At ASML, I was part of the mechanical engineering team working on the YieldStar 500 system — an advanced metrology solution for the semiconductor industry. This project offered a unique combination of design work, collaboration, and hands-on involvement in a high-tech cleanroom environment.

Engineering within a complex organization

The YieldStar 500 project required close alignment between multiple disciplines and teams within ASML. In my role, I collaborated with mechanical engineers, system engineers, manufacturing, assembly, and test teams. This multidisciplinary cooperation was essential to correctly integrate technical decisions into the overall system and to ensure consistency between design intent and execution.

Responsibilities and involvement

  • Supporting the mechanical design of subsystems and components within the YieldStar 500 platform.
  • Aligning with various internal stakeholders to validate design decisions against system-level and manufacturing requirements.
  • Active participation in cleanroom assembly and testing activities.
  • Building hands-on insight into tolerances, fits, and assembly sequences by working directly with the machines.
  • Feeding back findings from assembly and testing into engineering for further optimization.

From design to reality

Working in the cleanroom proved to be a valuable extension of my engineering role. By being directly involved in assembly and testing, I gained deep insight into how design choices translate into real-world execution. This created a strong link between CAD, documentation, and actual machine build-up, enabling fast and well-substantiated feedback for design improvements.

Added value and experience

This experience at ASML significantly deepened my understanding of high-tech system development. Operating within an organization with extremely high standards for quality and precision taught me to work in a structured manner, communicate clearly across disciplines, and take responsibility for both technical content and collaboration. It was an intensive and highly educational period that has had a lasting impact on my engineering approach.