---
title: 'Defect Inspection Engineer (f/m/d) at Black Semiconductor GmbH'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/defect-inspection-engineer-f-m-d-black-semiconductor-gmbh-aachen-a7mefpyksq9s'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-07'
---

# Defect Inspection Engineer (f/m/d) at Black Semiconductor GmbH

- **Company:** Black Semiconductor GmbH
- **Location:** Aachen, Germany
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-09-04
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-07
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/blacksemiconductor/11c60e98-036a-4ef2-aba9-3f49552b6d95

## Job description

## Your Role

As a Defect Inspection Engineer/Expert, you will be responsible for ensuring the defect-free quality of semiconductor wafers using Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) systems and unpatterned wafer inspection.

You will detect defects such as particles, scratches, haze, and surface roughness that could impact the yield of our integrated graphene photonics process flow. Working in a cleanroom environment, you will collaborate with process, equipment and integration teams to set up, qualify and optimize inspection recipes, troubleshoot issues, and continuously improve defect detection and classification.

## What You’ll Do

- Perform AOI and unpatterned wafer inspection on materials such as bare silicon, epitaxial layers and polished wafers
- Set up, qualify and optimize inspection recipes
- Fine-tune inspection tool and recipe parameters to improve defect-detection sensitivity, inspection quality, repeatability and overall performance
- Analyze defect data to identify trends, root causes and potential process excursions
- Interpret defect data and translate findings into actionable insights for process teams
- Generate defect maps, Pareto charts and reports to communicate findings
- Participate in Design of Experiments (DOE) to optimize inspection parameters
- Troubleshoot inspection-related issues and support continuous improvement in defect detection and classification
- Collaborate with process, equipment and integration teams

## What You Bring

- A bachelor’s degree or above in electrical engineering, materials science, physics or a related field
- 5+ years of experience in semiconductor inspection, with a focus on AOI and unpatterned wafer inspection
- Hands-on experience with unpatterned wafer inspection systems, such as SPx, and AOI tools such as Eagle or Dragonfly
- Understanding of semiconductor process flows, including polishing, epitaxy and cleaning
- Familiarity with defect classification, SEM review and Statistical Process Control (SPC)
- Proficiency in AOI and defect-review software, such as KLA Klarity and Camtek Inspecta
- Ability to optimize inspection tools and recipe parameters for sensitivity, inspection quality and repeatability
- Ability to interpret defect data and identify relevant trends and improvement opportunities
- Proficiency in JMP for statistical analysis, data visualization and DOE
- Familiarity with MATLAB or Python is an advantage
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to collaborate across functions

## What We Offer

- The opportunity to work on defect inspection for an integrated graphene photonics process flow
- A cleanroom-based role with close collaboration across process, equipment and integration teams

Our work culture

People Over Processes. At Black Semiconductor, flexibility is key-we ensure work adapts to life, not the other way around. We champion work-life harmony, where careers are meaningful and enriching. Our processes are human-centric, allowing you to focus on what matters

Let’s grow together. Your potential is our priority. We provide the autonomy to make a lasting impact and nurture your growth through a culture of continuous learning. We invest in your journey for professional and personal development

Your Health and Future Matter. Your well-being is paramount. We offer a comprehensive benefits package with outstanding insurance, pension and virtual stock options for your mental, physical, and financial health. Your peace of mind is our priority - in the present and future

We Live Openness. Collaboration and inclusivity are the cornerstones of our culture. We practice openness, fostering trust and respect. Individuality is our collective strength, fueling innovation and driving us forward

We connect chips – and people. We encourage qualified individuals from any background to apply. We foster an inclusive and supportive work environment that values collaboration, innovation, and growth. Join our team and be part of an organization dedicated to making a difference in the industry

Can you picture yourself in this Role and our Company? Let’s connect!

If your application results in an employment relationship, your Applicant Data will be transferred to our personnel records and processed in accordance with applicable legal requirements; otherwise, your Applicant Data will be retained for up to six (6) months after completion of the recruitment process. Read more about our privacy policy here. https://www.blacksemi.com/privacy-policy

## About Black Semiconductor GmbH

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Black Semiconductor integrates graphene photonics directly onto electronic chips to enable ultra-fast, energy-efficient data transfer between chips.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Startup) – raised ~€25.7M in private investment plus €228.7M in public grants (IPCEI); total funding reported as ~$282M (LinkedIn).
- **Headquarters**: Aachen, Germany
- **Founded**: 2020
- **Founders**: Dr. Daniel Schall and Sebastian Schall

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Semiconductor manufacturing, integrated photonics, graphene-based chip connectivity.
- **Target customers**: B2B – data centers, chip designers, high-performance computing, telecom infrastructure.
- **Mission**: “Inspiring the world to rethink computing” by solving bandwidth and power limitations with graphene optical interconnects.

## Products & Services
- **Integrated Graphene Photonics Platform**: Combines photonics and electronics on one wafer using graphene for high-speed, low-power chip-to-chip communication.
- **FabONE Pilot Line**: World’s first production facility dedicated to graphene photonics (15,000 m² fabrication space, 2,000 m² office) – 300mm wafer pilot production under construction.
- **Applied Nanolayers Acquisition (Mar 2025)**: Brought in-house volume graphene production on 200mm wafers (Netherlands) to accelerate the roadmap.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed.
- **Key Metrics**: Total funding ~$282 M (LinkedIn); €228.7M grant (IPCEI, 2025); 99 employees (+106.2% YoY); 25 active job postings.
- **Notable Investors & Partners**: Vsquared, Cambium, Intel Ignite, RWTH Aachen University.
- **Growth Signals**: SPARK Award 2025 winner; acquired leading graphene specialist Applied Nanolayers; construction of FabONE pilot line; fast headcount growth and international presence (11 countries).

## Competitive Advantages
- **Graphene-based BEOL integration** – only material with the temperature budget, devices, and compatibility to allow back-end-of-line photonics integration.
- **CMOS-compatible processing** – seamlessly fits into existing chip production, enabling scalability.
- **Lower power, higher bandwidth** – replaces copper with optical waveguides, reducing latency and energy use.
- **First-mover facility** – FabONE is the world’s first production fab for graphene photonics.

## Strategic Focus
- **Scale pilot line**: Complete FabONE construction and move from 200mm to 300mm wafer pilot production.
- **Secure next funding phase**: €25.7M private + €228.7M grant is drawn; next round underway.
- **Commercialization**: Move from R&D to customer-ready chip connectivity solutions, targeting data center and HPC markets.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: “Rethinking technology requires rethinking corporate standards” – minimal bureaucracy, maximum automation with in-house software tools.
- **Growth**: High-growth startup (106% headcount growth YoY); employees can have outsized impact.
- **Benefits**: Comprehensive insurance (life, incapacity, accident), pension scheme, supplementary healthcare budget, learning & development budget, Rosetta Stone language courses, weekly yoga, monthly vouchers, discount partners.
- **Work Model**: Human-centered – team chooses when, where, and how they work (hybrid/flexible).
- **Team**: 32% technical roles; international team across Germany, Netherlands, US, Finland, etc. Strong ties to RWTH Aachen.
- **Career**: Active hiring (25 open roles) across engineering (lithography, CMP, cleaning), facilities, IT security, finance, and executive support.

## Sources
1. [blacksemi.com](https://www.blacksemi.com/) – Overview, technology, funding milestones
2. [blacksemi.com/about-us](https://www.blacksemi.com/about-us) – Founders, history, Applied Nanolayers acquisition
3. [blacksemi.com/career](https://www.blacksemi.com/career) – Culture, benefits, values
4. [linkedin.com/company/black-semiconductor](https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-semiconductor/) – Employee count, funding, headcount growth, job postings
5. [jobs.ashbyhq.com/blacksemiconductor](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/blacksemiconductor) – Open positions list

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