Sam focuses as he sits at his desk and works on the computer in a self-contained ZEISS office.

ZEISS Stories | Sam

Making the world a little cleaner

A fleeting fingerprint or a tiny speck of dust during production can render high-precision optics worthless, costing thousands of euros in the process. No wonder cleanliness is a top priority for ZEISS semiconductor technology. This is where Sam comes in: As the Sourcing Project Manager Cleaning, he works hand in hand with his colleagues to ensure Oberkochen makes some of the cleanest products in all of Europe – enabling chip manufacturers to make ever smaller, higher performance and energy-efficient microchips.

After graduating, Sam developed high-tech solutions for ultra-high-purity gas and fluid systems at a company in southern Germany. This is where the Master of Engineering graduate, who majored in surface technology and corrosion protection, met his future employer: The ZEISS Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology segment (SMT for short). "There were several factors that motivated me to change jobs. At ZEISS, I work on fascinating high-tech products with global significance. Important decisions are made as a team, while flat hierarchies and the friendly atmosphere facilitate innovative ideas. I have the flexibility to organize my own workload, with the team ready to offer their support whenever I need it."

Within a short period of time, I was able to ramp up efforts in important projects and improve quality standards.

Sam Sourcing Project Manager Cleaning

Sam gesticulates as he casually chats to a male ZEISS colleague. They sit at a desk in front of a screen with video playback in a self-contained office.

Search, find and collaborate

Technically speaking, Sam has several responsibilities all at once. He works with his colleagues to find external service providers around the world for particularly sophisticated applications such as the high-tech cleaning of glass, metal and ceramic surfaces or compliance with the strictest standards in cleanrooms. Once the appropriate experts have been found and assessed, Sam coordinates the workflow between the respective ZEISS departments and the suppliers. Next, he monitors all the steps in the process including all agreed quality and cleanliness specifications. Sam also offers individual suppliers long-term support and development. He really enjoys this part of his work: "I love negotiating especially in challenging situations. It's mainly about quality assurance, logistics and time management here. ZEISS is a popular project partner, and everyone at the table is focused on a goal-oriented solution. This collaboration helps me work more efficiently."

Sam steht lachend am Schreibtisch und arbeitet am Computer in einem separten ZEISS Büro.

Highly qualified cleanliness pros

Sam is not alone here. "We work and make decisions in agile teams – ultimately, we need to answer complex technical questions and also take manufacturing and economic aspects into consideration. Sometimes it's a balancing act but it's always exciting. Our team consists of experts in physics and chemistry as well as business managers who focus on the commercial side. We have the necessary expertise to solve problems right away."

Sam proudly stands in front of his glass-walled office. He grins and looks into the hallway.

The meaning of life and work

What is Sam most proud of? He responds quickly and with a smile and says, "Although I've only been working at ZEISS for a year, I've already ramped up efforts in important projects and improved quality standards for our products and from our suppliers. In a high-tech environment like semiconductor technology, there are many interesting technical parameters that can be optimized,from innovative auxiliary materials through optimized processes to more efficient quality management. Passionate engineers like me can unlock their full potential at ZEISS."