Failure Analysis Engineer

Location: Sherman, TX, United States

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage failure analysis workflows and projects for assigned products or processes, effectively prioritizing and executing multiple complex tasks simultaneously.
• Perform and/or coordinate a broad range of advanced failure analysis techniques, including manual probing, electrical characterization, optical and infrared microscopy, thermal microscopy, focused ion beam (FIB) cross-sectioning, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).
• Serve as process owner for assigned failure analysis tools and techniques, owning method development, documentation, and capability improvement while partnering with Equipment Engineering to troubleshoot and sustain tool performance and reliability.
• Prepare and publish failure analysis reports tailored to technical and non-technical audiences; lead cross-functional root cause investigations; and recommend design, process, and reliability improvements. Present findings to customers as required.
• Apply broad knowledge of products, processes, and analytical techniques to work effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners on complex technical issues.
• Design, implement, and continuously improve failure analysis infrastructure, systems, and procedures to support new products, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Develop new analytical methods, evaluate and procure new equipment and fixturing, and drive improvements to existing FA processes, workflows, and capabilities.
• Track failure modes and maintain failure mode libraries, providing periodic trend analysis and summary reports to the FA Manager and relevant stakeholders.
• Mentor and develop team members, including engineers, technicians, and interns, by providing technical guidance, hands-on training, and formal training materials.
• Identify team development and training needs, create technical training content, and coordinate or deliver training to strengthen overall FA capability.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with internal customers, cross-site peers, and third-party laboratories.

Education & Experience

• Requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree with 9 years related experience, or a master’s degree with 7 years related experience, or a PhD with 4 years of related experience. 

Skills

• Proficiency with standard engineering and data analysis tools, including Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); experience with JMP and image processing software (e.g., Photoshop or equivalent) is preferred.
• Hands-on experience with advanced failure analysis techniques, including optical microscopy, focused ion beam (FIB) and DBFIB, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), including TEM sample preparation and TEM-EDS analysis.
• Advanced understanding of semiconductor device physics and materials, including solid-state and laser physics; experience with III–V semiconductor systems such as GaAs or InP is preferred.
• Strong analytical and root-cause problem-solving skills, with experience applying structured problem-solving methodologies (e.g., fault tree analysis, 8D, or similar) to complex technical issues.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly document analyses, develop technical reports, present findings to diverse audiences, and constructively resolve issues through data-driven problem solving.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams, driving actions and generating solutions that support business unit and organizational objectives.
• Support product reliability, yield improvement, and qualification activities through failure analysis insights. 
• Experience developing, maintaining, and improving technical documentation, procedures, and work instructions in a laboratory, manufacturing, or high-reliability engineering environment.
• Strong time-management and organizational skills, with the ability to independently plan work, set realistic schedules, manage competing priorities, and consistently meet or exceed commitments.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, exercising sound technical judgment when faced with complex, ambiguous, or incomplete information.
• Professional and respectful interpersonal skills, enabling effective collaboration with coworkers, vendors, contractors, and external partners.
• Experience working in laboratory and manufacturing environments, including adherence to safety practices, tool usage requirements, and material handling procedures.

Working Conditions

• Work in a class 1,000/10,000 clean room for extended periods
• Wear cleanroom attire (smock, frocks, mask, etc.)
• Work with and/or around chemicals (such as IPA and Acetone)
• Occasional work outside normal business hours may be required to support a 24-hour manufacturing operation and critical business needs.

Physical Requirements

• Manual dexterity sufficient to grasp, manipulate, and position very small objects (approximately 85 µm in diameter) using tweezers and other precision tools.
• Close visual acuity, with or without corrective lenses, required for activities including preparing and analyzing data; reading and interpreting figures; focusing and viewing microscopic images; visual inspection of small parts and defects; operating precision positioning probes; using measurement devices; and performing assembly or destructive analysis at close viewing distances.
• Ability to distinguish colors to identify defects, features, or conditions on parts and materials.
• Ability to communicate effectively in spoken English, including clearly conveying detailed or important instructions to others in person or in group settings.
• Ability to hear and interpret sounds at normal speaking levels, with or without correction, and to receive detailed information through oral communication.
• Ability to work at a microscope, which may require bending forward at the waist or spine for periods of up to one hour at a time.
• Ability to perform sedentary work, involving sitting and/or standing for up to four hours at a time while working at a workstation, microscope, or solvent hood.
• Ability to walk within the facility, including distances of up to approximately 500 meters, sometimes while wearing required protective footwear or shoe covers.
• Ability to perform light physical work, including lifting, carrying, or moving objects weighing up to 25 pounds over short distances.
• Ability to ascend and descend stairs and ladders as required.
• Ability to occasionally kneel or crouch to reach items below workstations or within equipment enclosures.
• Ability to perform precision manual probing, using both hands and arms, for periods of up to one hour at a time.
• Ability to work safely in environments with potential hazards, including proximity to moving mechanical parts that may present pinch hazards and exposure to chemicals.
• Ability and willingness to wear required cleanroom attire, including gowns and personal protective equipment, for periods of up to four hours at a time.

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to attend scheduled training, follow the site EHS procedures and Corporate EHS standards.  This includes the use of proper protective equipment (PPE) as required by the job responsibilities.

Managers will ensure that all safety and environmental procedures are followed consistently.  They will ensure that risk assessments are performed, proper training, work instructions, required PPE is available, and will monitor compliance.

The following additional safety precautions and personal protective equipment (PPE) are required when performing applicable job duties: 

• Nitrile gloves must be worn when handling isopropyl alcohol (IPA), acetone, wafers, die, or other parts submitted for analysis.
• Laser safety glasses must be worn when testing or working with high-power laser components.
• Safety glasses or goggles (prescription or standard) must be worn when performing tasks such as operating a die punch tool, pouring liquid nitrogen, or cleaning parts with chemicals.
• Thermal (cryogenic) gloves must be worn when handling liquid nitrogen.
• Cut-resistant (sharps) gloves must be worn when handling sharp parts or materials.
• Face shields must be worn when pouring liquid nitrogen or when cleaning parts using chemicals where splash hazards are present.
• Chemical-resistant aprons and gloves must be worn when pouring or handling chemicals.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome

Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

About Us

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!

Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.


A Failure Analysis Engineer applies advanced knowledge of materials science and failure analysis to identify failure modes and root causes, solve problems, and drive continuous process improvement - enabling Coherent, both locally and globally, to fully satisfy our customers.