Customer Engineer

SUMMARY

The Silicon Valley Innovation Center (SVIC) from Pfeiffer Vacuum has been put in place to support our semiconductor customers with quick response time. The Customer Engineering department is the technical arm of the Pfeiffer US OEM Semiconductor sales organization. Our mission is to provide exceptional customer service through pre-sales product configuration selection, new product introductions and sustaining of the full vacuum product portfolio of Pfeiffer Vacuum and Fab solutions at Semiconductors OEMs in the US.

In this role, you are expected to deep dive in vacuum theory and the equipment enabling the use of these theories to produce the most challenging products in the Semiconductor Fab. you will work in close collaboration with the greatest minds in vacuum technology within the global Pfeiffer organization in the US, Europe, and Asia to solve problems and drive projects to closure. You will work, firsthand, on the next generation of vacuum pumps, valves, and gauges. You will get a chance to apply mechanical engineering knowledge to build state of the art setups that highlight our products to our customers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties

• Maintains a high knowledge in the vacuum industry by attending professional conferences, leading seminars with colleagues and building a network with local partners and suppliers.
• Apply initiative to deepen vacuum, process, and business knowledge to SME level.
• Function as the extension of R&D in Europe and US to provide fast and accurate response to all product inquiries while keeping close alignment with product and key account management.
• Work closely with the Key Account Managers and Directors to strengthen technical engagement with our OEM customers by identifying customer product requirements, proposing product solutions, solving technical product problems, attend customer visits, identify new business trends and CIP of current processes and products.
• Take technical ownership of customer projects during all stages of the sales, NPI and sustaining process with utilizing resources in the global organization.
• Apply strong project management skills to ensure stakeholder alignment, collaboration, and meeting customer deadlines.
• Lead and influence stakeholders across the organization by building strong relationships with Market Management, R&D, Product Management, Manufacturing and Sales to bring customer projects to successful closure within the timeline.
• Create and deliver presentations for product demonstrations and onsite customer trainings.
• Organizes, sets up, performs customer demos, installs pumps and components at customer sites.
• Answers customer support request presented by customers or sales colleagues.
• Builds strong relations with customers.
• Build and maintain vacuum test fixtures for SVIC lab.
• Creates CAPEX Justification presentations for new tools and equipment.
• Performs vacuum simulations and Characterization tests.
• Participates in the search for innovative and even disruptive solutions.
• Create test plans and apply DOE principles in product capability verification, reliability, and quality testing.
• Assist in building and maintaining PM and 5S program to maintain lab and facilities equipment.
• 20% expected Travel as necessary involving overnight stays, and occasionally being out of town over weekends.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

80% inside, climate / noise-controlled office, and 20% manufacturing environment or traveling. May be required to work in Cleanroom 100 or 10K in a limited capacity at customer sites. Eye and hearing protection may be required in manufacturing areas; and additional protective clothing may be required when visiting customer sites. Occasional frequent lifting and pushing / pulling up to 60 lbs. without assistance using ergonomic lifting techniques.

Tasks require walking, sitting, bending, reaching, mobility, frequent lifting and pushing / pulling. Work requires computer skills (word processing, spreadsheet, and data-entry), attention to detail and accuracy. Communication skills including listening and speaking are required for interaction with other employees, vendors, and customers. Strong interpersonal skills, the ability to balance multiple tasks and any stress associated with the duties and responsibilities of this position are essential requirements in the performance of this job.

Secondary duties with added requirements may be assigned from time to time.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Company Values

Pfeiffer Vacuum believes that we are all suppliers and customers of someone in our organization. Our employees must be able to demonstrate this customer-centric belief - which means that you are value-adding, reliable, performance-driven, innovative, service-minded, and agile – in all of their business activities. We expect that our company values of open mindedness, trust, communication, thinking strategically / being creative, being courageous, accountable, and humble, ethical sensitivity / compliance, resilience / facing diversity and fostering a culture of empowerment, engagement and collaboration will drive the actions of our employees.

General Qualifications :

Education and / or Experience

BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline; plus 2 to 5 years of experience as a product engineer, application engineer, technical support engineer or service engineer in the semiconductor business with customer facing responsibilities.

2 years of experience managing technical projects serving the semiconductor industry, knowledge of semiconductor processing and manufacturing tools.

Direct vacuum experience is preferred.

Software Skills

Proficient in the use of SolidWorks or similar 3D modelling software. Proficient use of Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project experience is preferred, but not required. MATLAB Experience is preferred.

SAP experience is preferred but not required. Willingness to learn is necessary.

Language Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Mathematical Skills

Advanced mathematics skills.

Reasoning Ability

Able to work in a fast-paced environment, with quickly changing work priorities, and with minimal interaction to complete assignments on time.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Valid driver’s license.

TOOLS AND / OR EQUIPMENT

Fabrication power and hand tools, Multimeters, Oscilloscopes, vacuum gauges, flow gauges, pressure gauges.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This is a hybrid work environment where the incumbent is required to be on site in San Jose, California for 3 days per week. This position may work in various environments including office, factory, or home settings. Employees who choose to work from home are expected to comply with all company requirements for core work hours or in-person attendance at company meetings or events. (As applicable)

Pfeiffer Vacuum is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

If you are an individual with disabilities who needs accommodation or you are having difficulty using our website to apply for employment, please contact Danielle Clair at 530-841-9150.