Physical Failure Analysis Intern

Job Description

As a PFA Engineer Intern on the Yield Enhancement (YE) team, you will support physical failure analysis of defect issues found by YE and Fab customers. You will learn to isolate, expose, and image physical defects in advanced memory devices, analyze the results to help find root causes, and present clear findings to engineering partners. Alongside daily lab work, you will complete a focused improvement project during the 3-month internship and present the results at the end. You will set priorities following the YE PFA queue, with guidance from a mentor engineer.

Responsibilities and Tasks

Physical Failure Analysis and Investigation

• Performs PFA sample preparation and analysis (e.g., deprocessing/delayering, cross-sectioning, FIB, SEM/TEM imaging) according to area skill guidelines.
• Reviews EFA results, fault isolation data, and probe/yield data to decide where to target physical analysis.
• Identifies and categorizes physical defect signatures using defect references, and helps characterize new or unknown defect types.
• Performs data analysis to support PFA results in pursuit of root cause.
• Summarizes findings in clear reports (images, defect location, likely root cause) and communicates them to part owners and YE/Fab engineers.

Lab Equipment Operation

• Learns to operate PFA lab equipment safely and efficiently, following safety and contamination-control guidelines.
• Builds an understanding of how the equipment works and supports basic troubleshooting with equipment owners.

Internship Project and Continuous Improvement

• Owns a focused, short-term project that fits a 3-month timeline and presents the outcome to the team and leadership.
• Completes all required safety and equipment training certifications defined by area guidelines.
• Builds technical knowledge of device structure, process flow, and failure mechanisms for current and future parts.
• Suggests department improvements and participates in team projects that support department and company objectives.

AI-Enabled Analysis and Productivity

• Uses approved AI and digital productivity tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot) for data analysis, image and report generation, knowledge retrieval, and problem-solving.
• Uses AI tools to speed up documentation, communication, and investigation workflows while keeping data accurate and applying engineering judgment.
• Uses AI technologies responsibly, following company policies, data protection requirements, and intellectual property safeguards.

Schedule
3-month full-time internship, day shift (Monday to Friday).

Benefits
Micron offers medical, dental and vision plans in all locations, income protection programs, paid family leave, a paid time-off program and paid holidays. The Benefits Guide is available at micron.com/careers/benefits.

Micron is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. For assistance with the application process or reasonable accommodations, US applicants can contact Micron's People Organization at [email protected] or 1-800-336-8918 (select option #3).