Internship - Plasma and Laser Physics Engineer

​Introduction

ASML US, including its affiliates and subsidiaries, bring together the most creative minds in science and technology to develop lithography machines that are key to producing faster, cheaper, more energy-efficient microchips. We design, develop, integrate, market and service these advanced machines, which enable our customers - the world’s leading chipmakers - to reduce the size and increase the functionality of their microchips, which in turn leads to smaller, more powerful consumer electronics. Our headquarters are in Veldhoven, Netherlands, and we have 18 office locations around the United States including main offices in Chandler, Arizona, San Jose and San Diego, California, Wilton, Connecticut, and Hillsboro, Oregon.

Internships are expected to be on-site and last for 12 weeks.

Job Mission

Cymer is an independently operated business within the ASML group that develops, manufactures and services deep-ultraviolet (DUV) light sources. The product portfolio includes excimer lasers using argon fluoride (ArF) or krypton fluoride (KrF) gases to generate light in the deep-ultraviolet spectrum. These lasers generate the light that photolithography scanners use to image patterns on silicon wafers. The research, development and manufacturing of DUV light sources is centered in San Diego.

The Discharge Chamber is one of the core modules for DUV light sources, where the discharge plasma is generated to provide DUV light (193nm or 248nm). The development goals include extending chamber lifetime, improving energy efficiency and stability, reducing cost, etc. Achieving these goals requires extensive collaboration among plasma physics, material science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, flow dynamics, and more. If you have a passion for technology and innovation, please join us to develop this complex and challenging DUV discharge plasma chamber!

Job Description

• Intern will develop 0-D (time-dependent)  plasma model for DUV chamber.
• Intern will develop 1-D plasma model including complex plasma chemistry and plasma-surface interactions.
• Model validation strategies will be developed to compare against literature.
• Interns will learn about working in a corporate setting and solving real world problems in a team environment.
• Interns will be required to document and present their findings as well as making an end of summer presentation to the group about what they achieved during their internship.
• Interns need to possess strong ownership characteristics and commitment to achieving results on time.
• Interns need to be willing to be “wrong” at times and be open to the ideas of others.

Education and Experience

• Current active students in PhD and will be graduating at the end of 2025 or 2026.
• Preferred Major/Field of Study: Electric Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Plasma Engineering, Physics or Applied Physics, Chemistry or similar discipline.

Skills & Competencies

• Knowledge of fundamentals of plasma or laser physics
• Advanced training in computational plasma physics. Experience with numerical methods.
• Experience with kinetic modeling and plasma-surface interaction.
• Knowledge of plasma physics fundamentals. Familiarity with nonequilibrium transient plasmas.
• Experience with Cantera, ZDPlaskin or similar software packages.
• Experience with Bolsig+ and LXCat.
• Extensive experience in Fortran and/or Python for development of 1-D plasma model.
• Familiarity with spectroscopy of small molecules and statistical thermodynamics is a plus.
• Multiphysics simulation experience with commercial software such as COMSOL is a plus.
• Experience in collaborative working is a plus

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.
• 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.

The current base annual salary range for this role is currently $17.00  -  $48.00. 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. Our recruiters can share more information about our bonus program, benefits and equity during the hiring process.

Diversity and inclusion

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 diversity and inclusion 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 USHR_Accommodation@asml.com 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.