Principal Engineer, Thermal & Fluids Systems
Asml· Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment· Sep 18, 2026 · 1mo ago
San Diego, CA, USA
In office
Full-time
Principal
$160K–$221K
10+ years exp
Job description
Introduction to the role
Laser-Produced Plasma EUV is generated by firing high energy laser pulses at tin droplet targets at kilohertz repetition rates. The resulting plasma pulses create both desired EUV light, and undesired Tin debris in the form of ballistic particulates and atomic vapor. If unabated, the Tin debris will coat all surfaces in the vessel, including optical components, impacting the transmission of EUV and Laser light.
We are looking for a Technical Lead. The objective is to identify technologies and design concepts that can be developed to address undesired tin debris using thermal and flow schemes, and partner with Project Management to ensure delivery of robust product solutions. The successful candidate will be a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual with a broad technical background, excellent communication skills, and ability to influence others. As a Technical Lead you will work with a team of highly professional engineers and scientists with diverse academic backgrounds and many years of experience. Your job is to provide technical leadership to the team to deliver practical solutions to enable this complex function.
Role and responsibilities
Own and be the technical leader within the delivery team for technical solutions and required hardware related to tin mitigation. Confer with FEA/CFD analysts and use engineering knowledge and intuition to convince high level stakeholders of the right technical program direction.
Hands-on engineering leader that identifies and drives execution of concepts that can address thermal, flow, and mechanical performance gaps; assesses technology maturity and defines the development and engineering work breakdown for execution by cross-functional teams of seasoned scientists and engineers.
Leads architecture and prototyping definition; develops and provides recommendations for practical tradeoffs between the optimal technical approach vs practical engineering solutions; works with cross-functional teams of mechanical engineers, materials scientists, electrical and software engineers to develop solutions to roadmap.
Develops and maintains sub-module specification document tree; writes and/or reviews key specification and design documentation, coordinates key reviews with Systems Engineering and Project Stakeholders to ensure functional specifications are aligned to system requirements.
Defines Test Protocols; analyzes test data; makes recommendations based on test results for design changes and operational changes to deliver improved performance of sub-modules.
Assesses technology and project risks and defines risk mitigation strategies and approaches with the project leadership team.
Mentors, coaches and oversees the activity of more junior engineers and Competence organizations.
Negotiates interfaces and performance / industrialization specifications between related sub-functions and systems engineering.
Define and continuously update sub-function roadmaps for future products.
Hands-on experience with hardware, testing, prototyping and system troubleshooting.
Experience with the entire product development lifecycle.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Education and experience
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical or Materials) or related technical discipline. Thermodynamics, materials and fluid dynamics emphasis preferred. MS or PhD strongly preferred.
10 years of relevant experience.
6 years (MS) / 3 years (Ph.D.) of experience in a technical leadership role, with direct experience in theoretical or practical thermodynamics and fluid dynamics.
Interpretation and application of CFD results to guide hardware and process optimization.
Familiarity with heat transfer analysis and methodologies.
Experience with materials in extreme environments and interactions with liquid metals.
Experience with thermal and gas flow elements of process chamber design.
Previous role(s) in Technology, Process and/or Engineering Design of Semiconductor processing equipment a strong plus.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to translate, statistically analyze data, and effectively report problems through written and/or graphical formats.
Excellent customer service skills, with an advanced understanding of customer relationship building.
Ability to carry a product design from conception into production.
Project Engineering experience including leading small technical teams is desirable.
Ability to cross functional boundaries to build relationships with all areas in the company, to understand and reconcile higher level company and customer needs.
Skills
Passion for commercialization and driving innovation at a rapid pace.
Highly motivated, enthusiast, flexible and a good communicator.
Think broad, learn fast, take responsibility, act decisively and show critical sense.
Experience with product lifecycle management, including roadmap definition.
Ability to initiate, influence and drive.
Other Information
This position is located on-site in San Diego, CA. It requires onsite presence to attend in-person work-related events, trainings and meetings and to further ensure teamwork, collaboration and innovation.
A flexible workplace arrangement may be available to employees working in roles conducive to remote work (up to two days a week).
Routinely required to sit; walk; talk; hear; use hands to keyboard, finger, handle, and feel; stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, reach, and stretch. Occasionally required to move around the campus.
Occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Must be willing to work in a clean room environment, wearing coveralls, hoods, booties, safety glasses and gloves for entire duration of shift.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee routinely is required to sit; walk; talk; hear; use hands to keyboard, finger, handle, and feel; stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, reach, and stretch.
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The current base annual salary range for this role is currently:
$160,400-220,550
Pay scales are determined by role, level, location and alignment with market data. Individual pay is determined through interviews and an assessment of several factors that that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to job-related skills, relevant education and experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and pay relative to other team members.
The Company offers employees and their families, medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are able to participate in the Company’s 401k plan. Employees will also receive eight (8) hours of vacation leave every month and (13) paid holidays throughout the calendar year. For more information, please contact the Recruiter or click on this link Compensation & Benefits in the US .
All new ASML jobs have a minimum application deadline of 10 days.
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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Dental
Vision
401k