※日本語は下記参照

Position Overview

As Application Manager Japan, you will play a central role in ensuring the successful implementation and adoption of NFI’s metrology applications across the Japanese market. In this position, you act as a key liaison between customers, the local Japan organization, and global headquarters, ensuring alignment between customer requirements and product capabilities. You will be responsible for overseeing application performance, guiding local teams, and supporting key customer relationships, while contributing to the long-term growth of NFI in Japan.

This role requires a balance of technical expertise, structured leadership, and stakeholder coordination, with a strong focus on reliability, trust, and execution excellence.

Why This Role Is Important

Japan is a strategically important market for Nearfield Instruments. The country is home to some of the world's most advanced semiconductor manufacturers, where customers have exceptionally high expectations regarding quality, reliability, and long-term partnerships.

ポジション概要

日本担当アプリケーションマネージャーとして、当社の計測ソリューション（メトロロジー）の導入および活用が日本市場において円滑に進むよう、中心的な役割を担っていただきます。本ポジションでは、お客様、日本法人、そしてグローバル本社をつなぐ重要な橋渡し役として、お客様のニーズと製品機能の整合性を確保していただきます。また、アプリケーションのパフォーマンス管理、国内チームへの指導・支援、主要顧客との関係構築・維持を担当しながら、Nearfield Instrumentsの日本市場における中長期的な成長に貢献していただきます。このポジションには、高い技術的専門性に加え、体系的なリーダーシップと関係者との調整能力が求められます。また、信頼関係の構築、確実な業務遂行、そして高い品質での実行力を重視しながら業務を推進していただきます。

このポジションが重要な理由

日本は、Nearfield Instruments にとって戦略的に非常に重要な市場です。日本には高度な技術力を持つ半導体メーカーが数多く存在し、品質、信頼性、そして長期的なパートナーシップに対する高い期待が求められています。

Requirements

※日本語は下記参照

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of application performance and customer satisfaction in Japan

• Lead and support customer engagements, including evaluations, demonstrations, and acceptance processes

• Translate customer needs into clear technical requirements and coordinate with global R&D teams

• Drive the adoption of new applications in alignment with customer roadmaps

• Work closely with global functions (R&D, Product Management, Service) to ensure high-quality delivery

• Oversee benchmarking, validation, and quality assurance of metrology performance

• Provide guidance and daily direction to local application engineers and field teams

• Act as a structured escalation point for complex technical matters

• Support the commercial organization with technical input for proposals and customer discussions

• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and new applications

• Ensure proper documentation, reporting, and knowledge-sharing practices

• Contribute to future product and application development in close coordination with headquarters

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Native-level Japanese or JLPT N1 proficiency, with Fluent English communication skills.

• 7–12+ years of experience in semiconductor equipment, metrology, or applications engineering

• Experience with AFM or advanced metrology technologies is strongly preferred

• Proven experience working with Japanese semiconductor customers or within the Japanese market

• Demonstrated ability to guide teams and collaborate within structured organizations

• Strong communication skills with the ability to manage multiple stakeholders effectively

• Structured, detail-oriented, and quality-driven working style

• Comfortable working within an international organization with global reporting lines

• Willingness to travel within Japan and internationally

Preferred Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in Physics, Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field

• Able to build and maintain long-term, trusted relationships with customers

• Possesses a strong combination of technical expertise and business acumen

• Proactive in driving problem-solving and delivering results in a fast-paced, evolving environment

• Enjoys collaborating with multicultural and multinational teams

• Passionate about driving business growth and enhancing customer value in the Japanese market

What We Offer

A high-impact role in a fast-growing deep-tech company

Opportunity to contribute to Nearfield’s growth in a strategic market

Strong collaboration with international teams

Learning and development in a global commercial environment

A dynamic and entrepreneurial working environment

Location

Japan

This position requires frequent travel to major semiconductor industry hubs and customer sites across Japan. Key locations include Nagasaki and other semiconductor manufacturing regions throughout the country.

Nagasaki (Onsite)

Kumamoto (Onsite)

Mie (Yokkaichi)

Iwate

Other customer sites across Japan

Partial remote and work-from-home arrangements available

9:00–17:30

Flexible working hours available

60-minute break

Overtime may be required

Five-day workweek, with weekends and public holidays off

Please note that the holiday schedule may vary depending on the client's calendar.

Benefits & Compensations

Comprehensive social insurance coverage

Commuting expenses reimbursed in accordance with company policy

Relocation assistance, with eligible relocation expenses covered in accordance with company policy when relocation is required upon joining

Annual paid leave in accordance with company policy

Various leave programmes, including maternity leave, childcare leave, family care leave, and bereavement/special occasion leave

Hybrid working arrangements, with remote work available depending on project requirements and business circumstances

***Please note that this position is primarily an on-site role

Flexible working hours, subject to eligibility requirements

Business travel expenses reimbursed

Regular health check-ups

About Nearfield Instruments

Nearfield Instruments (NFI) is a fast‑growing high‑tech scale‑up. We design, develop, integrate, market, and service advanced metrology machines for the semiconductor industry. Our tools enable the world’s leading chipmakers to increase production yield and improve device performance, contributing to the continued scaling of semiconductor technology.

Founded in 2016, Nearfield brings together approximately 500 employees worldwide, combining deep scientific expertise with industrial execution. Our unique, high‑throughput Atomic Force Metrology platform addresses the most advanced metrology challenges in high‑volume semiconductor manufacturing. As our installed base in Japan continues to grow, we are expanding our local service organisation.

Our Values

• Pursuit of Technical Leadership

• Open and Transparent Communication

• Accountability Built on Mutual Trust

• Commitment to Quality and Results

• Continuous Improvement Mindset

• Focus on Long-Term Partnerships

主な業務内容

• 日本市場におけるアプリケーション性能および顧客満足度に責任を持ち、主体的に推進する

• 顧客評価、デモンストレーション、受入試験（Acceptance Process）を含む顧客対応をリードし、サポートする

• 顧客ニーズを明確な技術要件に落とし込み、グローバルのR&Dチームと連携・調整する

• 顧客の技術ロードマップに沿って、新規アプリケーションの導入と活用を推進する

• R&D、プロダクトマネジメント、サービス部門などのグローバルチームと密接に連携し、高品質なソリューション提供を実現する

• メトロロジー性能のベンチマーキング、検証、および品質保証活動を統括する

• 国内のアプリケーションエンジニアおよびフィールドチームに対し、技術的な指導と日常業務のサポートを行う

• 複雑な技術課題に対するエスカレーション窓口として対応する

• 提案書作成や顧客との技術的な議論において、営業チームへ技術的な支援を提供する

• 継続的な改善機会や新たなアプリケーション領域を特定し、ビジネス拡大に貢献する

• ドキュメント管理、レポーティング、およびナレッジ共有を適切に実施・推進する

• 本社との緊密な連携のもと、将来の製品開発およびアプリケーション開発に貢献する

応募資格

必須要件

• 母国語レベルの日本語力、またはJLPT N1相当の日本語力を有し、英語で円滑なコミュニケーションができる方

• 半導体製造装置、メトロロジー（計測技術）、またはアプリケーションエンジニアリング分野において7～12年以上の実務経験をお持ちの方

• AFM（原子間力顕微鏡）または高度な計測技術に関する経験をお持ちの方を歓迎します

• 日本の半導体メーカーとの業務経験、または日本市場におけるビジネス経験を有する方

• 組織的な環境の中でチームをリードし、関係者と協働した実績をお持ちの方

• 優れたコミュニケーション能力を有し、多様なステークホルダーとの調整・関係構築ができる方

• 論理的かつ体系的に物事を進められ、細部への配慮と高い品質意識を持って業務に取り組める方

• グローバルなレポートラインを含む国際的な組織環境での業務に柔軟に対応できる方

• 日本国内および海外への出張が可能な方

歓迎要件

• 物理学、工学、材料科学などの関連分野において、修士号または博士号を有する方

• 顧客との長期的な信頼関係を構築できる方