Failure Analysis Engineer

Coherent • Sherman, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Primary Duties & Responsibilities Manage failure analysis workflows and projects for assigned products or processes, effectively prioritizing and executing multiple complex tasks simultaneously. Perform and/or coordinate a broad range of advanced failure analysis techniques, including manual probing, electrical characterization, optical and infrared microscopy, thermal microscopy, focused ion beam (FIB) cross-sectioning, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Serve as process owner for assigned failure analysis tools and techniques, owning method development, documentation, and capability improvement while partnering with Equipment Engineering to troubleshoot and sustain tool performance and reliability. Prepare and publish failure analysis reports tailored to technical and non-technical audiences; lead cross-functional root cause investigations; and recommend design, process, and reliability improvements. Present findings to customers as required. Apply broad knowledge of products, processes, and analytical techniques to work effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners on complex technical issues. Design, implement, and continuously improve failure analysis infrastructure, systems, and procedures to support new products, materials, and manufacturing processes. Develop new analytical methods, evaluate and procure new equipment and fixturing, and drive improvements to existing FA processes, workflows, and capabilities. Track failure modes and maintain failure mode libraries, providing periodic trend analysis and summary reports to the FA Manager and relevant stakeholders. Mentor and develop team members, including engineers, technicians, and interns, by providing technical guidance, hands-on training, and formal training materials. Identify team development and training needs, create technical training content, and coordinate or deliver training to strengthen overall FA capability. Establish and maintain strong working relationships with internal customers, cross-site peers, and third-party laboratories.

Requirements

• Requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree with 9 years related experience, or a master’s degree with 7 years related experience, or a PhD with 4 years of related experience.
• Proficiency with standard engineering and data analysis tools, including Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); experience with JMP and image processing software (e.g., Photoshop or equivalent) is preferred.
• Hands-on experience with advanced failure analysis techniques, including optical microscopy, focused ion beam (FIB) and DBFIB, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), including TEM sample preparation and TEM-EDS analysis.
• Advanced understanding of semiconductor device physics and materials, including solid-state and laser physics; experience with III–V semiconductor systems such as GaAs or InP is preferred.
• Strong analytical and root-cause problem-solving skills, with experience applying structured problem-solving methodologies (e.g., fault tree analysis, 8D, or similar) to complex technical issues.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly document analyses, develop technical reports, present findings to diverse audiences, and constructively resolve issues through data-driven problem solving.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams, driving actions and generating solutions that support business unit and organizational objectives.
• Support product reliability, yield improvement, and qualification activities through failure analysis insights.
• Experience developing, maintaining, and improving technical documentation, procedures, and work instructions in a laboratory, manufacturing, or high-reliability engineering environment.
• Strong time-management and organizational skills, with the ability to independently plan work, set realistic schedules, manage competing priorities, and consistently meet or exceed commitments.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, exercising sound technical judgment when faced with complex, ambiguous, or incomplete information.
• Professional and respectful interpersonal skills, enabling effective collaboration with coworkers, vendors, contractors, and external partners.
• Experience working in laboratory and manufacturing environments, including adherence to safety practices, tool usage requirements, and material handling procedures.

Nice To Haves

• experience with JMP and image processing software (e.g., Photoshop or equivalent) is preferred.
• experience with III–V semiconductor systems such as GaAs or InP is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage failure analysis workflows and projects for assigned products or processes.
• Perform and/or coordinate a broad range of advanced failure analysis techniques.
• Serve as process owner for assigned failure analysis tools and techniques.
• Prepare and publish failure analysis reports tailored to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Lead cross-functional root cause investigations.
• Recommend design, process, and reliability improvements.
• Present findings to customers as required.
• Apply broad knowledge of products, processes, and analytical techniques to work effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners on complex technical issues.
• Design, implement, and continuously improve failure analysis infrastructure, systems, and procedures to support new products, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Develop new analytical methods, evaluate and procure new equipment and fixturing, and drive improvements to existing FA processes, workflows, and capabilities.
• Track failure modes and maintain failure mode libraries.
• Mentor and develop team members, including engineers, technicians, and interns.
• Identify team development and training needs, create technical training content, and coordinate or deliver training to strengthen overall FA capability.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with internal customers, cross-site peers, and third-party laboratories.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level