Matthew Alexander
Project Manager, Samco Inc.
During this interview, we talked to Matthew Alexander, Program Manager at Samco’s U.S. branch, about his journey from physics and the JET Program to supporting sales and customers. He shared how Samco’s teamwork and customer-focused innovation have shaped his career.
Brief History
Aug. 2011 – May 2015
Bachelor’s Degree, Engineering Physics, University of Colorado Boulder
Aug. 2015 – Jul. 2018
Assistant Language Teacher, Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET) (Japan)
Aug. 2018 – Aug. 2022
International Sales Engineer, Samco Inc. (Japan)
Aug. 2022 – Present
Program Manager, Samco Inc. (US)
What originally brought you to Samco, and what has kept you here?
I graduated in 2015 with a degree in engineering physics and a minor in Japanese. After college, I joined the JET Program and moved to a small town in Hyogo Prefecture to teach English. It was a beautiful mountainous area that reminded me of California. I spent three years there and really enjoyed it, but eventually I realized I wanted to return to something more closely related to my studies.
At a post-JET career fair, I ran into a Samco booth and spoke with Junice (HR), who explained what the company does. I had taken courses in plasma physics and solid-state, so I was familiar with some of the concepts already. It felt like a natural fit, and I was curious to learn more about the practical side of things.
What’s kept me at Samco all these years is the quality of coworkers and the versatility of the work. I had a great experience early on working under Uesugi-san—he really understood both Japanese and foreign work culture—and I’ve also enjoyed working with Peter Wood on the U.S. team. He’s passionate and knowledgeable, and that kind of leadership keeps me motivated.
Can you tell us about your journey at Samco so far?
I joined Samco in August 2018 and spent the first few months training, primarily with the R&D department. Early on, I also trained closely with Uberto, a multilingual member of the international sales team, and his manager Uesugi-san. The two of them played a big role in helping me get oriented. Uberto was fluent in multiple languages and gave me a strong foundation in navigating Samco’s global-facing work. Uesugi-san had a deep understanding of both Japanese and international work cultures, which made the learning environment very positive and supportive.
Initially, I expected to move into a research role—maybe joining the R&D team full-time—but after some internal shifts and getting a strong impression of the international sales team, I ended up transitioning into International Sales 1. I wasn’t doing direct sales, but more of a support and coordination role—bridging the U.S. team with the engineers at HQ and working closely with demo, design, and service groups.
During the pandemic, we had to shift how we worked with customers. We started doing virtual FATs, and I often led those sessions. That shift came with its own challenges—translating the in-person inspection process into a clear, detailed virtual experience required a lot of preparation and coordination. Some of the systems we were presenting were complex, so I had to make sure our remote clients could still fully understand what they were getting. It pushed me to sharpen my communication and presentation skills and helped me grow professionally during a time when we were all adjusting to new ways of working. It helped me grow a lot.
Then in 2022, I moved back to the U.S. and joined our Opto Films Lab in Santa Clara. My title now is Program Manager, which is quite a flexible and wide-ranging role—I take on different cross-functional projects that support communication between HQ and the U.S. team.
How has the company (or your team) changed since you started?
There’s been a lot of growth. Our team had some turnover during the pandemic due to retirements and health issues, but since then, we’ve added new people and the team has gotten younger. I used to be one of the youngest—now I’m one of the more senior members, even if it doesn’t feel like it.
The new employees are sharp and motivated. It’s been great to see the team evolve.
What project, milestone, or achievement are you most proud of during your time here?
One of the standout projects was a highly customized 330mm PECVD system we built for a client. It could handle multiple depositions—carbides, nitrides, oxides. It was probably one of the most versatile systems Samco’s ever produced. Being part of that was really satisfying.
Another thing I’m proud of is my work doing employee training. I started doing it informally at HQ, just sharing what I’d learned with new hires, and now it’s part of my regular responsibilities. I try to bring in what I learned from passionate colleagues in R&D and design and pass it on. It feels like I’ve come full circle from my days teaching English on the JET Program. Teaching seems to follow me around—but I enjoy it.
What do you enjoy most about working at Samco?
The variety, not just in the systems we build, but in the customers we serve and the applications they pursue. Every system is tailored to meet a different need, whether it’s for a university, a startup, or a medical researcher. Everyone is working on something unique, and their goals vary widely. One day I’m supporting a customer working on plasma processes, and the next it’s someone exploring DNA sequencing. That kind of variety—across industries, customers, and technologies—keeps the job fresh, engaging, and meaningful.
How do you see Samco’s role in the U.S. market today, and what opportunities or challenges do you see ahead?
Samco’s niche is advanced, small-scale semiconductor research and development. Most of our customers in the U.S. are universities and startups, working on new materials or device concepts. The flexibility of our systems really supports that kind of work.
What’s interesting is how some of those university labs eventually spin out companies or go into industry, and they come back to us. There’s a nice pipeline from research to production, and Samco can support both ends.
There are challenges—shifting political priorities and funding—but overall, I think the R&D space in the U.S. is continuing to grow. Plus, as older systems age out, there’s a natural opportunity to upgrade or replace, whether it’s one of our own systems or a competitor’s.
What advice would you give to someone just starting their career at Samco?
Learn the fundamentals—not just of your own role, but how Samco systems work and more about the company overall. You’ll understand your coworkers better and contribute more meaningfully. Samco is the kind of company that supports growth and learning. If you’re curious and proactive, there’s room to grow in many directions.
What are your top spots in San Francisco or nearby?
I live in Marin County, just north of San Francisco. There’s a bakery near my place—Rustic Bakery—that I like to walk to on lunch breaks. Their Mediterranean wrap is my current go-to. I used to love their baguette sandwich with tomato, prosciutto, and mozzarella, but they stopped selling it. I’m still hoping they bring it back someday.
What’s something about your team or work culture at Samco’s U.S. branch that you think others might not realize?
We’ve got a lot of people with cool hobbies. For example, Emet, our East Coast sales manager coaches an ultimate frisbee team that travels out of state for tournaments.
Everyone seems to have something they’re passionate about. As for me, I’ve got two cats—Maple and Walnut. They’re sister cats from the same litter, and they keep me very happy.
Any final words?
It’s been a rewarding experience being part of Samco’s growth in the U.S. Our ability to tailor systems to each customer’s needs makes a real difference. I look forward to continuing to support our clients as they innovate, build, and push their research forward. I’m also excited to see how we continue expanding our reach and improving internal collaboration between teams.
There’s a lot of potential here, and I hope we can keep building on the momentum we’ve gained so far.
Thank you for being a part of the Samco Team!
Interview conducted: May 27, 2025