Associate FIB-SEM Engineer

MITRE; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 80,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

MITRE’s Electronic Systems Security group seeks engineers/scientists focused on microelectronics processing to support national-security-relevant R&D. You will work on embedded security, collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams to advance state-of-the-art analysis and countermeasures.

The role involves hands-on sample prep, TEM lamellae work, and FIB/PFIB tooling, with emphasis on documentation, process improvements, and safe laboratory practice. On-site requirement applies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical/ChE/Materials Science/Physics or related field.
• Experience with FIB-SEM and/or PFIB-SEM and sample prep.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Participate in teams performing security assessments of embedded systems.
• Delayer, cross-section, prepare TEM lamellae, and perform circuit edits on chips using FIB/PFIB; image with SEM and optical microscopy.
• Prepare samples for FIB-SEM (polishing, sputter coating).
• Target specific chip areas under direction of the microelectronics team.
• Contribute to lab safety and prevent downtime through maintenance and vendor coordination.
• Document processes, support cross-training, and drive improvements.

Skills

FIB-SEM

communication skills

independent & team work

attention to detail

notebook & reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's or PhD in Engineering/Materials/Physics

Tools

FIB-SEM equipment

PFIB-SEM equipment

TEM lamellae preparation

Job description

At MITRE, your passion fuels work that impacts our nation and improves lives. This is where your skills strengthen national security, cybersecurity, health, transportation, and citizen services. We’re a nonprofit engineering, applied research, and advanced technology organization working in the public interest. With objectivity and integrity at our core, we lead federally funded research and development centers for U.S. government agencies – collaborating with industry and academia to deliver integrated, high-impact solutions that advance our nation’s health, security, and prosperity. Our people tackle the toughest technical challenges, supported by competitive benefits, meaningful career development, and a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence. Choose MITRE for a career with purpose — and help shape the future.

MITRE’s Electronic Systems Security department is seeking to hire talented and creative professionals with backgrounds in engineering and/or physical sciences and a focus on microelectronics processing to support several different advanced research and development projects of national significance. Qualified candidates will join a team of technical experts in microelectronics security, collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams to advance the state-of-the-art in embedded security. Our diverse set of sponsors and research objectives provide a wide variety of interesting work opportunities.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Participate in teams that perform hands-on security assessments of embedded systems, and develop new approaches and countermeasures for emerging physical threats to embedded systems.
• Delayer, cross-section, prepare TEM lamellae, and perform circuit edit on chips using state-of-the-art FIB and PFIB systems. Image chips with SEM and optical microscopy.
• Prepare samples for FIB-SEM, e.g. mechanical polishing and sputter coating with thin conductive materials.
• Target specific areas on chips with advanced navigation, per instructions from the microelectronics analysis team.
• Safety - Contribute to a safe laboratory working environment.
• Monitor tool performance and work with tool vendors for preventative maintenance and emergency repair.
• Contribute to process improvements, documentation, and cross-training.

Basic Qualifications

• Typically requires less than 1 year of related experience with a related bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
• Experience with FIB-SEM and/or PFIB-SEM, and the associated sample preparation.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Attention to detail.
• Prolific at recording technical information in notebooks and internal reports.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance. Per the U.S. Government’s eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance.
• This position has an on-site requirement of 5 days a week on-site

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or a related field.
• Experience with semiconductor reverse engineering and/or failure analysis methods and equipment, such as wet chemistry, vacuum equipment, reactive ion etchers, micro/nanofabrication tools, failure analysis tools, CAD navigation, precision milling and polishing stations, optical microscopy, IR microscopy, and mechanical tools.
• Active security clearance.

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):

None

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):

Secret

Salary compensation range and midpoint

$80,400 - $100,500 - $120,600 Annual

Work Location Type

Onsite

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.

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