Engineer, Application, SMS

The Application Engineer represents ZEISS Semiconductor Mask Solutions (SMS). The role is mainly supporting both AIMS® (Aerial Image Measurement System, the system for defect review and repair verification), and MeRiT® (the system which repair tiny defects on photomasks using an advanced electron beam (e-beam). This requires technical knowledge of various systems and components and excellent time management skills.

Key Responsibilities:

supporting AIMS®:

• Acts as the first-level application owner for AIMS® at customer production sites, independently diagnosing application issues and driving timely resolution
• Prepares clear, fact-based and technically structured issue descriptions for second-level HQ support, enabling effective root cause analysis and follow-up actions
• Serves as a technical communication bridge between customers and HQ, ensuring customer requirements, application findings and escalation topics are accurately represented
• Leads or supports final Acceptance Test Protocol activities for newly delivered AIMS® systems to ensure readiness for customer use

Delivers customer training on AIMS® system usage, application workflows and released functionalities to improve customer capability and adoption

• Defines, documents and shares AIMS®-related application use cases, customer scenarios and lessons learned to support continuous application improvement
• Develops solution concepts together with HQ Application teams and supports implementation with customers
• Owns tracking of customer action items and open application issues to support disciplined follow-through and timely closure
• Demonstrates and supports rollout of released software, including new functionalities, and explains application impact to customers
• Prepares and delivers application-focused technical presentations to support sales activities, customer discussions and solution positioning

supporting MeRiT®:

• Builds and maintains advanced application knowledge for MeRiT® (with focusing the technical knowledge on e-beam technology and chemical reaction), including customer use cases, production challenges and application-related troubleshooting
• Takes the lead application support role for MeRiT®, coordinating technical clarification, customer communication and follow-up actions
• Leads regular customer technical meetings by summarising issues, providing application feedback and aligning next steps with customers and internal stakeholders
• Provides post-sales application support in close collaboration with HQ, contributing technical input to customer engagement and solution positioning
• Provides responsive technical support to customers through remote and on-site channels, ensuring timely guidance on application-related topics
• Develops and presents detailed application-related technical materials to support sales assistance, customer education and technical decision-making
• Tracks customer action items and open technical issues, driving structured follow-up to support timely resolution and customer satisfaction
• Provides weekly MeRiT® system and application reports to the HQ Application Support team in Rossdorf, highlighting key issues, trends and required support
• Periodical training in HQ (Rossdorf) is required, training period 1-3 months depending on the training subject.
• Requirements :
• University degree or in a relevant technical discipline, preferably in science, engineering, semiconductor technology or a related field
• Major in mechanical, electrical, chemical engineering, physics, optics, chemistry or other semiconductor relevant disciplines is preferred
• Minimum 3 years of relevant semiconductor industry experience, preferably in application engineering, technical customer support, process engineering, lithography, mask inspection or repair-related environments
• Strong technical knowledge of chemical reaction, optics, lithography, e-beam technology and semiconductor manufacturing processes, with the ability to apply this knowledge to customer application issues
• Ability to work independently, prioritise multiple customer topics, make sound technical judgments and collaborate effectively across local, regional and HQ teams
• Strong written and spoken English communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical topics clearly to customers and internal stakeholders
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally for customer support, technical alignment and HQ training as required

Your ZEISS Recruiting Team: Rebecca Felix