Customer Engagement Applications Engineer – Advanced Semiconductor Process Solutions (Southern California)

About brighthush – Pioneering the Future of Electronics

At brighthush, we turn the invisible world of atoms and photons into the powerful devices that drive modern life. From AI‑powered data centers to autonomous vehicles, our cutting‑edge inspection, metrology, and analytics platforms enable semiconductor manufacturers to push the limits of performance, yield, and cost‑efficiency. With a heritage of innovation that spans electron optics, photon optics, machine learning, and advanced data analytics, brighthush is the trusted partner for the world’s most demanding chip makers.

Our Semi PC business unit designs, builds, and sells a comprehensive portfolio of solutions that help customers meet the highest quality standards across logic, memory, specialty semiconductors, advanced packaging, and more. The SPTS Division—our wafer‑processing arm—delivers market‑leading silicon etch, dielectric etch, dry‑release etch, PVD, PECVD, and molecular vapor deposition (MVD®) technologies for research labs, pilot lines, and high‑volume production facilities worldwide.

With manufacturing hubs in Newport, United Kingdom, and Allentown, Pennsylvania, and a service network spanning 19 countries, brighthush combines global reach with local expertise. We are looking for passionate, technically‑savvy professionals who thrive in fast‑paced, customer‑centric environments to join our team and help shape the next generation of electronic devices.

Role Overview – Customer Engagement Applications Engineer

As a Customer Engagement Applications Engineer within the brighthush SPTS Division, you will be the bridge between our cutting‑edge wafer‑processing tools and the engineers who use them to create tomorrow’s chips. Based primarily in Southern California (Greater Los Angeles area), you will travel to customer sites, install and qualify processes, and provide expert guidance that ensures our solutions exceed performance expectations.

This role is ideal for engineers who enjoy hands‑on problem solving, love collaborating with cross‑functional teams, and are eager to influence the direction of semiconductor manufacturing technology.

Key Responsibilities

• Process Delivery & Demonstration: Design, install, and validate customer‑specific processes on both new and retro‑fitted brighthush systems, ensuring strict adherence to agreed specifications.
• Process Transfer & Qualification: Lead “Process Transfer” activities, documenting all steps, troubleshooting deviations, and achieving successful qualification milestones.
• Continuous Improvement: Refine existing procedures, specifications, and workflows to raise equipment reliability and customer satisfaction.
• On‑Site & Remote Support: Provide on‑site presence for installations, development meetings, and updates; supplement with remote assistance to resolve issues quickly.
• Cross‑Team Collaboration: Partner with SPTS hardware engineers, factory groups, and software teams to guarantee proper tool configuration, timely issue reporting, and smooth qualification timelines.
• Sales Enablement: Work closely with the sales organization to identify new application opportunities, contribute to technical proposals, and support future tool sales.
• Executive Presentations: Prepare and deliver clear, data‑driven presentations for executive reviews, project summaries, and customer briefings.
• Proactive Solutioning: Anticipate customer needs, propose innovative process enhancements, and develop forward‑looking strategies that keep brighthush at the forefront of technology.
• Data Analysis & Reporting: Conduct in‑depth analysis of multi‑variable data sets, applying statistical methods and design‑of‑experiments principles to drive actionable insights.
• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: Coach junior team members, share best practices, and contribute to a culture of continuous learning.

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related scientific discipline (Master’s degree preferred).
• Minimum of 3 years of hands‑on experience in semiconductor process engineering, with a solid understanding of end‑to‑end manufacturing flows.
• Demonstrated ability to work in clean‑room environments and familiarity with analytical instrumentation (e.g., spectroscopic ellipsometry, X‑ray diffraction, SEM).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially PowerPoint and Excel, for creating technical reports and presentations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, capable of translating complex technical concepts for both engineers and executive audiences.
• Willingness to travel up to 60 % of the time, including extended stays at customer sites or overseas locations on short notice.

Preferred Qualifications & Additional Skills

• Experience with Lean, Six‑Sigma, or other continuous‑improvement methodologies.
• Familiarity with AI‑assisted workflow tools (e.g., Microsoft Co‑Pilot) to accelerate data analysis and reporting.
• Track record of delivering successful process transfers for both new product introductions and legacy system upgrades.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting tight deadlines.
• Experience mentoring peers or junior engineers in a technical environment.
• Exposure to advanced wafer‑processing technologies such as PECVD, PVD, or molecular vapor deposition.

Core Competencies & Personal Attributes

• Effective Communication: Articulate technical details clearly to diverse audiences, from line‑operators to C‑suite executives.
• Hands‑On Mindset: “Can‑do” attitude with a willingness to roll up sleeves and solve problems in real time.
• Independent & Collaborative: Thrive when working autonomously and as part of a small, high‑performing team.
• Data‑Driven Decision Making: Apply statistical process control, design of experiments, and root‑cause analysis to drive improvements.
• Adaptability: Comfortable navigating ambiguous situations, shifting priorities, and fast‑changing customer requirements.
• Customer Focus: Demonstrated ability to build trust, manage expectations, and handle challenging situations with professionalism.

Career Growth & Learning Opportunities

brighthush invests heavily in the professional development of its people. As a Customer Engagement Applications Engineer, you will have access to:

• Structured mentorship programs pairing you with senior technical leaders.
• Internal training modules covering advanced semiconductor physics, AI‑driven analytics, and emerging wafer‑processing techniques.
• Opportunities to attend global conferences, industry workshops, and customer symposiums.
• Cross‑functional rotation programs that allow you to explore roles in product development, sales engineering, or service management.
• Clear promotion pathways—from Engineer to Senior Engineer, Principal Engineer, and eventually Technical Lead or Product Manager.

Compensation, Perks & Benefits

brighthush offers a competitive total rewards package designed to attract and retain top talent:

• Base Salary: $102,000 – $173,400 USD annually, commensurate with experience, education, and location.
• Performance Incentives: Annual bonus programs tied to individual, team, and company performance.
• Equity Participation: Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP) and potential stock awards.
• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with company matching contributions.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage; employee assistance program (EAP); wellness initiatives.
• Work‑Life Balance: Generous paid time off, paid holidays, family care and bonding leave, and flexible remote‑work options where applicable.
• Education Support: Tuition reimbursement, student debt assistance, and continuous learning stipends.
• Travel Support: Company‑covered travel expenses, per diem allowances, and accommodations for on‑site assignments.

Culture & Values at brighthush

Our culture is built on four pillars that guide everything we do:

• Innovation: We encourage curiosity, experiment with bold ideas, and leverage AI and data analytics to stay ahead of the technology curve.
• Integrity: Ethical conduct, transparency, and respect for our customers, partners, and each other are non‑negotiable.
• Collaboration: Success is a team sport. We foster open communication, cross‑disciplinary teamwork, and shared ownership of outcomes.
• Customer Success: Our customers’ achievements are our greatest reward. We listen, adapt, and deliver solutions that drive their business forward.

At brighthush, you’ll work alongside brilliant minds from diverse backgrounds, in an environment that celebrates both technical excellence and personal growth. Whether you’re in a state‑of‑the‑art lab in Newport, a customer fab in Southern California, or collaborating virtually with global colleagues, you’ll feel the impact of your contributions every day.

Application Process & Next Steps

If you are ready to take on challenging semiconductor problems, enjoy traveling to customer sites, and want to be part of a world‑class technology leader, we invite you to apply today. Submit your resume, a concise cover letter highlighting your most relevant experience, and any supporting documentation (e.g., technical reports, patents, or project portfolios).

Our recruitment team will review your application promptly. Qualified candidates will be contacted for an initial phone screen, followed by technical interviews, a virtual or on‑site assessment, and a final discussion with senior leadership.

brighthush is an equal‑opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and are committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout the hiring process. If you require assistance, please reach out to [email protected] or call +1‑408‑352‑2808.

Join brighthush – Shape the Future of Electronics

Every chip that powers a smartphone, a data‑center server, or an autonomous vehicle begins its journey with a precise, reliable process. As a Customer Engagement Applications Engineer, you will be at the heart of that journey, turning complex challenges into elegant solutions that enable the world’s most innovative products.

Take the next step in your career. Apply now and become a catalyst for the next wave of semiconductor breakthroughs.