What are the responsibilities and job description for the Equipment Technician, Plasma Etching, ALE & Ion Milling, Microelectronics Research Center position at The University of Texas at Austin?
Job Posting Title:
Equipment Technician, Plasma Etching, ALE & Ion Milling, Microelectronics Research Center
Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors
All Applicants
40
Non-Exempt
Immediately
Expected to Continue
AUSTIN, TX
General Notes
The Microelectronics Research Center (MRC) laboratories serve users from both universities and corporations across many different fields: electronics, optics, physics, chemistry and astronomy, as well as chemical, mechanical and petroleum engineering. The MRC is more than a clean room with a comprehensive set of advanced nano-fabrication equipment; it is a community of scientists who work together to build advanced technology products and knowledge.
UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
Purpose
The Equipment Technician supports dry etching operations, including plasma etching, atomic layer etching (ALE), and ion milling systems. The technician assists with equipment operation, routine maintenance, and safety monitoring, with emphasis on tool readiness, diagnostics, metrology support, and hardware troubleshooting in a shared‑user cleanroom environment.
Responsibilities
Preferred Qualifications
$48,000 depending on qualifications
Working Conditions
Please mark "yes" on the application for required materials. Failure to attach all additional materials listed may affect candidates being considered for the position.
Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.
Employment Eligibility:
Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.
Retirement Plan Eligibility:
The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
Background Checks:
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
Pay Transparency:
The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
Employment Eligibility Verification:
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.
The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:
Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.
The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.
Equipment Technician, Plasma Etching, ALE & Ion Milling, Microelectronics Research Center
Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors
All Applicants
40
Non-Exempt
Immediately
Expected to Continue
AUSTIN, TX
General Notes
The Microelectronics Research Center (MRC) laboratories serve users from both universities and corporations across many different fields: electronics, optics, physics, chemistry and astronomy, as well as chemical, mechanical and petroleum engineering. The MRC is more than a clean room with a comprehensive set of advanced nano-fabrication equipment; it is a community of scientists who work together to build advanced technology products and knowledge.
UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
- 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage
- Retirement contributions
- Paid vacation and sick time
- Paid holidays
Purpose
The Equipment Technician supports dry etching operations, including plasma etching, atomic layer etching (ALE), and ion milling systems. The technician assists with equipment operation, routine maintenance, and safety monitoring, with emphasis on tool readiness, diagnostics, metrology support, and hardware troubleshooting in a shared‑user cleanroom environment.
Responsibilities
- Operate and monitor dry etching equipment (e.g., RIE systems, ICP reactors, ALE modules, and ion milling tools).
- Train users in equipment operation, tool limitations, and safe use practices in accordance with approved procedures.
- Support routine etching and milling runs and collect basic metrology or performance data using tools such as profilometers, ellipsometers, SEM, and endpoint diagnostics.
- Assist engineers and researchers by ensuring tools are properly configured and operational.
- Conduct diagnostic testing and perform mechanical and electrical troubleshooting, including replacement of RF components, vacuum hardware, gas delivery components, and ion sources.
- Maintain accurate logs of equipment status, alarms, maintenance actions, and usage.
- Support tool qualification, calibration, and preventive maintenance activities.
- Safely handle toxic and corrosive process gases, including cylinder exchanges, leak checks, and alarm response, following standard operating procedures.
- High School diploma or GED
- Minimum of 4 years of skilled construction and maintenance of equipment that includes 2 years of experience in semiconductor, plasma, or ion beam processing environments.
- Familiarity with vacuum systems, RF power supplies, gas delivery systems, and cleanroom protocols.
- Basic understanding of dry etching or ion milling equipment operation and performance indicators.
- Experience working with toxic gas systems, safety interlocks, and emergency response procedures.
Preferred Qualifications
- Associate degree in electronics, engineering technology, materials science, or a related technical field.
- Experience supporting RIE, ICP, ALE, or ion milling tools in a research or pilot‑line cleanroom environment.
- Prior hands‑on experience with preventive maintenance execution and component replacement.
- Experience in a shared‑user academic or national laboratory facility.
$48,000 depending on qualifications
Working Conditions
- May work around chemical fumes
- May work around standard office conditions
- May work around chemicals
- May work around electrical and mechanical hazards
- Use of manual dexterity
- Climbing of stairs
- Climbing of ladders
- Lifting and moving
- Occasional weekend, overtime and evening work to meet deadlines
- Field work as necessary
- Cleanroom Environment
- Yellow lighting in Lithography areas
- Noisy environment
Please mark "yes" on the application for required materials. Failure to attach all additional materials listed may affect candidates being considered for the position.
- Resume/CV
- 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor.
- Letter of interest
Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.
Employment Eligibility:
Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.
Retirement Plan Eligibility:
The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
Background Checks:
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
Pay Transparency:
The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
Employment Eligibility Verification:
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.
The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:
- E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
- Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
- Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.
The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.
Salary : $48,000