Microelectronic Technician 1 / Semiconductor Equipment Support Technician

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Microelectronic Technician 1 (Semiconductor Equipment Support)

Requisition Overview Details Job ID 2092 Position Title Microelectronic Technician 1 / Semiconductor Equipment Support Technician Openings 2 Location Manhattan Beach, CA (1 Space Park) Work Arrangement 100% Onsite (Cleanroom / Lab / Fab) Employment Type Contract Only (40 Hours/Week) Contract Duration October 26, 2026 - October 25, 2027 (1-Year Contract) Shift Schedule Other / Operational Shift Schedule U.S. Citizenship Required Security Clearance Not Required

Position Overview

Northrop Grumman is seeking a Microelectronic Technician 1 / Semiconductor Equipment Support Technician to support advanced semiconductor fabrication operations at its 1 Space Park facility in Manhattan Beach, California.

In this role, you will perform preventive and corrective maintenance across a broad portfolio of semiconductor manufacturing equipment in a dynamic production and R&D environment. You will diagnose and resolve complex mechanical, electrical, vacuum, pneumatic, and control system issues while collaborating directly with process engineers, researchers, and tool owners to maximize equipment uptime.

Key Responsibilities

• Preventive & Corrective Maintenance: Perform scheduled maintenance (PM) and unscheduled repairs on semiconductor fabrication and R&D tools, including:

• Photolithography: Steppers, coaters, and developers

• Thin Films / Deposition: Sputters and evaporators

• Etch & Implant: Dry/wet etchers and ion implanters

• Packaging / Back-End: Dicing saws and related wafer prep tools

• Multidisciplinary Troubleshooting: Diagnose and repair electromechanical, high-vacuum, pneumatic, and basic software/control system anomalies across legacy and custom semiconductor platforms.

• Tool Uptime & Process Engineering Partnership: Work closely with process engineers, researchers, and tool owners to troubleshoot tool issues, minimize mean time to repair (MTTR), and ensure high availability in high-mix, low-volume lines.

• Tool Lifecycle Support: Assist with equipment installation, de-installation, decommissioning, retrofits, hardware modifications, and tool upgrades.

• Vendor & Facilities Coordination: Partner with OEM field service engineers, equipment vendors, and internal facilities teams during major overhauls and maintenance events.

• Inventory & Maintenance Tracking: Document all maintenance logs, downtime events, and spare parts consumption in internal tracking systems; monitor stock levels of critical consumables, maintenance kits, and safety components.

• Calibration & Metrology Support: Assist with regular equipment calibration routines and parameter verifications.

• Cleanroom & Safety Standards: Strictly observe cleanroom protocols, electrostatic discharge (ESD) standards, and environmental health & safety (EHS) rules regarding hazardous production materials (HPM), compressed gases, chemicals, and high-voltage systems.

• Continuous Improvement: Actively contribute to operational initiatives aimed at increasing tool availability, shortening PM cycle times, and improving equipment reliability.

Qualifications

Basic / Required Qualifications:

• Education: High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

• Experience: 2+ years of hands-on experience in equipment maintenance, electro-mechanical maintenance, or a related technical trade.

• Technical Skills:

• Strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting aptitude.

• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret schematics, wiring diagrams, pneumatic diagrams, and technical manuals.

• Working familiarity with vacuum pumps (roughing, turbo, cryo), gas delivery lines, and cleanroom operating standards.

• Operational Readiness: Demonstrated ability to work independently in a fast-paced research/prototyping environment and comfortably adapt to frequent tool changeovers.

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship is strictly required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Technical Degree: Associate degree or vocational certification in Mechatronics, Electronics, Electrical Technology, or a related technical discipline.

• Semiconductor Background: Prior hands-on experience servicing semiconductor fabrication equipment in a cleanroom environment.

• Process Knowledge: Experience with legacy tools, wet chemical benches, and dry etch/plasma systems.

• EHS & Hazardous Materials: Direct training or exposure to hazardous gas handling, chemical safety, lock-out/tag-out (LOTO), and high-voltage safety practices.

• Environment: Experience supporting low-volume, high-mix R&D or pilot-line environments.

Core Competencies & Skill Matrix

• Semiconductor Equipment Maintenance • Mechanical & Electrical Troubleshooting • High-Vacuum & Roughing Systems • Pneumatics & Gas Flow Systems • Cleanroom Protocol & Protocols (Class 10/100) • Schematics & Blueprints Interpretation • Equipment Calibration & Alignment • Hazardous Materials / High-Voltage Safety • PM Scheduling & Downtime Logging • Continuous Process Improvement