profilometry, and surface inspection data into actionable decisions.
A key responsibility is establishing strong process control: defining process windows, capability targets, and long-term monitoring systems. The PE will use JMP or Minitab to identify variation, drift, and chronic stability risks, ensuring processes are robust, documented, and repeatable. This includes maintaining process specifications, work instructions, and standard work while driving alignment across production and support teams.
The engineer will collaborate daily with production technicians, supervisors, metrology, quality, equipment engineering, and maintenance, balancing immediate production needs with structured long-term improvement projects.
The Senior PE is expected to:
Build process stability that prevents rework and FPY loss
Detect and eliminate sources of variation impacting FPY and yield
Lead structured RCA using statistical and analytical methods
Ensure corrective actions are verified, embedded, and sustainable
Own full 6P readiness for process, material, or equipment changes
Beyond daily support, the engineer is expected to proactively seek, evaluate, and integrate:
deterministic process control methods
advanced metrology and insitu monitoring tools
next generation pad, pitch, slurry, and consumable technologies
equipment or software capabilities that improve stability, predictability, and throughput
Education and Experience
BS, MS, or PhD in Mechanical, Optical, Materials, or related engineering field
Minimum 5 years of experience in optical fabrication, precision machining, grinding, or polishing
Experience in grinding mechanics, polishing processes, metrology interpretation, and process development
Demonstrated ability in structured problem solving, data analysis, RCA, and process improvement
Skills
Strong understanding of grinding and polishing mechanics and material removal behavior
Proficiency with interferometry, profilometry, and surface inspection tools
Experience using JMP, Minitab, or equivalent statistical software
Strong communication, cross functional collaboration, and leadership in a production environment
Ability to manage multiple priorities under time sensitive conditions
Demonstrated capability in 6P readiness, structured RCA, and verification driven corrective action
Physical Requirements
Work includes time spent on the fabrication floor, interaction with metrology equipment, and periods of standing or walking. The role may require lifting materials up to 20 pounds. Visual acuity for inspection tasks is required. The environment includes exposure to noise, vibration, and manufacturing equipment while wearing appropriate PPE.
You must be work authorized in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship
Additional Responsibilities:
There is potential for exposure to strong magnetic fields, high voltage and currents.
This position requires access to controlled technology, as defined in the United States Export Administration Regulations (15 C.F.R. 730, et seq.). Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to access such controlled technology prior to beginning work. Business demands may require ASML to proceed with candidates who are immediately eligible to access controlled technology.
Inclusion and diversity
ASML is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that inclusion and diversity is a driving force in the success of our company.
Need to know more about applying for a job at ASML? Read our frequently asked questions.
Request an Accommodation
ASML provides reasonable accommodations to applicants for ASML employment and ASML employees with disabilities. An accommodation is a change in work rules, facilities, or conditions which enable an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform the essential functions of a job, and/or enjoy equal access to the benefits and privileges of employment. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete an application, participate in an interview, or otherwise participate in the employee pre-selection process, please send an email to to initiate the company's reasonable accommodation process.
Please note: This email address is solely intended to provide a method for applicants to initiate ASML's process to request accommodation(s). Any recruitment questions should be directed to the designated Talent Acquisition member for the position.
ASML Wilton is seeking a Senior Process Engineer to join the Optical Fabrication team with primary ownership of Generating & Polishing (GnP) processes. This role is responsible for process development, stabilization, and daily performance across grinding and polishing operations. The position requires a deep technical understanding of optical fabrication, strong analytical capability, and the ability to drive sustainable improvements in a fast-paced production environment.
The engineer will directly support output, yield, and quality targets-including improving First Pass Yield (FPY) through stable, predictable, and well controlled process behavior.
This role requires a proactive engineering mindset: anticipating issues before they impact production, driving structured 6P readiness, performing thorough RCA, and continuously evaluating new technologies and deterministic tools to strengthen long-term process control. This is not a reactive support role; the expectation is ownership, foresight, and continuous improvement.
Job Description
The Senior Process Engineer will operate as a technical leader within Optical Fabrication with end-to-end ownership of grinding and polishing processes. Responsibilities include defining and optimizing process parameters, ensuring removal rate stability, selecting consumables, and understanding machine behavior. The engineer will manage polishing performance, conditioning strategies, coolant control, and subsurface damage removal while ensuring consistent behavior across tools and shifts.
The polishing scope includes control of pitch and pad behavior, slurry delivery, plate geometry, pressure and weight control, and other factors influencing removal rate, figure, roughness, and defectivity. The PE will lead the introduction and qualification of new pad materials, slurry chemistries, pitch recipes, and machine upgrades, and will convert interferometry, profilometry, and surface inspection data into actionable decisions.
A key responsibility is establishing strong process control: defining process windows, capability targets, and long-term monitoring systems. The PE will use JMP or Minitab to identify variation, drift, and chronic stability risks, ensuring processes are robust, documented, and repeatable. This includes maintaining process specifications, work instructions, and standard work while driving alignment across production and support teams.
The engineer will collaborate daily with production technicians, supervisors, metrology, quality, equipment engineering, and maintenance, balancing immediate production needs with structured long-term improvement projects.
The Senior PE is expected to:
Build process stability that prevents rework and FPY loss
Detect and eliminate sources of variation impacting FPY and yield
Lead structured RCA using statistical and analytical methods
Ensure corrective actions are verified, embedded, and sustainable
Own full 6P readiness for process, material, or equipment changes
Beyond daily support, the engineer is expected to proactively seek, evaluate, and integrate:
deterministic process control methods
advanced metrology and insitu monitoring tools
next generation pad, pitch, slurry, and consumable technologies
equipment or software capabilities that improve stability, predictability, and throughput
Education and Experience
BS, MS, or PhD in Mechanical, Optical, Materials, or related engineering field
Minimum 5 years of experience in optical fabrication, precision machining, grinding, or polishing
Experience in grinding mechanics, polishing processes, metrology interpretation, and process development
Demonstrated ability in structured problem solving, data analysis, RCA, and process improvement
Skills
Strong understanding of grinding and polishing mechanics and material removal behavior
Proficiency with interferometry, profilometry, and surface inspection tools
Experience using JMP, Minitab, or equivalent statistical software
Strong communication, cross functional collaboration, and leadership in a production environment
Ability to manage multiple priorities under time sensitive conditions
Demonstrated capability in 6P readiness, structured RCA, and verification driven corrective action
Physical Requirements
Work includes time spent on the fabrication floor, interaction with metrology equipment, and periods of standing or walking. The role may require lifting materials up to 20 pounds. Visual acuity for inspection tasks is required. The environment includes exposure to noise, vibration, and manufacturing equipment while wearing appropriate PPE.
You must be work authorized in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship
Additional Responsibilities:
There is potential for exposure to strong magnetic fields, high voltage and currents.
This position requires access to controlled technology, as defined in the United States Export Administration Regulations (15 C.F.R. 730, et seq.). Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to access such controlled technology prior to beginning work. Business demands may require ASML to proceed with candidates who are immediately eligible to access controlled technology.
Inclusion and diversity
ASML is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that inclusion and diversity is a driving force in the success of our company.
Need to know more about applying for a job at ASML? Read our frequently asked questions.
Request an Accommodation
ASML provides reasonable accommodations to applicants for ASML employment and ASML employees with disabilities. An accommodation is a change in work rules, facilities, or conditions which enable an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform the essential functions of a job, and/or enjoy equal access to the benefits and privileges of employment. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete an application, participate in an interview, or otherwise participate in the employee pre-selection process, please send an email to to initiate the company's reasonable accommodation process.
Please note: This email address is solely intended to provide a method for applicants to initiate ASML's process to request accommodation(s). Any recruitment questions should be directed to the designated Talent Acquisition member for the position.