Experienced Defect Control Engineer

Samsung Electronics is hiring an Experienced Defect Control Engineer. It pays $95k-$120k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on Samsung Electronics.

Level's read on this job

Level rates this role Little AI ●○○○: aI is not part of the work.
The posting mentions Kla Tencor, Amat and root cause analysis among its tools and skills.
Level classes it as a senior role.
Samsung Electronics has 621 other open roles on Level.

AI in this role

Lead defect excursion identification, root cause analysis, and cross-functional containment strategies for semiconductor manufacturing.

Kla TencorAmat

root-cause-analysisdefect-controlmetrologyyield-engineeringstatistical-process-control

About Samsung Austin Semiconductor
Samsung is a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, founded on the belief that the pursuit of excellence creates a better world. At Samsung Austin Semiconductor, we are Innovating Today to Power the Devices of Tomorrow.

Come innovate with us!

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly analytical and driven Defect Control Engineer to join our world-class semiconductor fabrication team in Taylor, Texas. In this critical role, you will serve as the primary guardian of wafer quality, responsible for the rapid identification, containment, and eradication of defect excursions. You will operate at the intersection of Metrology, Unit Process groups (Photo, Etch, etc) and Yield Engineering. When causes are unknown, or containment is not established you will lead cross-functional teams to solve complex technical puzzles. The ideal candidate is a proactive problem solver who can thrive in a fast-paced environment and possesses the leadership skills to drive technical alignment across multiple departments to ensure zero defective wafers escape the factory.

Role and Responsibilities

Here’s What You’ll Be Responsible For:

Excursion Escalation: Lead the rapid identification and classification of defect excursions using advanced metrology tools (e.g., KLA-Tencor, AMAT) to determine defect morphology and distribution.
Root Cause Analysis: Spearhead deep-dive investigations into unknown defect sources, utilizing a data-driven approach to isolate the specific tool, process step, or material causing the excursion.
Cross-Functional Leadership: Chair and facilitate "War Room" meetings with Process, Integration, and Equipment engineers to drive containment/inspection strategies and accelerate time-to-source for suspected yield impacting events
Standards & Rules: Develop and validate enhancements to SOPs for Shift Technicians to ensure correct decision making & rapid containment to maintain world-class quality standards.
Knowledge Management: Document defect signatures and image databases and maintain source libraries, and failure modes to create a robust knowledge base for faster identification of recurring issues.
Preventative Strategy: Partner with Unit Process owners to implement corrective actions and factory-wide strategies to prevent defect reoccurrence and reduce variation in yield.
Out of Control Assessments: Collaborate with the Metrology and Defect Engineering to ensure statistical process limits are appropriate and items of concern are flagged.

Skills and Qualifications

Here's what you'll need:

Bachelor’s of Science in Engineering or related field.
Minimum 3 Years Semiconductor or Quality Management Role.
Familiar with Structured Problem Solving (SPS) and methods of identifying Defect Root Cause (or similar experience driving investigation to root cause in other areas).
Experience in Quality Control Systems and Methods (Six Sigma, SPC, QMS, ISO 9000, etc.).

The current base salary range for this role is between $95,000 - $120,000. Individual base pay rates will depend on factors including duties, work location, education, skills, qualifications and experience. Total compensation for this position will include a competitive benefits package and may include participation in company incentive compensation programs, which are based on factors to include organizational and individual performance.

Total Rewards
At Samsung Austin Semiconductor, base pay is just one part of our total compensation package. The base compensation for this role will depend on education, experience, skills, and location.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Life insurance and 401(k) matching with immediate vesting
Onsite café(s) and workout facilities
Paid maternity and paternity leave
Paid time off (PTO) + 2 personal holidays and 10 regular holidays
Wellness incentives and MORE

Eligible full-time employees (salaried or hourly) may also receive MBO bonuses based on company, division, and individual performance.

All positions at Samsung Austin Semiconductor are full-time on-site.

Trade Secrets
By submitting an application, you agree not to disclose to Samsung or induce or encourage Samsung to use any confidential or proprietary information (including trade secrets) belonging to a current or former employer or other entity.

* Please visit Samsung membership to see Privacy Policy, which defaults according to your location. You can change Country/Language at the bottom of the page. If you are European Economic Resident, please click here.

* Samsung Electronics America, Inc. and its subsidiaries are committed to Equal Employment Opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

How we rate this

Experienced Defect Control Engineer at Samsung Electronics rates 0 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Little AI (AI Level 1 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.

Classification

Little AI. AI is not part of the work.

●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
●○○○ Little AI0 to 39

Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.

Key facts

Experienced Defect Control Engineer is an open job at Samsung Electronics.
Level rates this role AI Level 1 of 4: Little AI.
The listed salary is $95k-$120k a year.
The role is based in 1530 FM 973 Taylor, TX, USA.
The job was posted on October 13, 2026.
Seniority: senior.
Applications are handled by Samsung Electronics. Apply on Samsung Electronics

Prepare for this job

Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.

Skills and AI tools this role asks for

Root Cause AnalysisDefect ControlMetrologyYield EngineeringStatistical Process ControlKla TencorAmat

Questions you could be asked

Tell me about a project where root cause analysis was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where defect control was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where metrology was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where yield engineering was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where statistical process control was part of your work. What did you do?

Adapt your resume

List these exact terms on your resume: Root Cause Analysis, Defect Control, Metrology, Yield Engineering, and Statistical Process Control. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them. A tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.

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