Wilton Factory Optics, Chemical Engineer

Introduction to the job

ASML US brings together creative minds in science and technology to develop lithography machines that enable the semiconductor industry to produce faster, smaller, and more energy-efficient microchips.

The Wilton Factory Optical Fabrication organization is seeking a highly motivated and technically skilled Chemical Engineer to own and optimize manufacturing chemistries used throughout the Milling and Polishing operations. This role is responsible for the development, control, qualification, and continuous improvement of coolant systems, polishing slurries, filtration practices, and fluid management processes that directly impact product quality, equipment performance, surface finish, and manufacturing efficiency.

This engineer will partner closely with Production Engineering, Production, Quality, Metrology, Environmental Health & Safety, Supply Chain, Facilities, Maintenance, and external suppliers to ensure robust, safe, and controlled chemical processes supporting world-class optics manufacturing.

Role and responsibilities

CHEMICAL PROCESS OWNERSHIP

• Serve as the technical owner for coolant, slurry, and chemistry processes (including adhesives and release agents) utilized in milling, grinding, generating, and polishing operations.
• Establish, document, and maintain chemical specifications, operating windows, process controls, and reaction plans.
• Develop standard work for chemical preparation, management, replenishment, filtration, changeout, storage, and handling.
• Define contamination control requirements to protect optical quality, machine performance, tooling, and downstream process stability.

PROCESS MONITORING AND CONTROL

• Develop and maintain monitoring systems for key fluid parameters including concentration, pH, conductivity, viscosity, particle size distribution, contamination, microbial growth, and filtration effectiveness.
• Implement SPC and process health monitoring to detect drift before product quality or equipment performance is impacted.
• Analyze trend data and lead corrective actions to maintain stable, capable, and repeatable chemical process performance.
• Define sampling plans, measurement methods, control limits, escalation triggers, and documentation requirements.

MANUFACTURING SUPPORT AND PROBLEM SOLVING

• Provide hands-on engineering support to Milling and Polishing production teams during chemical-related issues, process excursions, and equipment concerns.
• Lead root cause investigations and corrective actions related to surface defects, scratch and dig performance, corrosion, residue, contamination, chemical stability, and process repeatability.
• Partner with maintenance and facilities to improve filtration, circulation, tank cleanliness, delivery systems, and fluid reliability.
• Support rapid containment, disposition, and recovery plans when chemical process upsets occur.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT AND COST REDUCTION

• Lead projects to improve coolant and slurry life, reduce chemical consumption, minimize waste generation, and reduce operating cost.
• Evaluate new chemical formulations, additives, filtration technologies, reclaim methods, and process enhancements.
• Improve optical surface quality, tool life, uptime, and throughput through chemistry optimization and robust process control.
• Use Lean, Six Sigma, DOE, and data-driven methods to deliver measurable and sustainable process improvements.

SUPPLIER, MATERIAL, AND CHANGE MANAGEMENT

• Collaborate with chemical suppliers to qualify new materials and ensure consistent raw material quality.
• Establish incoming quality requirements, certificates of analysis expectations, and supplier performance metrics for critical process chemistries.
• Lead qualification activities for alternate suppliers, new chemical formulations, formulation changes, and process fluid substitutions.
• Support procurement, inventory management, shelf-life control, and risk mitigation for critical chemicals and consumables.

ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH, AND SAFETY

• Champion a safety-first culture and ensure chemical handling, storage, transportation, and disposal practices meet EHS requirements.
• Partner with EHS to maintain SDS documentation, chemical risk assessments, PPE requirements, and regulatory compliance.
• Support waste reduction, chemical exposure reduction, spill prevention, and sustainability initiatives across the operation.
• Train operators, technicians, and engineers on safe and controlled chemical management practices.

Education and experience

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in manufacturing, process engineering, chemical process development, industrial fluid management, or a related technical environment.
• Experience with industrial coolants, polishing slurries, process fluids, cleaning chemistries, and chemical delivery systems.
• Strong understanding of fluid chemistry, contamination control, filtration, chemical compatibility, and process monitoring methods.
• Experience applying SPC, statistical analysis, root cause analysis, and data-driven problem solving in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional problem solving, process improvement, and change management activities.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively with production, engineering, quality, EHS, suppliers, and leadership.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with ability to work effectively across different departments.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results under tight deadlines.

Skills

• Experience in optical fabrication, precision manufacturing, semiconductor manufacturing, advanced ceramics, glass processing, or ultra-precision surface finishing.
• Knowledge of polishing slurry chemistry, abrasive technologies, pH control, particle behavior, corrosion mechanisms, residue control, and surface quality drivers.
• Experience with DOE, Six Sigma, process characterization, capability studies, and process qualification methods.
• Proficiency with JMP, Minitab, Power BI, Python, Excel, or equivalent data analysis and visualization tools.
• Familiarity with coolant reclamation, filtration, centrifugation, ultra-filtration, DI water systems, chemical delivery systems, and waste treatment processes.
• Experience working with SAP, MES, electronic batch records, laboratory information systems, or manufacturing process control systems.

Other information

The physical demands described below represent those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this Process Engineer role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Regular computer work requiring sitting, typing, and precise hand-eye coordination
• Frequent movement within the optics fabrication floor and office environments
• Occasional need to lift or move equipment, tooling, or materials weighing up to 20 pounds
• Required visual abilities include close vision, color differentiation (for inspection and analysis), and the ability to interpret detailed technical information
• Work performed primarily in an optics fabrication environment that may include exposure to noise, vibration, and various processing equipment
• Must be able to wear required PPE (personal protective equipment) including safety glasses, hearing protection, and other protective equipment as required in manufacturing areas
• Ability to analyze complex data, interpret technical documents, and communicate findings effectively
• Capability to respond to production issues in a timely manner, which may occasionally require extended periods of standing or walking through production areas with various fabrication equipment
• Some travel may be required to support global manufacturing and supplier interactions

Additional Responsibilities:

There is potential for exposure to strong magnetic fields, high voltage and currents.

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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Request an Accommodation

ASML provides reasonable accommodations to applicants for ASML employment and ASML employees with disabilities.  An accommodation is a change in work rules, facilities, or conditions which enable an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform the essential functions of a job, and/or enjoy equal access to the benefits and privileges of employment. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete an application, participate in an interview, or otherwise participate in the employee pre-selection process, please send an email to [email protected] to initiate the company’s reasonable accommodation process.

Please note: This email address is solely intended to provide a method for applicants to initiate ASML’s process to request accommodation(s). Any recruitment questions should be directed to the designated Talent Acquisition member for the position.