DAVID STRICKLAND
Staff Equipment Engineer | Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment & Automation
Professional Summary
Staff Equipment Engineer with 10+ years of experience designing, modifying, and optimizing precision manufacturing equipment for semiconductor and electronics industries. Proven expertise in analyzing engineering requests, conceptualizing custom equipment solutions, and leading complex technical projects from concept through implementation. Skilled in PLC programming (TwinCAT), electrical/mechanical design, and factory automation integration. Strong track record of mentoring technical teams, reducing operational costs, and implementing innovative solutions that improve manufacturing efficiency and product quality.
Specialized in complete equipment life cycle management including design, installation, qualification, maintenance, upgrades, and decommissioning. Experience spans cross-functional project leadership, vendor relations, technical training program development, and strategic alignment with business objectives.
Core Competencies
Engineering
- ▪Equipment Upgrades, Enhancements and Modification
- ▪Electromechanical System Development
- ▪Electrical Component Integration
- ▪Mechanical Optimization & Troubleshooting
- ▪Engineering Analysis & Problem-Solving
- ▪Concept Development & Prototyping
Automation & Controls
- ▪PLC Programming (TwinCAT, Beckhoff)
- ▪SECS/GEM Development and Integration
- ▪EtherCAT Fieldbus Architecture
- ▪Factory Automation Integration (MES/FDC)
- ▪C#/.NET Equipment Software Development
- ▪Equipment Control Systems
Project & Team Leadership
- ▪Cross-Functional Project Management
- ▪Technical Team Leadership & Mentoring
- ▪Training Program Development
- ▪Vendor Relations & Contract Negotiation
- ▪Cost Reduction Initiatives
- ▪Strategic Planning & Execution
Technical Documentation
- ▪Engineering Reports & Publications
- ▪Best Known Methods (BKMs)
- ▪Standard Operating Procedures
- ▪Work Instructions & PM Schedules
- ▪Technical Presentations
Professional Experience
Qorvo Inc.
GaAs Semiconductor Fabrication | Portland, OR
Staff Equipment Engineer | August 2024 - Present
Equipment Design & Modification
- •Analyze engineering requests from Manufacturing and R&D departments to conceptualize, design, and implement custom equipment solutions for photolithography systems
- •Design and retrofit mechanical, electrical, and software enhancements using C#/.NET and TwinCAT PLC programming to improve equipment up time, reliability, and manufacturing throughput
- •Lead equipment qualification activities ensuring compliance with company goals and quality standards
- •Research and develop electronics and HW solutions to improve legacy machine capabilities meeting modern product requirements
Project Leadership & Technical Innovation
- •Manage complex cross-functional projects including tool installations, large-scale modification projects, retrofits, and new equipment qualifications
- •Engineered factory-wide automated solvent flow monitoring system utilizing Beckhoff PLC and EtherCAT fieldbus with SECS/GEM integration, preventing manufacturing excursions and reducing scrap by 15%
- •Lead equipment lifecycle management from purchase through decommissioning, ensuring optimal performance and longevity
- •Develop and execute cost reduction programs, achieving 20% reduction in operational expenses through internal capability development and vendor contract optimization
Technical Leadership & Mentoring
- •Mentor and train engineering technicians, developing internal capabilities to replace external vendor services
- •Lead peer code reviews and approve engineering changes, ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices
- •Serve as technical resource for equipment troubleshooting, providing guidance on complex engineering problems
- •Deliver technical presentations to internal stakeholders and external customers on equipment capabilities, architecture, and performance improvements
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- •Interface with Manufacturing, Quality, Facilities, and R&D departments to align equipment capabilities with production needs
- •Manage vendor relationships and contract negotiations for scheduled repairs, preventive maintenance, and equipment upgrades
- •Coordinate activities across organizational units to ensure project milestones are met on schedule and within budget
- •Implement SECS/GEM E5, E30, E40, E87, E90, E94, E116 protocols for factory automation and data collection systems
EVGroup Inc.
Advanced Bonding & Lithography Equipment
Sr. Regional Software Support Engineer | June 2018 - August 2024
Equipment Support & Optimization
- •Debugged and optimized equipment control software in C#/.NET, improving Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) by 30%
- •Supported TwinCAT/EtherCAT hardware configuration and SECS/GEM automation integration for customer manufacturing facilities
- •Developed automated diagnostic tools and analysis procedures to accelerate equipment troubleshooting and qualification processes
- •Provided technical consulting on equipment modifications and capability enhancements for North American customer base
Training & Knowledge Transfer
- •Served as North American corporate field service trainer, developing and delivering technical training programs for equipment engineers and technicians
- •Created comprehensive training materials, best practices documentation, and troubleshooting guides
- •Mentored junior engineers and field service personnel, enhancing team technical capabilities and customer satisfaction
Customer & Cross-Functional Support
- •Collaborated with manufacturing customers to optimize equipment performance and resolve complex technical issues
- •Coordinated with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality departments to implement equipment improvements
- •Provided technical recommendations for equipment modifications aligned with customer manufacturing requirements
Veeco/Ultratech
Stepper/Aligner Photolithography Equipment
Sr. System Support Engineer | 2008 - 2018
Equipment Engineering & Automation
- •Developed MFC-based diagnostic and setup tools in Visual Basic and C++ to streamline equipment installation and troubleshooting processes
- •Led factory automation integration projects for global semiconductor manufacturing customers
- •Provided escalated technical support for complex equipment issues, working directly with customers and internal engineering teams
- •Analyzed equipment performance data to identify improvement opportunities and prevent manufacturing excursions
Technical Documentation & Standards
- •Created technical bulletins, Best Known Methods (BKMs), and equipment release notes
- •Created detailed engineering documentation for equipment modifications and process improvements
- •Contributed to equipment design reviews and improvement initiatives
Education
DeVry University
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
GPA: 3.6/4.0 | Dean's List
Relevant Coursework: Software Engineering, Embedded Systems, Control Systems, Digital Logic Design, SQL Database Design and Management
Technical Skills
Engineering Software & Tools
C#/.NET, C++, Visual Basic, TwinCAT PLC, EtherCAT, SECS/GEM Protocols, MES/FDC Integration, Git Version Control
Design & Analysis
Electrical Component Selection, Mechanical Design, Process Optimization, Root Cause Analysis, Failure Mode Analysis
Manufacturing Systems
Factory Automation, Equipment Control Systems, Preventive Maintenance Scheduling, Equipment Qualification
Project Management
Cross-Functional Team Leadership, Vendor Management, Budget Management, Schedule Coordination, Risk Assessment
Key Achievements
Professional Attributes
- ✓Proactive safety and quality advocate with zero safety incidents across 10+ year career
- ✓Strategic thinker with ability to align technical solutions with business objectives
- ✓Strong communicator capable of presenting complex technical concepts to diverse audiences including senior management, customers, and technical teams
- ✓Collaborative team player with proven ability to coordinate activities across multiple organizational units
- ✓Self-motivated continuous learner staying current with emerging technologies and industry best practices