About this Manufacturing – Production Engineer (Optics) - Linkou role at ASML
Introduction to the job
ASML’s Production Engineer Team in Linkou supports the mature product portfolio—including PAS5500, YieldStar (YS), Reticle Handler (RH), and XT—with over 450 engineers across electrical, software, mechanical, mechatronics and system specialties.
The team combines the strengths of Development & Engineering (D&E), Manufacturing, and Customer Support to ensure stable factory output, rapid issue resolution, and structural improvements across mature system generations.
As a Production Engineer (Optics), you will focus on optical module preparation, alignment, calibration, troubleshooting, and system-level optical behavior that impacts factory output. This role emphasizes hands-on optical module diagnostics, problem-solving, production support, and close collaboration with multidisciplinary engineering teams to drive structural improvements and prevent repeat failures.
Role and responsibilities
Optical Module Troubleshooting & Analysis
Diagnose optical issues across PAS5500/YS/RH/XT modules, including illumination paths, imaging modules, optical sensors, interferometric components, and alignment/calibration fixtures.
Perform optical alignment checks, optical path inspection, contamination evaluation, and basic interferometric or reflective diagnostics.
Investigate light source stability issues, optical throughput variations, imaging behavior deviations, sensor accuracy concerns, and calibration failures.
Optics-Related Production Support
Support factory integration activities involving optical modules, lens assemblies, optical stages, scanning/measurement submodules, and sensor-based calibration processes.
Execute optical calibration sequences and assess calibration result quality.
Provide clear containment actions to minimize machine downtime and secure stable production output.
3rd-Line Engineering & Structural Fixes
Collaborate with D&E (Optics/Mechatronics/S&C) on deep-dive investigations into optical behavior deviations or sensing inconsistencies.
Define accurate technical problem statements and support structured root cause analysis (RCA).
Contribute to ECN implementation and ensure solutions resolve structural optical issues.
Documentation & Diagnostic Improvements
Maintain and enhance optical diagnostic procedures, calibration workflows, and troubleshooting guides.
Identify diagnostic gaps and propose improvements in test steps, alignment checks, or optical evaluation criteria.
Improve documentation clarity to support both Manufacturing and Customer Support.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Collaborate with Mechanical, Electrical, Software & Control, Mechatronics, and D&E optical teams to verify findings and drive issue resolution.
Communicate effectively with global stakeholders and ensure proper escalation paths are followed.
Required Qualifications
Education
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in:
Optics / Optical Engineering
Applied Physics (with optical specialization)
Photonics
Electro-Optical Engineering
Optical Science / Optical Technology
Or other optics-related disciplines.
Technical Background
3-5 years of experience in one or more of the following:
Optical module assembly, integration, alignment, or calibration
Optical testing/measurement (laser alignment, imaging, interferometry basics, illumination systems, optical sensors)
Troubleshooting optical modules or sensing components in precision equipment.
Hands-on experience with optical benches, alignment tools, microscopes, or optical inspection equipment.
Understanding of fundamental optics principles: reflection/refraction, imaging basics, tolerancing, alignment sensitivity, contamination effects.
Additional expectations:
Ability to interpret optical measurements and identify abnormal system behavior.
Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills for optical/system‑level issues.
Experience supporting production, manufacturing engineering, or equipment troubleshooting.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with semiconductor equipment, metrology tools, optical modules, or precision machinery.
Familiarity with optical calibration methods, optical inspection tools, or sensor characterization.
Understanding of mechanical–optical interactions and tolerance stack‑up behavior.
Exposure to engineering change processes, structured RCA, or reliability improvement initiatives.
Basic scripting (MATLAB/Python) for optical data analysis is a plus, but not required.
Other Information
This role may require occasional weekend support to meet business and production needs. On average, such support is scheduled approximately once every two months and will involve working on either a Saturday or a Sunday (one day only, not both) at the Linkou Factory. Any weekend support requirements will be planned and communicated by the team in advance. Compensation will be provided in accordance with company policy.
This position requires access to controlled technology, as defined in the United States Export Administration Regulations (15 C.F.R. § 730, et seq.). Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to access such controlled technology prior to beginning work. Business demands may require ASML to proceed with candidates who are immediately eligible to access controlled technology.
Inclusion and diversity
ASML is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that inclusion and diversity is a driving force in the success of our company.
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